A Reflection on some of the ways of life in the good old days.

1. Good Old Days Stressed-Out Days

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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?

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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?

13. 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?

14. 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?

15. 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?

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. The End
May Peacefulness come your way
as Wisdom grows day to day
With Metta,
Bro. Oh Teik Bin