Subscribe
Share
Share
Embed
“Words of Wisdom” is an initiative to document and celebrate the stories, insights, and wisdom of Singapore’s senior citizens. It's powered by Folklory, a service dedicated to preserving stories through audio podcasts, who will collaborate with 60 seniors aged 60 and above to create a series of 60 podcasts, each capturing a unique slice of Singapore’s rich history and culture. Find out more info at Folklory.com
00:00:00:00 - 00:00:24:05
Unknown
Hello there. This is Terence from folkloric. What you're about to listen to is a podcast from the Words of Wisdom Project, where we spoke to 60 Singaporeans over the age of 64 as you, 60, and captured their life lessons for the next generation. We hope you enjoy it.
00:00:24:07 - 00:00:47:15
Unknown
And we are here today to do this for Clara Roslin. And I will start this by having you. Roslyn. Maybe you just give us a brief introduction of yourself first. Okay. My name is just one. I'm a sports coach and a call, and I've been doing this for 18, so since 1985. Okay. At a time when.
00:00:47:18 - 00:01:11:22
Unknown
When I retire, something like a full time place of life. I see, I see. And then in terms of, when you say sports coach, like you said, that you specialize in certain areas. You see what I call supernatural? I see. Yes. Okay. So maybe that's a good place that we can start to talk about, going into sports coaching.
00:01:12:00 - 00:01:43:18
Unknown
Right. What actually motivated you to, you know, start going into that area of coaching. Sports coaching. Since childhood, when I in school, sport many is okay as a sports. Very much so. While working, being conscious and I give myself to this, this area and then eventually, December and all, and I'm still healthy.
00:01:43:20 - 00:01:59:00
Unknown
I do not have any sicknesses at all. Thank God. I don't have to be. I have to be both. But, for all of this. Sure. Yeah. No, I, I think it's a very admirable thing that you, you know, you continue this all the way through. It's all, you know, always. Yeah. And so, like like.
00:01:59:00 - 00:02:29:03
Unknown
But wasn't it difficult juggling your work back then and then also like, you know, studying and taking courses and all that for sports coaching? Yeah, actually, I listened to the news and they said that, you have to stay in one place to move about. I don't mind being in the space rather than staying in office. So, when I was coaching, then initially I did, I saw a lot of my seniors at the age of 55 years.
00:02:29:04 - 00:02:53:21
Unknown
This is okay. I'm moving to retire with the rest at home. And what happens that they permanently rest? The rest, like, I think still. And obviously, this can mean I see this in a lot my seniors example to my seniors. So I you know, I got to continue this to get me healthy. This is me. It's what it means.
00:02:53:23 - 00:03:18:19
Unknown
But another layer of the work that you do is you also work like with children with disabilities as well. Right. Yes. Disabilities. So I mean that sounds like, very meaningful endeavor. Like what, what motivated you to, to go into that? You started all the reading about it all. I mean, so, until.
00:03:18:21 - 00:03:48:19
Unknown
About eight years ago. Well, someone approached me to ferry his son to, specialist school in Cuba. Be staying in Holland. Then as this goes on. I saw this kid a lot of people, a lot of, problem we had. They need people like us. People like me. People like, to come in to be not a burden to the community, to have confidence in life.
00:03:48:21 - 00:04:09:23
Unknown
So they started motivate me to know more about these kids. And I'm lucky that I've, somebody introduced me Singapore to introduce me to sport. Okay. Then that's where it started off.
00:04:10:00 - 00:04:33:21
Unknown
Okay. But what it, what do you think is the the big differences between like, you know, being a sports coach for, for, for people but then transitioning to also work with, people with people with disabilities. Was it a very big, difficult transition? Yeah, it's a big transition between normal and, physically.
00:04:34:01 - 00:04:55:21
Unknown
Ladies. Disability, anybody need to be okay? Should be given, but the police station, they are not. Oh. Sorry to see this work. They are not mad or crazy. Yeah. See? So people like us, especially people like me who are above 60, always think that. Oh I have you know, I see my comfort zone.
00:04:55:23 - 00:05:18:13
Unknown
Then what I can do is keep. When your parents pass on what happened to them, you will be a burden to community. So we must, have a amongst us some input, some confidence in them to, to survive in life. Not to be a burden on the committee. Okay. Well that's a very admirable thing to.
00:05:18:15 - 00:05:44:20
Unknown
Yeah. To set out to do it. I mean like, I'm sure along the way. Yeah. You've discovered things about yourself when working with children of disabilities as which what do you learn about yourself that even surprises you? What I learn is that, it benefit us for people like, you know what, 60. You always piece you always because you always piece.
00:05:44:22 - 00:06:11:22
Unknown
But not in Donaldson but always in health. It means in health. Definitely piece then. In this way I'm not I'm healthy. That's what I'm still healthy and it's still going on. And I, the, the sickness would come and you think a lot of things when you are happy there's no sickness. I see, I see, you see, I am happy to to be with them.
00:06:11:24 - 00:06:40:15
Unknown
Even though it is sad when I play around with them, a small kid. And you see me differently when I. When I'm not an old man. Or I thought I will be like them saying enjoy. So I'm. I'm happy. Yeah. You know, and I'm happy. I'm healthy. Well, well so but I mean so like, in terms of working with children with disabilities is do you feel that, more people should be doing it.
00:06:40:15 - 00:07:01:03
Unknown
Does the Singapore need more people to, to help out like you, or are we at a good place or what do you think? Okay. Must be lighting Oriental. More people, more human values will come out. Come out and see. Look, the other people need our help. You know, I like seeing healthy. Every morning I woke up.
00:07:01:08 - 00:07:36:22
Unknown
This is what I always remember. I remind myself. Every morning. It's nice. And it we change our diapers. But I do want to see my change. But I it's what motivates me everyday. Move on with help me see I do want to change. Then so motivate me and then. God I'm here right now is doing small.
00:07:36:24 - 00:08:01:11
Unknown
Oh that's that's very good. That's, that's a very strong way to do, very strong way to live life and to keep yourself motivated and all. And yeah, I honestly, I, I was, blessed by, spoke to the president to see this boy in his in school and it's not wrong and motivates me. Mom. I'll still be strong.
00:08:01:13 - 00:08:31:04
Unknown
What do you. One of. You need me. People like us to, condemn them. Just sit in your bed or lousy or whatever. We are the people who need to come in the, you know, the. Yeah. And guess what is what makes you them? They're not stupid. Basement. I can see the spotlight on those boys in school because I've been coaching schools.
00:08:31:06 - 00:08:57:03
Unknown
They, And, I see that. Yes, but there is respected in those boys in school right now. This is that's very good to know that, you know, that there are people like you who, who definitely, understand the value that, that we can bring to, you know, underprivileged communities. And by helping. Yeah. I did want to also ask you a bit more personally.
00:08:57:08 - 00:09:24:07
Unknown
Why? Why of all sports, why is sepulchral your why is it your gym? Why is it. Why do you love it so much? Okay, but of course, my first sport that I know when I see example. Okay. Music. I'm a footballer. People born, played football and play a youth level. But, when I reached the peak, I mean, a lot of people are taking soccer.
00:09:24:09 - 00:09:48:10
Unknown
It's a big opportunity in sports where the committee is smaller. So on the from there, the I think someone can grow faster. People better. Yes. Yes. I see that my opportunity and this is my first love sport. I see, I see. So it's like going back to your roots in the kampung. Correct. I see okay.
00:09:48:10 - 00:10:13:08
Unknown
That's beautiful So, so in terms of when you look at the young people today, playing that role, how different, how different today from how you were back in the kampung bling playing the game. Okay. During my time, I want to I want to let the rules fight or whatever is easier. I just had a boy tree and my senior was just doing, let's do it.
00:10:13:14 - 00:10:37:17
Unknown
And I fall down. And they took my hand, obviously. But now they are lucky they have face no coaches. Okay. We can do whole studies about sports size. I mean I call you size. So you sing and they played much safer. I see they play much safer. They play more technical and technical way.
00:10:37:19 - 00:10:58:21
Unknown
In terms of physique and physical it's much better they listen to me just. Okay. You can do more than just do a somersault or whatever. Yeah. The and you go, you'll, you'll your hand picture or the ending. Yeah, yeah. And and, and nowadays in sport, a lot of friends over there.
00:10:58:23 - 00:11:20:08
Unknown
They'll find on their not might like might there's no fun at all. Yeah. So do you think that, you know, like you when you, kid, you think you would be able to play separate soccer alongside all these young people today? You mean my skill with them young people today? Yeah. That's right.
00:11:20:10 - 00:11:38:07
Unknown
You to my skill are better. You. I would say instead. Okay. Every time. Because I'd be like I mean I them I, I always tell them you want to go further. You make sure you beat me. I see if you can beat me. That means again, go for them. I will be. You can beat me then.
00:11:38:07 - 00:12:03:24
Unknown
Okay, a good. Well, you be surprised. You watch me live or anything. Yeah, I'm sure, I'm sure they all see this, challenger, right? Yeah. The best. But I'm mostly. I'm a mentor to them. And, you been beauty like, who is school? I'm very fierce. And I'm on the title. The got on the school. Oh.
00:12:04:05 - 00:12:26:20
Unknown
Got to lose it. And my school is always, on the in life. I was at your is go to my participant my trainee. The person in life your parent, your teachers and myself of course is a person that you hate most. But later when you grow up you get married then you realize what and what I told you.
00:12:26:22 - 00:12:47:14
Unknown
Then you come back to me. You know football, my training, I mean it's the 20 years or maybe it's ten years. This. What do you. This told me, sport, I mean coffee. So they came to me as a coach. Thank you for your advice. I know what you mean. What? What you thought I brought to my life.
00:12:47:16 - 00:13:15:15
Unknown
You know where I am now. And that is my. Sorry. That is my gold medal. It's not winning the medal in the NSG or whatever tournament the came me you see this word and that is my roommate. It means. The message I deliver them is a lot of very meaningful. I just realized any that we need Bell.
00:13:15:17 - 00:13:32:06
Unknown
That must be quite powerful having people come up to you after ten, 20 years. Yeah. I thought you want me. Initially I didn't do with me. I thought because these boys are nasty boys. It is not just Abernathy, boy. So when he came, when he came to me, they want to hammer me all the fight. Me because I.
00:13:32:06 - 00:13:53:19
Unknown
Funny and funny. Same as, And you can see me in you. But, if I settle a couple of teasing when I was having dinner with my family. Oh, really? Well, I, I see I was do, but my family, man. Yeah, but not, like, okay to be, you know that the guy that is into you.
00:13:53:21 - 00:14:15:23
Unknown
This is the nasty boy that he is that this is, you know, we still keep in touch. Yeah. Like Fred and I, we go, for coffee or tea or whatever. So it's always about 18 to 2 to six and it's almost 40. Well okay. But that so it does sound like a lot of the, people that you coached.
00:14:16:03 - 00:14:39:02
Unknown
Oh, you mean not long the way they have also kind of become friends as well. That, right? Yes, exactly. Yeah. My friends know a lot of them. Yeah. So what do they tell you? What advice you gave them that really stuck with them all these years? What advice okay. In life are you going to say what religion you are.
00:14:39:04 - 00:15:08:11
Unknown
Right. You must you can do anything, you can do anything. You can be a robber or any like. How do you master. You must be a, you must remember you are free. You have you always see someone. The creator. Okay. The creator. And make sure that you meet a 260 degrees 180.
00:15:08:13 - 00:15:33:15
Unknown
And if you, the spirit creator, whatever we are, the creator will show you the light, show you the path. Yeah. The creator will you the way go back to 260. You get my, you get go I mean. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah I do. Okay. 181 come back. Felicity will come back. Yeah. Full circle. Yeah.
00:15:33:17 - 00:15:58:04
Unknown
Versatility is not 880. That means you won't come back. So there's only you. You don't need. Don't be afraid of me. Don't be afraid of anybody. Yes, that is one of the elevator. Those seats are all necessary because this is, for everybody. For every region. Just as good. That means, you know, you you still theoretically.
00:15:58:06 - 00:16:21:10
Unknown
It's not free. Yes. Yeah. Maybe. So in terms of the people that you stick friends with in your life. Yeah. What are the values that are most important to you, that these people you want to stay friends with them for? You mean the friends? The friends? Long until now. Yeah. That's right.
00:16:21:12 - 00:16:47:02
Unknown
Yes. Sincere. You must trust in sincere. You'll be able to create. Yeah. And a lot of my friend knows me that I'm a possible difficult to see, know when somebody wants to when you once once. And if I really can't do it I'll say no. And I feel disappointed. You know.
00:16:47:04 - 00:17:21:02
Unknown
Sure. But. So when you say sincere like what, what actions do you do to show sincerity. Okay. Don't do think that you need something anything. Okay. Do it sincerely for anything. Anything. Yeah. You for something for return. That means you can achieve anything in life. Yeah. It's not sincere anymore. It's, I think hypocrite. Yeah. It's true that we pretend to and I agree, but I feel because I'm afraid of, my family.
00:17:21:02 - 00:17:47:10
Unknown
I see my family. And as he's. You know. Yeah. Since that's what I have, I have a group of my, my, my sorry my group my age, I call, I call it G. Okay. Oh my God is all. Oh man King. Okay. So maybe, every every week we, we meet a couple of weeks.
00:17:47:12 - 00:18:12:07
Unknown
Because, actually I'm doing a private drive also. Oh, okay. Okay. I don't have any preaching. I will do have just to cover my, I, I see, I see, I got a drive for d maybe a five days a week, will be, 6 to 12:00. Unless it's not busy and maybe, maybe I have coaching somewhere else or whatever.
00:18:12:07 - 00:18:36:06
Unknown
But my coaching is always on weekends. I see. Got it. Okay okay. Okay. I mean it's nice that you still have these relationships of old friends and all, but I did want to ask you about love. Okay. When you, you know what love. Like you know what comes to your mind. Okay. The word love. Love means simple responsibility.
00:18:36:08 - 00:19:03:22
Unknown
Okay. That means with the you don't have a responsibility. That means no only. The mirror. I don't know about the people. You just say you love somebody. Just love love love. But you don't have responsibility. That's not love. But is that the responsibility. Like you talking about like in a marriage or, or injuries in marriage and concerned about, about that person that you love.
00:19:03:24 - 00:19:32:14
Unknown
And you see also maybe you don't have a responsibility then the point having a responsibility. You see I love you, I love you but I no respect. Yeah. Understand. So in terms of like any is any advice that you have for young people before they, you know, they embark on, on a relationship or, you know, if they're looking for a partner, what should they be focusing on?
00:19:32:16 - 00:20:01:15
Unknown
Yeah. On the abundance of our young kids of our generation. Okay. For this generation. Now make sure that your foundation is strong. Money should not only financial on the lessons in your thinking. But just having fun for the sake of other people want to get married. You want to get married. So that you must make your finances strong and you have a responsibility.
00:20:01:17 - 00:20:21:05
Unknown
Yeah. If you don't have a sense of responsibility or commitment then you don't know what love is. Yeah. It might be stressed. You don't know what love is. You just say you love I love you a little bit but you don't have any responsibility. There's no point. For the sake of fun, this or this or you know.
00:20:21:07 - 00:20:48:02
Unknown
So what, what is your recipe for you know, a, strong, a strong love that can last for very long. Oh, so they can last. Let's see. Let's okay, this and as I said earlier, you must have, responsibility. Then, to give and take. Yeah. My name one thing. Just throw it away.
00:20:48:05 - 00:21:14:19
Unknown
I don't mean to do serious. True. Yep. And. Yeah. You have any miscommunication or any misunderstanding that will keep it. And we will just discipline up. And especially now new generation. Yeah. There's no living in here. So you education. Education. Yeah. You said your goal. You must go. Yeah. You do it. You set your goal.
00:21:14:19 - 00:21:45:19
Unknown
That means you are aimless. That's true. You are aimless. Then you will survive. Okay. Okay. So, you know, we, recording this, time capsule for people in the future. Singaporeans in the future for. So what, you wish for Singapore for the next 60 years of its existence, maybe 60 years. Hello. I will be there.
00:21:45:21 - 00:22:15:10
Unknown
Who knows me that is still okay. Okay. Okay. And then this. But is it okay in this Singaporean? What? Malay. Chinese. Indian. Yeah. My future. So me will be Singaporean. Is it. Maintain. And you can see I've been driving a lot of places. There's a lot of being reasonable. Community. And I can see now is growing up.
00:22:15:12 - 00:22:41:22
Unknown
I it's not like Chinese. Your Malay or Indian real one. Yeah. Singaporean Indian that maybe will survive. All right. Fantastic. Thanks so much Roslyn for sharing your lessons and your life experiences. I mean, I think the work that you do is very meaningful. I hope you keep doing it and stay stay healthy and active as long as is possible.
00:22:41:22 - 00:23:06:05
Unknown
You know this I think it would be very inspiring for people to hear. Yes. Is is is is you see, like me. Don't see, don't go. Do go and do something. You benefit, you benefit. And then any benefit you feel at least your inherently self.
00:23:06:07 - 00:23:36:01
Unknown
Hello again. I hope you enjoyed listening to that for clarity. Words of wisdom is a project by Charlotte Go, powered by full query and supported by our Singapore Fund. To find out more, please visit our website at Folklorico com. That's. That's all. Okay. Oh are way. Dot com. Goodbye.