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Conversations with MySelf



Simple Things
A reflection by “A Transient Star”, an originative 18 years old. In a sense, everyone has some kind of visual frame or “essence” of each...
Michael Ong
Jun 263 min read


He Will Carry You
What do you see? I asked one of my clients. A “xích lô”, she replied. “Xích lô” was invented by a French gentleman from Charente in...
Michael Ong
Oct 28, 20232 min read


Light Touches
21st November, 2022. Monday. Cool winter morning in Hanoi. I was awake at 6am and decided to paint something big and bold. I have...
Michael Ong
Aug 2, 20236 min read


Live Beautifully
Counseling is a sacred profession; like a priest to its congregation or a monk to its followers. Counselors are there to connect the Soul...
Michael Ong
Jun 22, 20235 min read


The Other Side
This is a picture of the landscape surrounding the sea of Galilee. At 209 metres below sea level, it is the lowest freshwater lake on...
Michael Ong
May 7, 20233 min read


Always Transforming
This painting is inspired by Hang Ma street in the old quarter of Hanoi. Hang Ma Street, just 100m from Dong Xuan market, was once called...
Michael Ong
Jan 3, 20232 min read


A Difficult Privilege
Diaper changing time. Meal time. Milk time. Shower time. No, these are not parenthood. That was 23 years ago. It is caring for my...
Michael Ong
Sep 5, 20215 min read


Coming Home
Coming home has never been so challenging. Yes, the pandemic throws several curve balls at us ever since Jacqueline and I made our...
Michael Ong
Jun 28, 20214 min read


Unnecessary Guilt
A young mother confided in me recently. "My son was born 3 weeks premature. I think that's why he is showing some emotional disability."...
Michael Ong
May 4, 20214 min read


Treasures of Darkness!
My Dad is 88 this year. Recently, he has many health problems. Fell twice in a week. Hospitalised for excessive diarrhea. He was on-drip...
Michael Ong
Apr 9, 20213 min read


The Things We Carry!
I have gone hiking. I have taken the trolly up Pikes Peak, standing at 14,115 feet above sea level. I have taken the cable car up to Mt....
Michael Ong
Mar 8, 20214 min read


Feelings
We are often very uncomfortable with intense negative feelings; those of ourselves and of others. We do not know how to handle it. Some...
Michael Ong
Feb 5, 20213 min read


Encounter
2020 came and is almost gone. What's your encounter in 2020? Many saw the death of their loved ones and did not get the chance to see...
Michael Ong
Dec 17, 20202 min read


Befriending Loneliness
“Lonely. I am so lonely. I got nobody to call my own.” Bobby Vinton wrote the song while serving in the army. It’s not surprising that...
Michael Ong
Sep 10, 20204 min read


The Journey
It has been tough in ways more than one. Travel restrictions. Financial insecurities. Health threats. Cash flow issues. Businesses build...
Michael Ong
Aug 6, 20202 min read


Let Go!
After posting my reflection on "Restless?", many friends wrote me personally and said that they could resonate with the reflection. One...
Michael Ong
Jun 29, 20203 min read


Restless?
My heart was heavy and I was feeling restless a few days ago. I know this feeling too well. For 5 years, I struggled with restlessness....
Michael Ong
Jun 11, 20203 min read


Where have all the birds gone?
I was out gardening and my friendly neighbour came to me and said, “Oh, the birds are gone! I am so sad.” Hương went on to describe how...
Michael Ong
May 14, 20203 min read


Will I Ever Feel Happy Again?
A young lady contacted me and said, “I just feel very sad and hopeless today.” I thought to myself, “She must be going through a...
Michael Ong
Mar 31, 20205 min read


Conquering Mt. Kinabalu!
"Want to climb Mt. Kinabalu"? My friend Fook Meng asked. He loves mountains and had always wanted to climb Mt. Kinabalu. He had tried...
Michael Ong
Mar 24, 20195 min read


Mr. Bicycle!
Poem by Quyền Ngọc Khánh An extract from the book "Tea Talk: One Story at a Time." Hi everyone! I am a box and my name is Boxie. For a...
Michael Ong
Nov 2, 20184 min read
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