One Day At A Time

Closer home, another person who has made an invaluable contribution to Singapore's history recently passed away. Much has been said and written about Dr Toh Chin Chye. As my post will not be able to do him justice since I do not profess to know all the details of his contributions and life, I shall instead examine what is possibly one very small factor that inspires his fiery life.

In today's Straits Times article, it was reported that one of Dr Toh's favorite hymn is 'One day at a time'. It intrigues me, especially since I find it difficult often to take one day at a time and often gets overwhelmed with things that are happening, will be happening, haven't quite happened, or probably will not happen (as one of the quotes in my favorite postcard goes, 'several days attack me at once'!). Even during this period of time when i should be enjoying my workless life!

I am curious to know how this song could possibly inspire a giant like him to continue pressing on despite some difficult times in his life, both in the public as well as in his private domains, and subsequently in the later part of his life, when facing his physical ailments. I goggled to listen to the Christian hymn; it is a beautiful song indeed,with these lovely verses:

Do you remember when you walked among men
Well Jesus you know
If you're lookin' below, it's worse now than then
Pushin' and shovin' and crowdin' my mind
So for my sake, teach me to take
One day at a time


One day at a time sweet Jesus
That's all I'm askin' of you
Just give me the strength
To do every day what I have to do
Yesterday's gone sweet Jesus
And tomorrow may never be mine
Lord, help me today, show me the way
One day at a time

I thought this song, in some ways, adds to the jigsaw of what makes Dr Toh.

Charles Dickens' 200th year

Yesterday was the 200th year anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens. I have not read many of his works, and in fact, the few that I have read were those from my secondary school literature days. Hence while I do not know much about his books nor his life, I still remember my utmost respect for a great writer, for his quietly powerful observations about life and his awe-inspiring nuanced descriptions of his characters' emotions. I recalled how I could virtually see the scenes in front of me and feel exactly the pain that the characters were going through, as I indulged myself in every word. I remembered too my fervor in devouring memorable quotes from the characters in A Tale of Two Cities, namely from Sydney Carton (my favourite main character in the story) and Jarvis Lorry (my favourite underdog character) and churning them out with great relish in my essays. It's the best thing I could do next to producing them.

Reading his life story in the papers today reaffirmed my respect for a self-made man who pick up shorthand and went on to be a reporter in different fields. He actually even set up a home for prostitutes to help them begin lives anew. Most of all, I respect him for his strong belief that ordinary people have as interesting lives to tell as the rich and famous.