Good Old Days Stressed-Out Days

For all our good friends who might miss the good old days... 70 sen from our parents was sufficient for cheap matinee shows which normally started at 10.30 am on Saturdays and Sundays - 50 sen for the ticket and 20 sen for return bus fare, makan not included.  Nobody paid 1 ringgit for the 'Reserved' seat.

Reflection

Simplicity and contentment bring us much peace.

In this fast-paced and sophisticated world many cannot find contentment but are constantly in a state of restlessness and dis-ease.

  Whenever we boarded the double-decker bus, we would run to the upper deck to get a view of the journey.

Reflection

How many have lost the ability to appreciate and enjoy simple things? In this high-tech time, there is an over stimulation of the senses and people remain unsatisfied.

5 sen for kacang putih and 10 sen for ice "ang tau".  Sometimes, ice ball for only 5 sen "pau ang tau" and half red sugar, and the other half black sugar or sarsi.

Reflection

Today, how much money do the ‘modern’ people spend to titillate their taste buds with so much rich food and junk food?

Parties in the olden days were simple and decent … Waltz, Cha Cha, Rhumba, Foxtrot and Offbeat Cha Cha. No smoking, no boozing, no

promiscuous sex and no doing drugs. 

Reflection

We hear of wild parties and orgies today. Smoking, boozing, sex and drugs are

becoming more prevalent.Beware before you fall into great suffering

and misery.

We did take sweet stuff like candy floss, fizzy drinks, shaved ice with syrups in moderation but diabetes was rare.  Sometimes simple medicine was taken for headaches. The young in the old days ate in moderation, had exercise, proper nutrition, rest and sleep.

Reflection

Are more and more modern young people suffering from ill-health due to stress, overeating, lack of physical exercise, rest

and sleep? Beware! There will be a heavy price to pay for unwise lifestyles.

Reflection

Despite all the luxurious living conditions of many young people today, they still complain and want more and more in a never-ending game. Hardship is alien to them. It’s time they count their blessings.

In the old days many people had to make do with tough

conditions … ‘bucket system’ toilets, simple

bathrooms using pails of water … and yet they did not

complain but embraced these things peacefully.

In the old days there was so much fun,

exercise and healthy interaction involved in traditional games like ‘5 Stones’, tops, kites and a host of outdoor

activities.

Reflection

In this high-tech age, overindulgence in the internet, computer games and the attractions of smart phones can be detrimental to

the physical and mental health of the users.

We caught guppies in drains/canals and when it rained, we swam there.

Reflection

How many young people today are keen in ‘slow’ hobbies like keeping pets, maintaining an aquarium, stamp collection, reading, gardening, cooking and so on? More are drawn to the fast world of

computer and internet games. More restlessness, impatience, boredom, poor interpersonal skills etc seem to be setting in.

We ate some salty, sweet and oily food… candies,

bread and real butter, and drank condensed milk in

coffee/tea, iced kacang, but we weren't overweight

because we walked, ran, cycled or climbed trees so

often. 

Reflection

Couch potatoes who spend hours on TV and the Computer addicts take heed … your lack of exercise will take its toil in

a matter of time.

We never had birthday parties until we were 21.

Rare were the occasions where we spent lots of money, time and energy on celebrations etc. We

were thrifty and things were done on a modest

scale.

Reflection

Today, aren’t we going overboard with so many festivals and celebrations … we overeat and spend lavishly. The

‘eating business’ is booming! Danger lurks.

In the good old days, there was so much racial harmony …there was great understanding, trust, goodwill and friendship?

Reflection

What can we say about racial harmony and unity today? Is there more mistrust? Is there more racial segregation at the different levels? Have more conflicts and animosity arisen?

School life in the old days was more enjoyable, meaningful and better disciplined. We had our share of corporal punishment and

none complained. We learnt important moral and life lessons.

Reflection

Has school life become more of a drudgery, stress-laden with sole emphasis on academic achievements?

Has education lost much of its meaning? Is discipline becoming a greater and greater problem?

We flew kites with string coated with pounded glass powder and horse glue, and we cut our hand on the string. 

 We made our own kites to suit our "fighting styles".We spun tops and played marbles.

There was much fun, happiness and peace in our minds. 

Reflection

Has the modern child lost the innocent fun, peace and enrichment things of childhood?

We were the last generation to know

how to use logarithm tables and slide

rulers.

Reflection

Today, have we become too dependent on high-tech gadgets to the extent that our mental calculations and skills are declining?

For our communication we used letters and the simple old-fashioned telephone. However we got on well

without the high-tech gadgets of today.

Reflection

Have all the modern gadgets of communication made us more happy and peaceful? Undoubtedly these gadgets can be useful but

the foolish use and abuse have brought problems and stress.

Village folks enjoying an

outdoor movie.

Life was one of simplicity.

It was more care-free, and

stress-free.

Reflection

It is not so much of how much we have, own or possess that determines happiness and peace. It is that inner

contentment and the wise embracing of things that come along life’s way that give inner peace and joy.

The End

May Peacefulness come your wayas Wisdom grows day to day

With Metta,Bro. Oh Teik Bin