A different kind of Thanksgiving

Looking back at my younger days, I have had attempted to create little cracks in my Asiatic-values' and culture's moulds, only to find that many things that I've had hatched in my head or even despatched through my lips could not match with my actions. How true it is when one's parents have instilled values into their children, they cannot just 'shed' it off because of the birth of a new or perceived / adaptation to a better idea. There's something in the Chinese culture (as for most Oriental / other Asian cultures) where it can never be watered down to nothingness eventhough it moves along the lines in adapting to modern times. The dominance of the values and cultures are woven into our genes, perhaps they are wholesome chromosomes by themselves! LOL

Now, back to being serious *ahem* ... Well, the older I get, the more appreciative and grateful I am of the Asian values set in me. I would not go back and change anything, even if I could turn back the hands of time. Yes, that's a really big statement! How about rough patches that I had to go through in the cruel mill of the culture that made the values / morals not-oh-so-palatable? Well, there must be a reason why things have to happen they way they did, and such experiences in acquiring the set of Asian values contain shaping or polishing qualities for the betterment and holistic development of an Asian identity.

I remember looking at all those boundaries that my parents, relatives and family friends have set in a contemptuous manner - always wishing that I could have more freedom to do all that my heart desires. Desires then were wilder than wild horsies galloping helter-skelter in the plains without a direction. The reigns, the saddle, and spurs dug into me ribs have had it's reasons, of course, as it has whipped me into my rightful little spot then. It was essential for my growth then, I believe, in spite of lacking the understanding of it all in a big picture then. I know some may beg to differ from this viewpoint, when it comes to Asian values. As most, if not all of us were very much exposed to the many forms of media that was and still is greatly influenced by the Western world. Only recently, some shine from the media has reflected on tje roots of our Asian civilisation.

How lovely it is to take into consideration, by instilling into young minds - the age-old asiatic values and culture that still survive in many Asian abodes to this day - respecting the elders, placing the importance fo 'family comes first', family gatherings or reunions to embrace the meaning of festive seasons, the dialect used, to name a few. This is set us apart from the cultured and uncultured.

Today, I'm just thankful that things were the way they were then, by having a strict upbringing and all things Asian instilled from birth to this day - our Asian values, morals, love & respect for all things Asian - that's what I call a holistic culture!