Skip to main content

When You are Feeling Down, Remind Yourself

By
Sometimes, we need reminders. Even ones that sounds so mundane and repetitive. Maybe even things that you hear from your mother a million times before, maybe even things that your kids can repeat back to you. We need reminders because sometimes we forget. 

I've always felt a little guilty about not being able to bring my kids for overseas trips when their friends are visiting Japan, Hong Kong, Florida and the likes. I don't say it outloud but deep inside, I feel the guilt. Eight years ago, I was making a fair bit of money and did not need to pay for as many things so, I was capable of saving some money every month. 

I saved enough to bring my kids, then 7 and 5, to Hong Kong Disneyland. That's the furthest that I've ever brought them and also the last time we've ever used their personal passports. Their friends also sometimes have the latest gadgets and the more up-to-date computers and games and I feel a pang of jealousy on my kids' behalf. 

I wish I was as rich as some people. I wish that I had someone to rely on instead of being alone in dealing with parenting myself. I wish that there was someone who could really co-parent with my on an everyday basis.

But that's not the case. I am a single parent. Everything is my business. 

Sometimes, when I read the news, it dawns on me that I am not having the worst of times. There are so many people who would give anything to have what I have. I personally, right now, have 2 laptops and 1 personal computer. I have a roof over my head and can afford to put home-cooked food on the table.  I have wi-fi and a relatively new car to drive around in. 

These are things that I should never, ever take for granted because these are my blessings. Blessings that not everyone in this world has. So, today, it is a pretty sobering morning for me as I look at this tweet on my personal twitter account. (I have two because one has too many politicians and public figures following me that I don't want to get too personal on that account)

If you find this blog post and feel the same way I do, remember, someone else is happy with less than you have. 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

R.I.P. to Another Shining Star : Kim Jonghyun

By
Generally speaking, I DO listen to a little bit of Kpop, not always, but when I do, I am almost always enraptured by the countless melodic compositions and ballads. My favorite Korean singer, to this very day, remains to be Sung Si Kyung and Shinhwa. I've also listened to TVXQ, Super Junior, ZE;A and many others. I sometimes search up Girls Generation because I like how the girls' long limbs are almost always so coordinated, they look like clockwork. But that was maybe the problem...the clockwork. Kim Jonghyun, a member of Shinee, took his own life this week, days shy of Christmas and a brand new year. It tears at my heart a little, the same way it did when I found out Chester Bennington ended his own. Shining stars on our planet, blessed with emotional breath so deep that their emotions would often seep out of their skins and spread across the sea of tens of thousands of fans during their concerts and live performances. Even without being in their presence, their songs a...
Post a Comment
Read more

Unsticking yourself from Old Belief Systems

By
It's the raining season over here in Malaysia and going out for anything  can be a hassle, you know what I am talking about Florida, Washington and London. Either you are going to end up completely drenched or your sneakers are going to smell a little funky tomorrow. Today, my son said something to me when I lamented about the rain. ' Mom, we've got enough umbrellas, why is it that we never use them and end up running about frantically ?' Good question, my son. I don't know the answer myself. Why? LOL So, we grabbed the few umbrellas on the way out for lunch and we splashed around in the rain, flicking rain water at each other as we catch them falling from the edges of the umbrellas. Like kids do, not worrying about the sneakers tomorrow or getting sick tomorrow. It's funny when kids ask you questions like these and you realize that you stuck to something in your brain without knowing why you're doing it. The answers to why I never used the umbrellas...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Sweet Life

By
Bad news comes along everyday but last year alone, quite a few bad news struck me. The timing was like a mechanical pendulum. I thought to myself several times that I had enough, that what I needed was a break. A 10 day retreat where I am required to speak to no one, do nothing, listen to silence and nature and just be what I am meant to be.  But real life is not something you can escape for a long period of time. I served my silence....but reality will pendulum-swing back. A friend passed away after being in a coma for a few months. I know both husband and wife and they've always been really positive about handling the toughest of life situations. We may not agree with everything, but we do agree on many. During the time she was unconscious, I prayed every single day. I kid you not.  Her husband would report about her condition, good or bad, and I would either offer thanks or pray for good news and strength. Even during the worst hit moments, I kept the posi...
Post a Comment
Read more