Happy Mother’s Day, 2026!
Listen to this song and this song album dedicated to all mothers!
Mental disorders: Applying the safety net
Mental disorders: Applying the safety net
Li Na passed by a house in a rural village.
An unkempt, half-naked man was squatting
over a drain outside a half-burned house.
The driver said, “he is a mentally-ill person.
He was probably trying to cook some food.”
A lady sitting next to Anna chuckled,
“… and burning down his own house, crazy fella.”
Li Na was disappointed with the elderly lady.
“But, but, this house is so near the hospital!
He needs treatment!” Li Na exclaimed.
“The police would not come and take him to the hospital because no one reported it,” the driver explained.
… Society has failed him.
… Our mental health safety net has failed,
…His family members have failed him and not gotten him treated.
Li Na felt guilty too for not picking up the phone,
as the team moved on.
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The above anecdote is an example and illustration of some neglected persons.
Covid-19 causes stress and potential mental disorders risks in society and work places as well. Safety net policies need to be enforced for these people at risk
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Special angels: because we are the chosen ones!
Special angels: because we are the chosen ones!
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It was an annual dinner. The doctor held his child’s hand as they walked towards their table. The happy and excited child (with cerebral palsy) walked with jerky and clumsy limbs besides his dad. At the table, he started to hit the cutlery on the plates, enjoying his ‘music’.
“Behave, dear!”
Immediately he stopped!
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Quotes:
These ‘angels’ (parents) have so much patience and compassion; not many people have these qualities, and no university can teach one these attitudes, too! – Chen S.P., August, 2021
The question: Why me? Because you are the chosen one! … So do it well! – Chen S.P., August, 2021
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Ironically, In This Vastness Of Land
Ironically, In This Vastness Of Land
This is a poem, titled after a hand-painted bowl which was created by the author, a few years ago. Whereas, the poem is inspired by the many tragic news of perished immigrants on rough seas. They were trying to reach a better-land in this, ironically, vastness of land on mother earth.
“Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.”
― Leonardo da Vinci
“Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.”
― Leonardo da Vinci
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In this vastness of land
stretching and circling this bowl
round and round, but, to no end!
From the bowl’s interior
radiates that phosphorescent glow
a beckoning promise, almost superior!
Across the wide seas and oceans
breaking families, risking lives
to find that elusive ‘greener grass’ notions!
On rough waters,
human lives are inhumanly packed
in overcrowded sea vessels
clutching desperately to partners and wives.
“I see the land, I see the land!”
But it was, many a time,
an illusion to touch beaches,
to kiss the sand.
Can you see the land, a better land?
Will freedom be your stand
in this vastness of land?
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Quotes:-
- “Remember, remember always, that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists.” ― Franklin D. Roosevelt
2. “What has happened to us in this country? If we study our own history, we find that we have always been ready to receive the unfortunate from other countries, and though this may seem a generous gesture on our part, we have profited a thousandfold by what they have brought us.”
― Eleanor Roosevelt
Do we meet people by accident?
Do we meet people by accident?
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Synchronicity
meaningful coincidence
in meeting someone
A belief or sign
that we met for a purpose
not by accident
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Everyone one meets
is a part of our journey.
Is it a blessing,
…. or a lesson?
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A soprano or a bass
A soprano or a bass
There are another two of my idols in WeSing- a Soprano and a Bass singer. (maybe more toward baritone?)
They often mistaken my voice for a man’s. But my voice can not be as low as baritone or bass!
Although I am a lady, I can not reach a soprano tone.
WeSing 里我的另外两个偶像是女高音和男低音歌手。我都不能成为其中任何一个
虽然我是女士，但我唱不出女高音。
他们经常误以为我的声音是男人的声音。但我的声音也不能像男低音那么低啊！
I call him LP ( lau pa or old father) . Listen to his duets with me.
Killing me softly with her song
Help me make it through the night
I call her Permrak, the Soprano lady. Listen to her duet song with me
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Iam so happy to learn a new term from Dolly – Do read Dolly’ s comment below!
Gratitude is a basketful of vegetables!
Gratitude is a basketful of vegetables!
(a poem)
Here’s my basketful
with blessings and gratitude
for healing my wounds!
A former student, Ms Paat S.L. narrated how she put stoma and wound care into practice when she went back to Sarawak. It was very satisfying to see her patients recovering and healing. Some patients’ relatives came from the far interior (in Borneo Island). They would bring a basketful of vegetables or fruits as a token of appreciation upon discharge!
Stoma and wound-care can be very challenging, yet rewarding, indeed!
I am glad she found the ‘ikigai’ in this new field as the first stomaltherapist in Sarawak!
She went on to train many other nurses in the Borneo Island.
Suicides among school-children and the need to review school system
Suicides among school-children and the need to review school system
Quote:I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed. Michael Jordan, Basketball Player
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As quoted above, failures should be taught to be are part of a journey to success.
It is worrying to see young school children committing suicide because of their inability to cope with homeworks and examination stress.
School should be fun!
Snorkelling, and getting spirited away?
Snorkelling, and getting spirited away?
It was a beautiful island for snorkelling, they say. It was a tourist spot.
Got into the water, and it was beautiful…. colourful fishes swimming around our feet at a crowded beach!
Did someone put some food to lure the fish to be near the shore, much to joy of the squealing kids!
Something made me want to explore if there would be bigger colourful fish farther up. So I went snorkelling outwards from the beach.
I didn’t see more fish… instead, the water was becoming cooler, greener, and quieter.
I lifted my head up. My feet weren’t touching the ground! There were several poles with white floats planted around the area… to warn people from going farther and deeper?
The crowd was just tiny distant dots playing at the beach far away!
My mind went back to news about a strong Korean swimmer who drowned while snorkelling at this very island.
I was sure my heart missed several beats! Was I spirited away?
Kicking and flapping calmly to keep myself afloat, I took a few deep breaths and swam towards the shore. I did very strong and calm strokes surprisingly. Only God heard my fast heartbeats!
To me, it was a close call to being spirited away into the ocean!
And my last snorkelling ever!
Swimming, a brain bath
Swimming, a brain bath
Swimming offers
profound brain benefits, including enhanced cognitive function, improved memory, and better mental health,
often dubbed as "rewiring" the brain.
It increases blood flow (oxygen) to the brain by up to 14%.
Swimming,is also known as a "natural antidepressant", as it reduces stress, anxiety, and depression by releasing endorphins, serotonin, and reducing cortisol.
My teacher told me that she started to learn swimming at the age of 60.
It is never too old to learn a skill like swimming, to bathe our brain!
Don’t laugh, I am happy to just do my simple dog style and stay at the shallower end of an adult pool!
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Chen Song Ping 