KAN: I Want To Devote This Thank You Note To The Followers

Usually, for previous occasions, I prepared my thank you notes in advance, thanking everyone, from liondance troupe to singers, to the fellowship, to all clients in general. This time round, because of the very, very hectic schedule (thank you for your amazing faith and support -- we had the most number of new collections blessed this 26 June), I didn't get to do so.

And perhaps it is meant to be. I want to devote this thank you note to the followers. You are my wonderful clients, and faithful guardians of the Lotus faith. You are golden, and it is beyond what Lotus collections you have -- some of you just started with your first Lotus Ring, or how much you have invested in your Lotus treasures -- for we all know that there are others who have spent way more (congratulations to these blessed clients), or how long you have been with the Lotus -- I got to know some of you for only a couple of months!

Follower's collections are specially reblessed, separately.

It is your heart. Oh yes, getting very cheesy here. But some classics tell the simplest truth. You have the great capacity to recognize and embrace the faith of the Lotus, and the genuine sincerity to spread something you find beneficial and to be proud of. And you share your love with actions of generosity. We came together for sessions after sessions of learning and discussion, we debated and ironed out issues, coming to a consensus on how best to deliver a most amazing 10th anniversary celebration. You devoted your valuable time, you bought supper (and drinks!) for each other. You stood out there for a greater cause, you unleashed your passion to inspire the people around you, you lifted the futures of others directly.

Thank you Pook and Jasmine. You took up the baton to coordinate and accommodate the fellowship. You are unwavering, with all your grace and composure. You faced and surmounted challenges that would have derailed the faith of many -- you and I have seen those who have buckled and turned to an isolated and narrow path. You strengthened and protected the fellowship. I thank you for your strength

Thank you Aloysius and Diana. You brought joy to all who came. And you have always been the committed spreader of the Lotus faith. You hold nothing back in sharing your passion and own experiences to others stepping into the Lotus. I thank you for your passion.

Thank you Tieng Soon and Serene. We look up to you. You have been most generous in sharing your exciting tale with the Lotus, your recommendations on collections, your knowledge. We have braced waves together before. We have been steadfast against selfish manipulators. I thank you for your loyalty.

Thank you Angeline. You came back for the celebration. You shared your belief and faith for the Lotus to so, so many people, even though you just landed in Singapore. I thank you for your faith.

Thank you Shienli, Ivy, Daphne, Priscella. You learned with enthusiasm and spoke to the guests on that day with such gusto. I walked by the galleries and I was drawn to your voices. I thank you for your enthusiasm.

Thank you Yvonne and Ray. Thank you for joining the fellowship. You might find us a crazy and zealous bunch, initially. But the energies do not lie. And you have felt it. I thank you for your courage.

Let's celebrate this coming Friday [we had a thank-you-dinner the very Friday after the anniversary].

-- Kan Ying Loong, Executive Director

[first posted on 28 June 2016, here: https://www.facebook.com/yingloong.kan/posts/1147117105360166] 

9 heart-warming things I remember at 9th Anniversary

1.   9-segment pineapple dragon
From afar, the drum and gongs that we grew up with, informed us of the presence a dragon or lion dance troupe nearby.  On this prosperous day, it was extra special.  Both the fearsome and royal symbol of the pineapple dragon and 9 lions dancing around reminded me of childhood memories of gathering around Chinese New Year with plenty of lion dance performances everywhere. 

9-segment pineapple dragon

 

2.   Ms N’s and her granddaughter
I was sitting near the tea preparation corner at #01-01 and was waiting for Master to arrive for the reblessing.  I was noticing that Ms N had her family, and Ms N was trying to get her granddaughter to finish her lunch of porridge, which the granddaughter was looking everywhere except finishing her lunch.  This reminded me of my grandmother whom also chided me to finish my meal before wondering off to play something.  I was 7 years old then.

In this same gallery is where we sit

 

 3.   Ms M’s story of finding the courage within
As part of the tour, Ms M was enthusiastically sharing her Lotus story with us and fellow attendees.  As we ask further on her jounery to the present day, I felt slightly unnerved but I remembered that her kindness to share her Lotus journey will inspire anyone that heard her story.  We gave her encouraging words for her to continue with her story and eventually managed to complete it in a gentle manner.

Sharing of stories as part of tours like this

 

 4.   Huat Kueh & Nine-layer kueh
Being together with so many people and with many different things happening concurrently, one can be hungry rather quickly.  I love that the food was served personally by caring waiters and waitresses whom made the effort to ensure all present will get a full tummy.  One waitress was so cute that she would rotate the food served so that we get the variety between puffs, nine-layer kueh and huat kueh. 

The prosperous kueh that saved the day

 

5.   Huat Photo booth
Taking photos are not natural for most people.  As tour guides encouraged everyone to just indulge themselves and try any post they like, I see attendees shedding their social jacket and be themselves in front of the camera.  After all, its in the name of fun and laughter with prosperous Lotus symbols.  Seeing themselves in funny postures brings laughter to many and smiles to all.  The prosperous chi gets better when everyone is happier, easier.

Happy paths to prosperity

 

6.   Reblessing
I was touched again when reblessing was done.  That Master has again summoned the prosperous chi to be spreaded out among Lotus treasures brought before him.  Large efforts that seemed simple.

Reblessing in progress

 

7.   Gold-standard emcee

Wearing gold, our Emcee, Aloysius, was putting whatever he had into making a good show for all, even in the face of technical difficulties or between programs.

The Gold-standard Emcee

 

8.   Lotus Song of Prosperity
We share the same rest area with the singer and saw the specially worn gold dress that she beautifully donned on for the inaugural release of the Lotus song of Prosperity.  The human face to the song did bring a closeness to the song played over the speakers.

Live singing - A touch of goldness

 

9.   Sunshine
It was a hot day with plenty of sunshine.  Sunshine conveys hope, upward, positivity to all.  To bring things up a notch, it’s where the servers were hard at work getting cool drinks and champagne to all attendees.  This made everyone even happier. 

Hot was the day, Huat was the crowd!!

 
-- Leonard