Walking

 It's a Bank Holiday in the UK and that reminded me that I used to do a lot of walking during Bank Holiday when I was in the UK.  Unfortunately, I do not remember having photographs taken on my walking experiences because the mobile phone, taking pictures was not what we do during those days.  Instead, getting ready for the walk with wind jacket or raincoat, checking weather by watching the news on TV, preparing food for lunch such as sausage pie, pork pie, fruits, etc. are what we focus on then. 

I had the privilege to have 2 if not 3 English family who took me in or invited me over to their place and joined them for walking during those short period of time while I was in England.  I experienced wonderful English cultures, met some deer along the walk, explored the British canals and even did one to make sure our boats (Canal) gone through it, etc.  It's fun.  I am documented this here because I have 0 photograph on it and the only 2 persons who can justify my story are Mrs Joyce Thomas and Sara Thomas, which I do not know if they remember that. 

A friend just told me that she is going for a long walk on the white cliffs of Doven and it just reminded me of how awesome and exciting walking can be. One of the things I love about in England is walking.  Well, I wonder now when will be next time I get the chance to do walking in England again.  

- Walking - 

Feeling good

To be able to feel good could be one of the reasons why we are doing what we are doing.  No one does things or decide to do things that will make themselves feeling upset or not happy about. Everyone makes a decision to do something based on whether what they do will bring them happiness.  

We often hear one asking another when both or more of them sit together to decide on things, by asking, "do you feel good about this?"  A mutual decision has to be making both parties happy about it.  Even having sex, you need to make sure that the other party is to say yes to proceed to make it not amounting to rape. You need to make sure parties are agreeable to things in order for an arrangement to succeed, even for divorce, if not marriage. That's what the basis is, we want to make sure we are happy about things we do, things we decide to do, or things that we do not want to proceed.  

Taking into other's feeling into consideration is what we were taught to do since young.  Respect each other's feeling and wishes.  That's what I grow up with.  Even things that I deemed as important, it might not be as important for others.  Even if things that you think is nice, it might not be nice for me. Even if you think pre-marital sex is alright, it might not be alright to me.  That's the freedom that we talk about when we talk about human rights freedom.  We all have the rights to voice our opinions, be it you agree or disagree with it. 

Over the past years, I realised... this has become an excuse for people to use in their 'defences' in escaping from their own faults and criminal acts.  In the name of freedom of speech, they have violated laws and regulations, trying to escape from their criminal acts and fault.  Let's not talk about political views.  Let's talk about the things we do every day.  These days, we have people who committed to a marriage, because they FEEL GOOD to do so.  We have people to have children because they FEEL GOOD about it. They feel it is a success in life, they feel that it is good to have children because people are proud of them and their achievement.  They bought a nice car because they FEEL GOOD about having a nice posh car so everyone thinks they are a success.  How people look at them make them FEEL GOOD.  They posted their 'success' on social media so people will praise them and give them 'liked' and by doing so, they FEEL GOOD about it.  People wanted to buy big houses and nice cars even though they do not have the money to because by doing that, the FEEL GOOD.  Some people who ended up in debts and facing bankruptcy today because they FEEL GOOD to have their children study oversea even though they know they cannot afford.  Some changed their mind about the wife or husband they married because they don't FEEL GOOD about them anymore and someone else is making them FEEL GOOD.  Some of them FEEL GOOD about getting a divorce regardless of what God says about not to divorce.  Some of them even kill people because they FEEL GOOD to rant their anger out.  Still some, they take drugs because nothing in life makes them FEEL GOOD except drugs.  

These days, I heard many ridiculous 'theological' opinion when it comes to the prosperity gospel.  Anything that does not make you feel good is not from God.  Wow.  Really?  I realised that people are overemphasising on FEELING GOOD.  Seriously, without bad, how would you know what is good? Are we to lives by our impulsive feeling alone? So, can I end my life because I feel good about doing it? Is it really about us feeling good that makes everything about our lives? or we are supposed to ask the question, "Is this pleasing God?".  

Is pleasing ourselves more important than pleasing God? If anything that's not well, good or happy happening in you, is that not from God? Really? The last time I checked, the book of Job, the book of Ezra, the book of Lamentations, and the books talking about the imprisonment of Paul are still parts of the books in the Bible.  Are we having a different bible? 

Is what we are doing each day is for our own good or is it for His purpose and Will? If it is for our own pleasure and happiness, is that mean Jesus can just say, "sorry God, I changed my mind.  You love me right? come on.... use Peter instead maybe?" 

Well, I am not a theologian.  I am just merely saying, I think people are just overemphasised on their own feeling too much.  They have forgotten about taking other's feeling into consideration and more so, we certainly have not taken God's feeling into consideration.  Divorce? SERIOUSLY?  Murder? Taking drugs? Selling drugs? earning millions? corruption? for the sake of FEELING GOOD about it? 

Fighting your rights, voicing your opinion and what you want is permissible, but when you try to override all other laws by your own ONE opinion, I think you are really seeing your own rights and opinion too highly.  

I always respect people with their own opinions.  I do.  But my respect to them ends the moment they violated other laws and respect for others.  

If I am doing everything based on what I feel good alone, I wouldn't be doing what I am doing today or I definitely won't represent some idiots in their stupid court cases.  

- Feeling good -

Respect II

It was a very hot summer day.  I was sitting at the living room, waiting for the worker from the logistic company to come and to arrange 2 of the boxes to be shipped back to Malaysia sometime in July 2000. While the worker came, I noticed he’s sweating excessively and he immediately asked for a drink. 

Being a typical Chinese Malaysian who was taught to be polite, hospitable and with manner, I went into the kitchen, looked for the best drink I could offer and it did not come to my mind that tap water should be an option. I opened the fridge and I saw this precious packet drink that I treasured so much (It was difficult to get some of those during my stay in the UK then) and even if it was available, I will have to take at least 2 hours journey to the city to get it) – Chrysanthemum Tea.  Yes!  I must share with him this great drink and I am sure he will appreciate it.  I quickly took one packet without much thought and handed him.  He had a look at it, took a sip or two and he threw the whole packet on the floor and uttered, “Gracious God, what sort of drink is this? Such a disguising taste.”. He got so angry, moved my Two boxes to the car, signed a few papers and left.

Oh well, a different perspective isn’t it?  Something an Asian would think is the best and precious, not necessary what a Westerner would love.  Something an Asian dislike doesn’t mean they are being low class or wrong.  It is just a personal preference.  I still prefer a Chinese tea better than an English tea sometimes and the Malaysia KFC is definitely more delicious than those in the UK.  A NIVUK version of Bible compare to NKJV version, or even a Chinese bible is better than English?

By forcing that guy to drink what I think was the best drink I can then offered, was a mistake.  I should have asked him if he prefers to have the packet drink or tap water, shouldn’t I?  What I perceived as the best, does not necessary is what you want or need. 

Well, I was heartbroken that day after the incident, not about hurting the guy’s feeling though. For losing one Chrysanthemum Tea. 🤣