This is where I won’t be alone
For this is where I know it’s home
Home (1998). Composed by Dick Lee
Ask any Singaporean young and old, we ‘re all LOVE this song. First introduced in 1998 as our NDP song, this tune is forever in our head as it strikes a strong sense of familiarity and patriotism whenever it is played.
Celebrating our Nation’s birthday
While I’m grateful for the mid-week break, I am taking the opportunity to reflect on some of the community events I was involved in this year and what it means for me and AMOKFIT.
Teaching seniors low-impact workout at their activity centre is a regular affair now under the HPB program every week. The seniors are so happy to see me and we exchange hugs and laughter each time. When I had to find a cover for my sessions, they are concerned and tell me they missed me. One of them, a dear elderly Indian lady, would hold my face with both hands, draw me close to thank me after every session. We can’t communicate very well, for she could only speak a smattering few words of English. But we managed somehow, I could read from her eyes how deeply appreciative she was for the sessions.
The aunties and uncles would miss the music beats, move in the opposite direction, very often cue along with me (instead of just following the cues, lol), thinking my cues were part of the move. They hardly are able to keep up with more complicated new moves when I first introduce them. Sometimes they are unresponsive to the latest music tracks that I was so excited to present. At times, they had blank faraway looks on their faces and you knew they were thinking about something else, perhaps a memory trigger from the music?
However, these sessions are one of the most fulfilling I have. The appreciation they show, the joyful faces and warm greetings at each session cannot be replaced. It gives me great satisfaction knowing how the seniors look forward to meeting up each time. These sessions are more of a social gathering than a true fitness session. And why not? Whatever reasons that motivates people to stay active, for these old folks a reason to step out of their homes, meet and engage other people in a social setting.
“Old age has its pleasures, which, though different, are not less than the pleasures of youth.”
– W. Somerset Maugham
Who says an elderly person does not know how to have fun? They do! They are the endearing bunch that who shout along with me, shake and boogie, make cutesy poses at the end of each song. They would try to sing along to the songs without knowing the lyrics (or language). I have so much fun with them, only because I know they would love it and play along with me, and have fun together.
This National Day, I dedicate this post to the seniors in the community. And I want to be able to serve and commit AMOKFIT to also take on the role of being an advocate for health and wellness for our seniors.
May you continue live life to the fullest (perhaps even more than it had been than your past, whatever it may be), be content, be in the pink of health, seizing every moment!