By Paul Chong
A Chinese by Descent
An Australian by Consent

Thursday, 15 January 2015

We get to be so engrossed in our daily lives that we tend to drift apart from our loved ones, especially when we live afar from each other. For weeks, months or years we may not have any contact, then family get together on account of an unexpected demise of someone dear. Sorrow & grief appear to draw people closer than happiness – that’s because your emotion is touched more by the loss. When a loved one passes away, it means also the passing away of a father, husband, grandfather, or brother. Grief covers friends as well. A period of mourning naturally follows. Have we ever considered contrarily to celebrate life . . . to focus on the positive side rather than all the negativeness of life?

In this digital age there is no reason whatsoever why persons cannot keep in touch with the ease of instant communication, by & large free of charge, such as Email,Skype , FaceTime, WhatsApp, SMS & the like. It is inconceivable that people should fight shy of such devices, unless he or she chooses not to. Also in a family circle, some members besides being inward looking, develop attitude of aloofness.

Personally, there were nine of us siblings . . . one living in UK, one in Melbourne, three in Perth, one in Penang, one in Taiping & two in Kuala Lumpur. Now there are seven of us siblings left with the two in Kuala Lumpur gone. Ironically, living near could be distances apart when one focuses inwards rather than forward & outwards.

Family-togetherness is always such a pleasure. Over the years, family gets larger & larger . . . the young grow up & the elders grow grey & old. That togetherness can well be maintained these days, not necessarily physically but “electronically” as through such devices like WhatsApp with photo exchanges & conversation for all to participate in. Of course, every once a year or two, a family gathering is recommended over dinner with fun & recreation like karaoke. Be surprised to find lots of hidden talents among your own loved ones.

Weddings are special occasions to look forward to. Family holidaying together is also welcoming.

Let’s move on with the advance of time lest you’d be lagging behind. It’s never too late to learn new things. Who said you can’t teach new tricks to old dogs? This old dog (at the “tender” age of 76) just been taught lots of new tricks electronically by his young niece, who has a pharmaceutical graduate daughter who could soon get married to make her a young grandmother. Just can’t imagine that her daughter is the oldest of my son’s generation!
So “Oppo . . . Oppo” here we go. My youngest brother Mike was spontaneous in his response . . . “Oppo Oppo . . . your grandsons may think it’s Hippo”. By the way, “Oppo” is a new Chinese brand of smartphone with capabilities that matches iPhone or Samsung! It’s tremendously good value. My excitement caused me to purchase another one for my dear wife, when I was happily skyping her from Malaysia. Surely she was not going to be left out!

Let not smartphone outsmart you!

I have maintained a personal blog https://p21chong.wordpress.com (and http://paulchong.net ) for a few years now with some 600 articles of various interests to share with one & all and enjoying over 860,000 hits
globally, except China.

Hopefully & prayerfully, the million hits target will come soon with your help . . . sharing messages worth spreading.