Cardiologist Malaysia

20/02/2026

R u taking it?

AG1 is one of the lowest value health products in the world despite being the most heavily promoted.

They flood podcasts by paying influencers up to $60 per new subscription and a $30/mo recurring kickback. Plus AG1 gives them equity in the company.

Retail price $79
Ingredients ($5)
Packaging ($3)
Manufacturing ($4)
Shipping ($7)
Total costs ($19)
Gross margin $60
Gross margin% 75.9%

Why does this matter?
McDonald’s openly taunts you “I’m lovin it." They prey upon your compulsive instincts and don’t try to hide it.

AG1 lures you into a false state of confidence by leveraging people you trust and hiding behind a “propriety blend”.

The bulk of the 12g scoop is cheap greens and emulsifiers. They include on the label high-value ingredients but only include trace amounts to lower their costs. That way you think you’re getting the good stuff but you’re actually not.

AG1 is bad for the world.
Overpriced.
Underdelivers.
Science shows it has no clinical effect.
They’ve induced good people into violating their own standards of trust.
They pretend to be something they’re not.
They create confusion for consumers who are genuinely trying to make good life decisions.
They erode trust.

20/02/2026

【新年特备系列】过年吃到心脏喊救命？慢性病患记住QQF 佳节护心不破功
- 5 February 2026

医句话：
农历新年是团聚佳节，却也是慢性病患最容易饮食失控的关键时刻。高血糖、高血脂、高血压、心血管或肾病患者，须以数量、质量、频率（QQF）原则审慎进食，避免高盐、高油、高糖（SOS）食物。同时留意压力、睡眠不足与应酬带来的风险，提升患者赋权与健康素养，才能在过年期间守住健康不破功。

“农历新年佳节是家人亲友相聚的美好时光，惟此时也是最容易不慎跨越健康红线的关键时刻，尤其是有慢性疾病如高血糖、高血脂或高血压，或者有心血管疾病及慢性肾病的患者，在饮食上须步步为营，稍不慎可能在佳节期间‘破功’，不仅影响佳节的心情，更造成健康伤害。

其实要做到步步为营并不难。正所谓知己知彼才能百战不殆，要避免饮食失控必须先了解本身有多少‘健康本钱’以及藏在饮食失控下的‘魑魅魍魉’。

打个比方，糖尿病患面对一年只能吃一次的炸年糕该怎办呢？答案是奉行数量（Quantity）、质量（Quality）及频率（Frequency）的QQF模式。也就是吃多少，吃什么及多久吃一次。既然知道血糖不受控，那属于高热量及高糖分的炸年糕建议只吃一小片，同时慢慢咀嚼及久久吃一次就好了。

多重因素引爆饮食失控

事实上，佳节期间之所以会出现饮食失控是有多重因素，一方面是因为过于放松甚至放纵，但与此同时与压力有关。在佳节期间这类画面应该不陌生，本来只想拿年饼试试味道，可是在与周遭亲友聊天时，年饼就会不自禁地一片接一片放入口中，而饮食失控就是在不自觉的情况下发生。

至于压力方面也不难理解，比如佳节前要安排回乡、交代工作或者是忙大扫除等。值得一提的是，交通堵塞、长途驾驶、睡眠不足皆会导致道路交通事故风险增加，而交通意外至今仍是我国第四大死因。

其实压力来源除了自己，也包括生活周遭的大小事务，比如希望家人可以完成一些事但却没做到等，或者是时下年轻人在佳节被亲友问及婚嫁生孩子等事也会莫名感到压力不已。

压力与熬夜是推手

当人长期处于压力下，有者会频密找食物来‘解压’，压力毫无疑问也是饮食失控的‘祸首’之一，在佳节期间尤其明显。须注意，压力也会影响睡眠品质进而影响精神状态甚至是免疫系统失调，倘若在这之前已有慢性疾病，加上来自四面八方的亲友在没戴口罩的情况下相聚或同桌用餐，可想可知被病毒或细菌感染的危险性有多高。

在这个压力无处不在的时代，人人都必须学习及找到适合本身的解压方式，不管是在佳节期间或日常生活中。而维持足够的睡眠才能有足够精神去应对各种生活大小挑战，因此必须有足够的睡眠，哪怕在佳节期间也要有6至7小时的睡眠时间，以白天不打瞌睡为标准。至于有睡眠窒息症问题的患者，建议一定要及早就医，必要时可在医生指示下使用正气压睡眠呼吸器（CPAP）来改善病情。值得注意的是，在佳节期间一旦熬夜的话，很多人会狂吃夜宵如各种零食或饮用高糖饮料等，这也是另一种常见的饮食失控导因。

拒绝“SOS”

纵观过年期间的传统美食，有不少是SOS等级。所谓SOS并非急救，而是高盐（Salt或Sodium）高油（Oil）及精制糖
（Sugar）的美食组合，外加酒精饮品皆属于潜伏在饮食失控下的‘祸首’。值得注意的是，很多人会误以为素食就代表‘健康’，倘若成分属于SOS，这类素食也不健康，甚至可被归类为重口味食物。

哪些食物属于较健康呢？身为一名心脏科顾问的我常向患者建议考虑采用全植物性蛋白饮食，也就是没有SOS也无肉鸡蛋或乳制品，但考虑到佳节期间不少传统美食并不符合全植物性蛋白，因此采用上述提及的QQF模式也不失为健康做法之一。

具体做法如下，比如焖海味或猪脚之类的传统美食，对有慢性疾病在身的患者，吃一小部分食材精华如瘦肉来满足欲望即解馋是可行的，放在口中缓慢咀嚼让味蕾得到满足，切忌吃太快也不要喝太多酱汁。至于如肉骨茶等汤类，根据QQF模式即1或3个月品尝一次是可行的。

佳节护身符要备齐

有慢性疾病的患者在佳节期间须注意的事项，包括及早确认住家附近（尤其是较为偏远的小镇）有急救中心且有专科医生驻诊、注意身体发出的讯号如脚肿或气喘等、准备多一些所需药物以防药剂行休业期间发生药物不足等，这些都是关键时刻的‘护身符’。

对患者而言，在佳节期间除了谨防饮食失控及做好前面所提及要注意的事项之外，也要做好患者赋权（patient empowerment）功课，即主动参与自身医疗决策，提升疾病的管理能力和健康素养，也就是患者须提升对本身疾病的认识、管理甚至照护能力，在出现哪些症状下须做些什么来缓解或改善，而不是摊开手把责任丢给医护人员来决定，或等到3个月复诊才打算。

以心脏衰竭或俗称的心脏没力为例，它所表现的症状为身体积水包括肺积水、腹胀或脚肿等，因此这类患者的饮食须注意不可重口味及摄入太多水。可是面对摆在眼前的佳节传统美食，该如何去辨别它是重口味、水分过多还是安全呢？对有经验的患者，只要在两天内体重暴增2公斤，那很大可能就是积水造成，此时必须立即服用医生所开的利尿剂。

患者赋权是关键防线

另外有心房颤动（Atrial Fibrillation，AF）或曾进行心脏瓣膜置换手术且有服用抗凝血剂的患者，在饮食上的量及选择须遵守医嘱，避免造成国际标准化比值（International Normalized Ratio，INR，俗称凝血指数）忽高忽低。事实上患者在就医时都知道要注意的事项，惟很多时候在佳节期间因为应酬或缺乏醒觉而忽视这点，造成不必要
的健康危害。

在一些先进国家如新加坡或美国等，患者赋权是管理慢性疾病中非常重要的一环，也是我国慢性疾病包括有心血管疾病风险的患者必须加强学习的功课之一。

_
黄德威医生（Wong Teck Wee）
心脏内科顾问

杂粮不等于难吃 全看煮法

佳节期间要如何避免高盐、高糖及高油等不健康食物呢？回到之前所提及，就是先认清有哪些高盐、高糖及高油食物。高盐换言之就是重口味食物，诸如各类腌制品、肉干、咸鱼、各种零食或蜜饯等。至于高糖除了各种糖果之外，年糕也是其中之一。高油可泛指酥炸的食物，不管是炸鸡、炸鱼还是虾饼等。

在认清‘敌人’后就要用正确的方法去应付，那就是把更多健康食品纳入每日的饮食中，尤其是全谷类植物性素食。比方说减少白米，改为用五谷杂粮饭来取代，包括在白米中加入糙米、荞麦、藜麦及小米等。但杂粮并非人人适合，尤其对长辈而言口感欠佳，但只要用上正确处理方式，口感丝毫不比白米差。

先用健康食物垫底

具体做法是先把杂粮浸泡4至6小时（甚至隔夜），之后再按照一般方式煮饭，所呈现的效果口感会很好。再来其他饮食也尽可能用蒸或水煮包括炖汤方式，甚至若有咀嚼困扰，也能把食材打成菜汁来享用。

先用健康食材‘垫底’维持80%食量，之后20%是一些营养价值较低的食物，采用QQF方式在佳节期间的饮食可以很放松，包括晚上吃零食也不必‘斤斤计较’，惟须注意很多零食属高盐高油，会让人一口接一口，因此鼓励大家参考日本人七或八分饱做法，别让自己在佳节期间吃到撑。

全谷高纤养好肠

为何全谷类素食对健康如此重要呢？从营养角度来看，肉类有胆固醇但没有纤维，而植物有纤维但没有胆固醇。对人体消化系统中的菌群而言，纤维是滋生的养分，倘若缺乏足够纤维意味着菌群不活跃，人就容易出现胃酸逆流、腹胀、腹泻及便秘等肠胃问题。

因此想要让肠道菌群保持活跃，饮食上须给予更多纤维及一些发酵物如天贝、纳豆及适量的泡菜等，同时减少菌群破坏包括滥用抗生素、摄取加工食品（如香肠或腊肠等）或化学物等。

值得注意是泡菜属发酵物之一，但如今市售的泡菜在食安问题上的管理还有待加强，因此最好还是选择已经过巴氏杀菌处理且有安全保证的商品化泡菜，当然若能自制泡菜会为佳，同时也须注意摄取量，切勿一次过摄取太多。

豆类这样吃 不怕腹胀及尿酸

谈及植物性蛋白质的摄取，很多人会有迷思以为只能吃豆腐或黄豆制品而已，但其实只要是豆类包括红豆、绿豆或黑豆皆可；可是豆类会引发肚子胀风及尿酸指数飙高的问题该如何是好呢？答案与之前提及的杂粮解决方法一样，那就是浸泡4至6小时，通过让豆类发芽来释放成分，之后再把豆类煮稀烂，就能大大减少胀风及尿酸问题，同时建议每天摄取2至2.5公升的白开水，并且通过蔬菜如萝卜、番茄及甜椒等摄取足够维生素C，这也是为何只要正确吃素者，甚少会有高尿酸的困扰。

不过须注意的是，大部分新鲜蔬菜如萝卜、苦瓜或甜菜根（beetroot）等建议生吃，若对食安有顾虑，建议可采用稍微烫热方式来处理，比如把西兰花或花椰菜用水煮几分钟方式来煮熟，至于一些比较特殊的食材如番茄可加油炒热来获得更好的营养价值，避免把新鲜蔬菜煮成稀烂，这会导致营养价值被糟蹋。

此外在日常生活中如何训练肠道菌群，可通过一天摄取一点豆类的做法，让肠道菌群逐渐适应，当然更简单的方式就是多吃纳豆及天贝，这两种发酵物在大马很常见，也很适合大马人的口味。

学习气功或呼吸法

对于佳节期间给予的忠告是预防胜于治疗。在佳节前保持足够睡眠、饮食均衡及规律运动，若有服药的患者须按照医嘱用药，至于在佳节前更须做好防备，别让自己饮食失控，同时确定最靠近的医疗单位，尤其是有慢性疾病或心血管疾病风险的患者。

值得注意的是，在佳节期间也不可忽略运动的重要性，但考虑到可能环境或时间不允许，我会建议大众可依据自身所需，学习一些合适的气功或呼吸法，比如真气运行法等，这些气功或呼吸法除了可放松情绪，也能为身体带来健康，可谓一举多得。”

20/02/2026

The QQF & SOS Rules

To keep your heart happy while still enjoying traditional treats, Dr. Wong suggests memorizing two acronyms:

1. The QQF Principle (How to Eat)
Instead of total deprivation, use these three filters for every "guilty pleasure" (like fried nian gao):
• Quantity: Eat a small portion (one thin slice, not three).
• Quality: Choose high-quality ingredients; avoid highly processed versions.
• Frequency: Treat it as a "once a year" event, not a daily habit.

2. Avoid the "SOS" (What to Skip)
Stay away from foods that are high in:
• Salt (Sodium)
• Oil
• Sugar (Refined)

⭕️Hidden Triggers: Stress & Sleep
It’s not just the food; the environment matters too.
• The "Chatter" Trap: We often mindlessly snack while gossiping with relatives. Stay mindful so you don't finish a whole jar of peanut cookies mid-conversation.
• Stressors: Travel fatigue, festive cleaning, and the "dreaded questions" from relatives (about marriage or kids) can trigger stress-eating.
• Sleep Deprivation: Lack of sleep (aim for 6–7 hours) messes with your metabolism and immune system, making you more likely to crave high-sugar late-night snacks.

🥦Smart Dietary Hacks
Dr. Wong offers practical advice for the reunion dinner table:
• The 80/20 Rule: Fill 80% of your stomach with healthy "base" foods (vegetables, whole grains) and leave only 20% for the less nutritious treats.
• Whole Grains & Beans: Swap white rice for multi-grains (soak them for 4–6 hours first to improve texture). For beans, soaking and sprouting helps prevent bloating and uric acid spikes.
• Plant-Based Focus: Prioritize fiber to keep your gut microbiome active, which helps prevent acid reflux and bloating during heavy meals.
• Slow Down: Chew slowly to let your taste buds be satisfied with smaller amounts. Avoid drinking heavy sauces or gravies.

💪🏼Patient Empowerment: Be Your Own Bodyguard
Don't just wait for your next doctor's appointment; take charge during the holidays:
• Know the Signs: If you have heart failure and gain 2kg in two days, it’s likely water retention. Take your prescribed diuretics immediately.
• Emergency Prep: Know where the nearest 24-hour clinic is (especially if traveling to rural hometowns) and ensure you have an extra supply of medication.
• Keep Moving: If the gym is closed, practice Qigong or deep breathing exercises to manage stress and maintain circulation.

医句话： 农历新年是团聚佳节，却也是慢性病患最容易饮食失控的关键时刻。高血糖、高血脂、高血压、心血管或肾病患者，须以数量、质量、频率（QQF）原则审慎进食，避免高盐、高油、高糖（SOS）食物。同时留意压力、睡.....

20/02/2026

19/02/2026

Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a neurological condition caused by reactivation of the chickenpox virus (varicella-zoster virus) in a nerve near the ear.

Ramsay Hunt 综合征（拉姆齐-亨特综合征）
是一种由水痘-带状疱疹病毒（Varicella-Zoster Virus）再激活引起的神经系统疾病，病毒侵犯了靠近耳部的面神经。

简单来说：
👉 发生在面神经的带状疱疹。

⸻

典型三大症状（经典三联征）
1. 耳部或耳周疼痛性水疱/皮疹
• 可出现在耳廓、外耳道、鼓膜，
• 有时也会出现在口腔或舌头
2. 同侧面部无力或面瘫
• 外观类似贝尔氏面瘫（Bell’s palsy）
3. 耳部症状
• 耳痛
• 听力下降
• 耳鸣
• 眩晕（头晕）

⸻

其他可能症状
• 眼睛无法完全闭合
• 流口水、说话含糊
• 舌头味觉改变
• 眼干或口干

⸻

为什么重要？

与贝尔氏面瘫相比，Ramsay Hunt 综合征通常更严重，其特点包括：
• 疼痛更明显
• 恢复较慢，且可能不完全恢复
• 永久性面部无力或听力损害的风险更高

⸻

治疗（越早越好）

72 小时内开始治疗效果最佳：
• 抗病毒药物（如阿昔洛韦、伐昔洛韦）
• 类固醇
• 若无法闭眼，需进行眼睛保护

⸻

哪些人容易发生？
• 以前得过水痘的人
• 年长者或免疫力较低的人
• 可通过带状疱疹疫苗在一定程度上预防

In simple terms:
👉 it’s shingles affecting the facial nerve.

Key features (classic triad)
1. Painful rash or blisters in or around the ear, ear canal, eardrum, or sometimes mouth/tongue
2. Facial weakness or paralysis on the same side (can look like Bell’s palsy)
3. Ear symptoms: ear pain, hearing loss, ringing (tinnitus), dizziness/vertigo

Other possible symptoms
• Difficulty closing one eye
• Drooling, slurred speech
• Altered taste on the tongue
• Dry eye or dry mouth

Why it matters

Compared with Bell’s palsy, Ramsay Hunt is usually more severe and has:
• More pain
• Slower and sometimes incomplete recovery
• Higher risk of permanent facial weakness or hearing problems

Treatment (time-critical)

Best results if started within 72 hours:
• Antiviral medication (e.g. acyclovir, valacyclovir)
• Corticosteroids
• Eye protection if the eye can’t close

Who gets it?
• People who had chickenpox before
• More common in older adults or those with reduced immunity
• Preventable to some extent with the shingles vaccine

在因健康問題遠離鎂光燈四年之後，Justin Bieber 在第 68 屆葛萊美獎上以一場誰也沒料到的表演重新現身。沒有西裝，也沒有大型特效，這位加拿大歌手只穿著絲質四角內褲和襪子演唱了他的熱門歌曲〈Yukon〉。
在唯一一盞聚光燈下、站在鏡子前，他這種原始粗獷的美學風格象徵著他對抗 Ramsay Hunt 症候群以及近期心理健康危機的掙扎。當一些人為他近乎殘酷的坦誠鼓掌時，也有人批評他在這場音樂界最重要的典禮上缺乏應有的禮節。

19/02/2026

Do it

The initiative is currently in its regulatory sandbox phase and undergoing testing ahead of full enforcement.

19/02/2026

Ikigai purposeful living

As the Year of the Horse comes trotting in, senior citizens in Malaysia are exploring a traditional Chinese art form to nurture mindfulness and skill. Meliss...

18/02/2026

This is a touching piece by clinical psychologist Zhang Tingfeng. It captures the "CNY burnout" many feel but rarely voice.

To Everyone Who Finds the New Year Exhausting. Every Lunar New Year, the conversation is always about blessings, reunions, and festivities.

But in the counseling room, I see a more honest version. There are those who fight just to go home. Those anxious over red packets (angpows). Those who have already mapped out ten different escape routes to avoid the "When are you getting married?" question. And those who are smiling on the outside while feeling empty within.

If you are the person who needs a "New Year Survival Guide," this post is for you.

1 | Give yourself permission not to be excited
Not everyone loves the New Year.
For some, childhood memories are golden; for others, they are a source of pressure. Some still have their families; others have lost them. Some are thriving in their careers; others are hitting a low point. You don’t need to fake excitement. You just need to stay grounded.
The New Year isn’t a performance; it’s simply a point in time.

2 | Three "safe" answers for the "Soul-Searching Interrogations"
The perennial questions:
* When are you getting married?
* When are you having kids?
* What do you do? How much do you earn?
* Why haven't you bought a house yet?
In psychology, we have a concept called "Boundaries." Many Chinese families aren't used to discussing boundaries, but you can practice these "gentle" responses:
* "It’s still in the works, thank you for your concern."
* "Taking it slow; focusing on staying stable this year."
* "I’m working on it."
You don't need to explain everything. The New Year isn't a press conference.

3 | Give yourself a "Retreat Time"
For many, prolonged socializing is draining—especially for those who are prone to anxiety, introverted (like me), or under a lot of stress lately.
You can:
* Go to the kitchen to help (a brief hideout).
* Take the kids for a walk downstairs (this is my "trump card").
* Pretend to take a phone call.
* Leave early.
This isn't "escaping"; it's self-regulation. One of the most important skills of an adult is knowing when you are about to overload and then practicing self-soothing.

4 | Don't measure love by the size of a red packet
For some, the stress comes from money.
How much was the bonus? How much should I give? How much are others giving?
Relationships are not maintained by digits. What usually makes people miserable during the New Year isn't the amount of money, but the comparison. If your finances are average this year, that’s okay. The New Year is not a financial statement.

5 | If you are currently in a valley
The New Year is particularly hard for some.
Job loss. Breakups. Family conflicts. Recent loss of a loved one. Even just a period of mental health struggles. When the whole world is celebrating, your loneliness feels amplified.
But please remember one thing:
"Not everyone makes it to the next New Year."
So, if you are still here this year, that in itself is a feat not to be taken for granted.

6 | A small task for yourself
This New Year, you can choose to do just one thing:
Really look at someone.
Not at your phone. Not as a social obligation.
Truly look at someone you care about. Maybe your parents, your child, or a friend. You will find that the meaning of the New Year is actually very simple.

Final Thoughts
If you feel exhausted this year, it means you have grown up.
Adulthood isn't about the noise; adulthood is managing your emotions while in the midst of the noise. If you are just barely holding on, I get it. Truly.
The New Year doesn't have to be "happy." But I wish you peace, health, and comfort.
This is my last article regarding the Lunar New Year.
I’m off to celebrate. Calling it a day!
kthxbye~
14/02/26
Zhang Tingfeng

给所有“过年过到很累的人”
每一年农历新年，大家都在讲祝福、团圆、热闹。

但在咨询室里，我看到的版本比较真实。
有人为了回家吵架。
有人为了红包焦虑。
有人为了“什么时候结婚”已经想好十种逃避路线。
也有人，表面在笑，心里却空空的。
如果你也是那个“过年需要生存指南”的人，这一篇给你。

1｜允许自己，不那么兴奋
不是每个人都爱过年。
有些人童年回忆很好，有些人童年是压力。
有些人家人还在，有些人已经失去。
有些人事业顺利，有些人正经历低潮。
你不需要假装兴奋。
你只需要稳定。
过年不是一场表演，是一个时间节点而已。

2｜面对“灵魂拷问”时的三个安全回答
每年固定问题：
* 几时结婚？
* 几时生孩子？
* 做什么工？赚多少钱？
* 怎么还不买房？

心理学上有一个概念叫“边界”。
很多华人家庭，不太习惯谈边界。

但你可以练习温和版回应：
(1) “还在计划中，谢谢关心。”
(2) “慢慢来啦，今年先稳定。”
(3) “我有在努力。”

不需要解释全部。
过年又不是开记者会。

3｜给自己一个“撤退时间”
长时间社交，对很多人来说是消耗。
尤其是本来就容易焦虑、内向（我）、或最近压力很大的人。

你可以：
* 去厨房帮忙（短暂躲避）
* 带小孩（这个是我的王牌）去楼下走走
* 假装接电话
* 早点离开

这不是逃避，这是自我调节。
成年人最重要的能力之一，就是知道自己快 overload 了，
然后self-soothing (自我调节）。

4｜ 不要把红包金额，当成爱的衡量
有些人压力来自于钱。
奖金多少。
红包包多少。
别人给多少。
但关系不是用数字维系的。
过年真正让人难受的，往往不是金额，是比较。
如果今年你经济状况普通，没关系。
新年不是财务报表。

5｜如果你正在低谷
有些人过年特别难。
失业。
分手。
家庭冲突。
刚失去亲人。
甚至刚经历心理低潮。
当全世界都在开心时，你更孤单。

但请记得一件事：
“不是每个人，都过得到下一个新年。”
所以，如果今年你还在，
已经是一件不理所当然的事情了。

6｜给自己的一个小任务
今年过年，你可以只做一件事：
好好看一个人。
不是看手机。
不是应酬。

是真正看着一个你在乎的人。
可能是父母。
可能是孩子。
可能是朋友。
你会发现，
过年的意义，其实很简单。

最后
如果你今年觉得很累，
说明你已经长大了。
长大，不是热闹。
长大，是在热闹中还要管理情绪。
如果你正在撑着，
我懂，真的。

过年不一定要快乐，但祝福你，过年安康，过年舒服。

这也是我最后一篇写关于农历新年的文章了。

我要过年了，收工！

kthxbye~

14/02/26
张庭锋
临床心理师

18/02/2026

My hometown at my grandfather’s kampung Bukit Siput

SEGAMAT: A local man lost his left leg after fireworks he had set up exploded in front of his house.

18/02/2026

https://youtu.be/eDhG0w1yEUc?si=stzWrcEBg5Dse9k3

年節圍爐美食滿桌，腎臟科醫師與營養師提醒三高與腎病風險，教你聰明選菜安心過好年。 #過年年菜 #糖尿病飲食 #腎臟病飲食 #高血壓控制 #痛風飲食 #慢性病照護 #年後門診暴增 #健康飲食原則 #腎臟科醫師 #不油不鹹不加工 #台...

16/02/2026

New Year Is Not Something to Be Taken for Granted

We’ve become so used to taking many things for granted.

It’s taken for granted that we go home.
That we reunite.
That everyone should be present.
That the New Year should be lively and festive.

But the older I get, the clearer I become about one thing:
Chinese Lunar New Year is actually not something that can be taken for granted.

It’s not something that automatically happens just because the date arrives.
It is pieced together slowly because someone makes a special effort — taking leave, buying tickets, rushing back, coordinating schedules.

And it’s not just about family.

It’s also about friends.

Those friends you think, “We can always meet next year.”
Those friends you assume, “We’ll always be around anyway.”

When you grow older, you realize that getting a group of friends together during the New Year is actually not easy at all.

Some have gotten married.
Some have children.
Some have moved away.
Some are so busy that even replying to messages takes longer than before.

Some friendships
are not unimportant —
they’ve simply been slowly squeezed out by life.

So every time you can still meet during the New Year,
it’s not because everyone just happens to be free,
but because someone deliberately kept that time open.

We often say, “It’s reunion,”
as if reunion were an obligation.

But it isn’t.

Some people can no longer come home.
Some have passed away.
Some relationships have drifted apart through the changes of the years.
Some friends
you didn’t even get the chance to properly say goodbye to.

Not every year
will everyone still be here.

The most hurtful thing about “taking things for granted”
is not that it demands too much —
but that it makes us forget to be grateful.

We forget that someone is still here.
We forget that someone is willing to show up.
We forget that someone, in the midst of a busy life,
still chooses to keep one evening for you.

If this year, during the New Year,
you can still go home,
still see your friends,
still sit down for a meal, exchange a few trivial words, and share a laugh —

none of that is something you are “supposed” to have.

It is because many people, many relationships,
are — for now — still here.

The New Year does not have to be perfect.
It does not have to be lively.
Not everyone has to be present.

But if you understand
that none of this was ever guaranteed,

then this New Year
is already something worth cherishing.

10/02/26
Zhang Tingfeng
Clinical Psychologist

【新年，其实一点都不理所当然】

我们太习惯，把很多事情当成理所当然了。

理所当然要回家。
理所当然要团圆。
理所当然每个人都应该到齐。
理所当然新年就该热热闹闹。

但我越长大，越清楚一件事：
华人农历新年，其实一点都不理所当然。

它不是时间到了就会自动发生的事。
它是有人特地请假、买票、赶路、协调，
才慢慢拼出来的。

而且，不只是家人。

还有朋友。

那些你以为“明年再见也可以”的朋友，
那些你以为“反正我们一直都在”的朋友。

长大以后你会发现，
新年要约到一群朋友坐下来，
其实一点都不容易。

有人结婚了。
有人有孩子了。
有人搬走了。
有人忙到连回讯息都变慢了。

有些朋友，
不是不重要，
只是慢慢被生活挤走了。

所以每一次还能在新年见到面，
不是因为大家刚好都有空，
而是因为有人刻意留下这个时间。

我们常常说“团圆嘛”，
好像团圆是一种义务。

但其实不是。

有些人已经回不来了。
有些人离世了。
有些关系，走散在这些年的变动里。
有些朋友，
你甚至还没来得及好好道别。

不是每一年，
人都会在。

“理所当然”最伤人的地方，
不是它要求很多，
而是它让我们忘了感谢。

忘了有人还在。
忘了有人愿意赴约。
忘了有人，在这么忙的生活里，
还选择为你留一个晚上。

如果今年新年，
你还能回家，
还能见到朋友，
还能坐下来吃一顿饭、聊几句废话、笑一下，

那都不是“理所当然”就该拥有的，
而是因为很多人、很多关系，
都刚好还在。

新年不一定要完美。
不一定要热闹。
不一定所有人都在。

但如果你知道，
这一切，从来都不是理所当然，

那这个年，
已经很值得珍惜了。

10/02/26
张庭锋
临床心理师

16/02/2026

Socialising risk during CNY

A total of 503 new tuberculosis cases have been detected nationwide, prompting authorities to urge Malaysians to mask up.