Magic Word
Project 6: “Magic Word” 13 December 2007
When I first came to work and live in Hong Kong 4 years ago, I found myself landed …with an attractive job .. and .. an unexpected title.. “Director of Finance?” No, it’s “Complaint Queen!”
I complained about anything and everything - the air I breathe, the food I eat, the place I stay.
Among the l-o-n-g list of complaints, one… tops it all. Do you know what is it? It’s housing! This is my first housing hunting experience:
“Miss Ng, oh..I’m going to show you a very good apartment. Newly decorated, sea view and it’s very near MTR station.” The property agent said to me. I could not stop the butterflies in my stomach – wow..imagine . Looking at Victoria Harbour from the comfort of my apartment.
“Come in, Miss Ng, this is a 400 square feet 1 bedroom apartment and the rent is $10,000”.
(Pause, action then speak)
My jaw dropped when I stepped in.
Within 10 steps from the door, I saw all that I need to see - a tiny living room, a kitchenette, a teeny weeny room and a mini size bathroom.
“This is crazy! It is not fit for human living!” I found myself screaming loudly… in my head. I mean…this place is only slightly bigger than my bedroom in Singapore. How do I place the TV, sofa, dining table, bookshelf, wardrobe, ….
And wait, where is the sea view? Yes, over there, from a tiny window in the room.
(Pause)
I’m totally struck by the expensive and small living area in Hong Kong. I could not imagine typically a family of 3 live in this SMALL apartment!
I finally settled down in a 500 square feet 2 bedrooms apartment in Sheung Wan. Many people asked me “why do you need two bedrooms for 1 person? I told them I have visitors every now and then...but the truth is – I was too embarrassed to say ”I need the 2nd room to be my store room!”
I start to live in Hong Kong but I never stop complaining.
I need a bigger wardrobe for my clothes, a bigger kitchen for my utensils. I even complain about the steep slope leading up to my building … especially if I’ve many shopping bags to lug!
For 2 years, I was the depressing complaint queen until …someone reminded me of (pause) the magic word.
A word that is so simple yet carries a very deep meaning. A magic word we learnt very well since young. What do you say when someone gives you a present? Thank you!
Yes.. When I was young, I received bigger and more presents than my brother. Because I always say “Thank You”
Now that I have grown up.. I have forgotten my thank you. No..no.. Not that I stop saying thank you when you give me a present or hold the door for me.
(Long Pause) I have forgotten… the deeper meaning of thank you!
I have forgotten to count my blessings and….BE THANKFUL for them!! (Pause) I was concentrating so much on what I do not have.. the space.. that I forgot to look at what I’ve and be grateful for it.
Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough or…. even more. Do not focus on …what is missing from our lives, …instead let us be grateful for what we have... our health, family, friends (Long Pause)
Now, I am happy in Hong Kong. I count my blessings and I am thankful for them. I enjoy the country parks, the convenience of shopping, my attractive job and most of all, the great fellowship of the toastmasters.
Recently, a poster at a vegetarian restaurant caught my eyes and this is what it says:
Be grateful / to those / who have hurt or harmed you,for they have / reinforced your determination.Be grateful / to those / who have deceived you,for they have / deepened your insight.Be grateful / to those / who have abandoned you,for they have / taught you / to be independent.
(Long Pause)
We count our blessings, we may also count our misfortunate. And be thankful for the positive thing of a difficult situation.
(Pause) Every cloud has a silver lining. (Long Pause)
Now, the steep slope is my daily exercise. The shopping bags are my dumbbells.
I spend only 10minutes to clean my place. I now buy what I need, not because it’s cheap. The small space has simplified my life, it has saved my time and my money.
Ladies and Gentlemen, a word that is so simple yet magical.
Be/ THANKFUL / for what you have - count our blessings.
Be/ THANKFUL / for the positive thing of a difficult situation – every cloud has a silver lining.
The complaint queen.. has now become.. the grateful queen.
And.. it’s all because of…. the magic word.. thank you!
When I first came to work and live in Hong Kong 4 years ago, I found myself landed …with an attractive job .. and .. an unexpected title.. “Director of Finance?” No, it’s “Complaint Queen!”
I complained about anything and everything - the air I breathe, the food I eat, the place I stay.
Among the l-o-n-g list of complaints, one… tops it all. Do you know what is it? It’s housing! This is my first housing hunting experience:
“Miss Ng, oh..I’m going to show you a very good apartment. Newly decorated, sea view and it’s very near MTR station.” The property agent said to me. I could not stop the butterflies in my stomach – wow..imagine . Looking at Victoria Harbour from the comfort of my apartment.
“Come in, Miss Ng, this is a 400 square feet 1 bedroom apartment and the rent is $10,000”.
(Pause, action then speak)
My jaw dropped when I stepped in.
Within 10 steps from the door, I saw all that I need to see - a tiny living room, a kitchenette, a teeny weeny room and a mini size bathroom.
“This is crazy! It is not fit for human living!” I found myself screaming loudly… in my head. I mean…this place is only slightly bigger than my bedroom in Singapore. How do I place the TV, sofa, dining table, bookshelf, wardrobe, ….
And wait, where is the sea view? Yes, over there, from a tiny window in the room.
(Pause)
I’m totally struck by the expensive and small living area in Hong Kong. I could not imagine typically a family of 3 live in this SMALL apartment!
I finally settled down in a 500 square feet 2 bedrooms apartment in Sheung Wan. Many people asked me “why do you need two bedrooms for 1 person? I told them I have visitors every now and then...but the truth is – I was too embarrassed to say ”I need the 2nd room to be my store room!”
I start to live in Hong Kong but I never stop complaining.
I need a bigger wardrobe for my clothes, a bigger kitchen for my utensils. I even complain about the steep slope leading up to my building … especially if I’ve many shopping bags to lug!
For 2 years, I was the depressing complaint queen until …someone reminded me of (pause) the magic word.
A word that is so simple yet carries a very deep meaning. A magic word we learnt very well since young. What do you say when someone gives you a present? Thank you!
Yes.. When I was young, I received bigger and more presents than my brother. Because I always say “Thank You”
Now that I have grown up.. I have forgotten my thank you. No..no.. Not that I stop saying thank you when you give me a present or hold the door for me.
(Long Pause) I have forgotten… the deeper meaning of thank you!
I have forgotten to count my blessings and….BE THANKFUL for them!! (Pause) I was concentrating so much on what I do not have.. the space.. that I forgot to look at what I’ve and be grateful for it.
Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough or…. even more. Do not focus on …what is missing from our lives, …instead let us be grateful for what we have... our health, family, friends (Long Pause)
Now, I am happy in Hong Kong. I count my blessings and I am thankful for them. I enjoy the country parks, the convenience of shopping, my attractive job and most of all, the great fellowship of the toastmasters.
Recently, a poster at a vegetarian restaurant caught my eyes and this is what it says:
Be grateful / to those / who have hurt or harmed you,for they have / reinforced your determination.Be grateful / to those / who have deceived you,for they have / deepened your insight.Be grateful / to those / who have abandoned you,for they have / taught you / to be independent.
(Long Pause)
We count our blessings, we may also count our misfortunate. And be thankful for the positive thing of a difficult situation.
(Pause) Every cloud has a silver lining. (Long Pause)
Now, the steep slope is my daily exercise. The shopping bags are my dumbbells.
I spend only 10minutes to clean my place. I now buy what I need, not because it’s cheap. The small space has simplified my life, it has saved my time and my money.
Ladies and Gentlemen, a word that is so simple yet magical.
Be/ THANKFUL / for what you have - count our blessings.
Be/ THANKFUL / for the positive thing of a difficult situation – every cloud has a silver lining.
The complaint queen.. has now become.. the grateful queen.
And.. it’s all because of…. the magic word.. thank you!
posted by Mae at
7:31 AM
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