Free Yourself From Bondages

time is always constant...

365 days & +1day on leap year... 60seconds, 60 minutes, 24 hours, 52 weeks

When 31,536,000 seconds passed & 2022 arrives

Time slowed down to a trickle as C19 struck; the whole ecosystem was muddled, restructured & calibrated to reflect a new normal

9/11 brought in security concerns and C19 pushed health issues into the forefront

COVID allowed Earth breathing spaces to clean up the air, oceans, mountains & surroundings

However, C19 also witnessed the resurgence of human greed, thirst for power, control & domination

While Nature assists nature to clean & clear, Nature also allow Humans to self-destruct due to their over indulgence & selfishness  - no nations will be left untouched in a nuke-war

Within borders, countrymen destroy one another in their zeal for domination & control - only those with compassion, care & share will be spared 施舍 忏悔

Revolutions are the results of suppression & oppression; the commoners endeavor a peaceful environment to live, let live & to pass time

Nobody wants anarchy 

Laws are necessary to ensure orders but excessive controls and micromanagement kill trust & disable initiatives; there is no monopoly of ideas & many successful entrepreneurship are the fruits of gumption & gutfeel

Marslow theory clearly showed that when Man has achieved most, he will seek self-actualisation which unfortunately may also mean that Man can self-crowned himself & make unnecessary demands from his flocks

There is no "ABSOLUTE" but two or more sides to possibilities

Do not give false hopes & promises as it could be a "live or death" matter to some

Do not be blindly pliant and obedient - you deserve the consequences of your decision

No persons/leaders, however wealthy, powerful, famous or supposedly well-like, can survive in a sea of poors 

Karma has a way of taking away or gives you whatever you desired most

Everything is temporary & vanity does not immortalize your eccentricities

Physical & emotional dependence are destructive; when a person is void of emotions, he has lesser bondages

Turn away vanity, deny others any chances to judge you, beware of false prophets & friends. How? Be fearless & indifferent to their provocations and temptations

Walk free...free your Soul

May the new year offer you the chance to crystalize your ideals - no holds bar

Resolutions Again: Christmas, New Year & Chinese New Year

Faiths & prayers...

When the mind is confident & unshaken, nothing hurts the body

No pains, no diseases, no agonies ...can affect the gritty mind & body

COVID has proven that nothing is impossible, or conversely, anything & everything is possible

The new normal will speed up & clear the usual ways that things were done

Fortunate are those who had made use of the lull period to upskill, upgrade, improvise and adapt to new ways of resolving issues & situations 

eSolutions will rule

Costs of living is rising unnoticeably but markedly

Inflation, stagflation, recession, depression - any of this will make lives & livelihoods much tougher

Underemployment, unemployment, stagnant incomes and diminishing real disposable incomes are contributors toward stressful living, frustrations, anxieties & suicides

The way out of uncertainties is "minimalist living" ; eat enough, have enough rest, keep out of others problems & instigation, manage your resources and stay healthy   

Live well & neutral while others bicker about their living

A happy family, bathe with warmth and belonging, is the best accorded shelter

Tough times don't last, tough people do - outlive your challenges - not all challenges need to be addressed

Like fire, the fury will burn out if left alone

The best defense is attack; we must resist when fakeness & baseless accusations become character assassination 底线

Nobody owes you a living & so it is (true) that nobody has a right to break your Soul

Never takes kindness as weakness - if there is a need to fight, fight to win & eliminate

Faiths & prayers reinforce the mind

A sturdy Mind is a solution enabler

Stop worrying and start living 活在当下

Forgive but don't forget - a lesson well taught is (must be) well learnt

It's barely 7 days before the day becomes new & so are the month & year

Have your crystalized your bucket of wishes or it's time to dust & reuse your resolutions? Do whatever fits & keep going

Some day soon, your dreams will come true; perhaps an abridged version

One day to Christmas, seven days to New Year & thirty eight days to Chinese New Year

This will be my last piece to close 2021: GOD Bless

Time Wasted Worrying

dying comes naturally...

Nobody knows when their time is up & it arrives mostly unannounced and at an instant

We are all destined to die; it's only when - the journey is cast but the exit methods differs

Empires come and go; friends disappear & spouses part - every thing is finite

The crave for fame, money, power ...is control; the need to control others for domination

Respect wasn't won but 'bought' & never lasts ...so is loyalty

Money talks, bullshit walks

Whichever religion you subscribe to, it's about love, compassion, forgiveness & care - nobody has seen GOD

天 - whatever you wish and pray for, GOD never voice out but somehow your prayers maybe answered (or ignored)

地 - whatever you wish & pray for, you need to work on it, henceforth "you reap what you sow" - the land has abundance & rewards those who works. The land never speaks

人 - human is the bridge between heaven & land & the only one that can talk. Either you gain abundantly or you poison your own lifeline

Karma is your personal computer; whatever you key in, come out - a direct correlation to your efforts

GOD will not destroy Earth but Earthlings ill-intents self destruct - be kind to one another or you'll be MAD (Mutual Assured Destruction)

The christians, muslims, jews & a few others believe you go to heaven after death whereas the buddhists  &, maybe hindus, believe you need to do good, have compassion, practice redemption & are allowed the cycles to reincarnate until you cleanse up or achieve enlightenment

Nobody aspire to go to Hell but if Heaven is so good, why aren't those who want to go there, go now? If you are living in Hell on Earth, why not make your Earthly stays Heavenly...enjoy the heavenly life you have now活在当下

Make every moment of living, memorably heavenly

Look around you: the political quarrels, the bullying of weaker nations, the milking of the commoners, the oppression of the weak, the displacement of the citizens, the suppression of truths, the threats of deprivation of freedom, the list goes on...isn't these living in Hell? Karma dish out the same menu when your time is up

Death is never fearsome

When you die, you move onto another realm (if there is one)

Make sure you enjoy every moments of life, for tomorrow may not come

Covid & many problems exist whether you like it or not; live well while others live worst is an angel's dream

Worries never solve problems but erode good health

Lock your mind out of "noises, irritants, distractions and overthinking" & you Soul will find peace

With peace, you will live heavenly on Earth

 2021 will be over soon; so do not waste 2022 onwards

 

Blessed Are Those Who Ride Through Uncertainties

 don't wait too long...

Top 10 Bucket List Items for Seniors (November, 2020)

• Learn a New Language. Many seniors would love to learn a new language...
• Support a Charity. ...
• Start a New Hobby. ...
• Travel. ...
• Try a New Food. ...
• Read Particular Books. ...
• Redecorate a Room. ...
• Get a Pet...

I am shock to see the bucket list as I have done all the above over & over again

Why wait so long? We work to live, not live to work

Surely, those can be tucked in somewhere between study, career, house, marriage/family, kids... 

How did Cheong, the special force commando gave up everything & became a monk? He prefers to be known as the Venerable Tenzin Drachom

Why did Venerable Ajahn Siripanyo, the son of Malaysia's third richest man, Ananda Krishnan, give up material well-being to pursue his spiritual path? He didn't wait until he grew old

Colonel Saunders used his welfare money & started his fried chickens business (KFC) out of necessity during the thick of depression

Not many people can "drop everything" and pursue an altogether new path unless forced to; humans are creatures of comfort

Successful people do not walk their familiar paths

A tinge of eccentricity is needed for those seeking the paths less travelled

But, the ordinary bucket list should not be delayed; time and tides wait for no Man

When you are young, do everything that you want as "from zero to zero" doesn't hurt yet you can spring back fairly fast from your falls

At mid-age, save 30% & game the balance; taking chances give you new frontiers & be a gamechanger

By the 60s, when the family has been provided for, it's "show hand" time; 70% are left with your family and spend the 30% on whatever you want. Any monies not spent are not yours

What doesn't kill you mutates and tries again; it's you vs Time as we walk towards/near the end

Be motivated & encouraged - the 2nd or next wind may be the final blowoff - legends are made before the curtains fall

Whatever Fits, just do it - he who laughs last, laughs best

Don't worry about what people say or think about you; your presence or demise has no impact on them

A Master once said "when you die, the 'many' people who come to see you off are those that truly care"

Blessed are those who live best when others live worst

Don't wait...you are as good as whatever you can & will do now 活在当下

If someone reassures you that tomorrow is better, I warranty you Today Is The Best - dead man tells no tales

A New Normal Awaits You

 the new normal...

I used to travel/fly 15-20 days a month before Covid

Now, traveling is a chore but, at least, borders are opening up

Having booked your air-ticket doesn't mean you can travel - a failed PCR test will prevent you from getting into the plane

Even if you pass, your next hurdle is the PCR test on arrival; pass you go on & fail, you are  quarantined

After you almost complete your trip, you need to be tested again before flying home; pass you fly home & if you fail, you are quarantined

Another PCR test on arrival before you go into self-quarantine (SQ) 

Yet a final PCR test, say 7 days later, before you are allowed to go out; only if you pass

Money, money... is spent to trade back freedom

How do you build resistance against Covid? Build a strong body (stay fit), receive more fresh air and sunshine (be healthy) & have faith in GOD

The global economy is greatly hamstrung by the debilitating impact of Covid & governments the world over are looking for alternative sources of revenues

What will the future promise? Anything is possible

It is not too late to pursue your dreams and ideals

The world slowed for you to catch up, not sulk and sink; leveling down does not happen often

Stop complaining and start living (to the fullest)

Transform your energy into efforts towards the direction of your goals; be the winner, not the whiner

Inconveniences and changes are not obstacles but allow you to sharpen your ideals when crystalised- the rock is not a gem until it is polished

Fear nothing, fight to win

Do not let others write your Destiny & leave yourself stories to recall & tell in your twilight years

Why do you fear your bosses, the politicians, the armed personnels, the bullies & even the stares of others when you may not even see the next daylight if Covid hits? We eat to live & not live to eat and we do not live to work

Money is a means to an end 钱不是万能 但没钱万万不能  -  钱是身外物

With grit, encouragement & resourcefulness, the world is yours to conquer

You've less than 20 days to go before the year ends 

What have you achieved and/or missed while worrying about Covid, it's impact & the supposed losses & fears? Many can only look back with regrets & perhaps, repeat their old, dusty Resolutions when the new year arrives

No two days are the same neither sorrows nor happiness

Do not worry about things that you cannot change nor influence

Do everything within your means and prowess for you reap what you sow

Tomorrow maybe better but today is still The Best

活在当下 天时地利人和 Make hay while the Sun shines

The new normal is here... be the first mover & the gamechanger

I am ahead of the Curve

Last Or Lasting

 the last...

1st December; the last month of the year (2021)

If you have spent time sulking & worrying about this disruptive virus year 2021, you've lost 11 months of precious time that will never return

The smart use the lull, disruptive period to rethink what he wants to do, pick up the skills & be empowered and ready to reap opportunities when the new normal arrives

The incurable complainants continue to wallow in self-pity & expending energy negatively - never cry over spilled milk - nothing much can be achieved

What have you achieved in the last 11 months? Many can only look back in awe

When "it's everyone's problem, you need not fret"! Just go with the flow but stay away from it's onslaught & destructive paths

Water seep through rocks & new rivers form from clogged riverbanks

Be like water; no form, no shape, no designs - adapt

Everyone is worried about their future but few are prepared to forearm himself with knowledge & skills necessary to achieve his preferred goals

COVID has proven that nothing is impossible - lockdown, sealed borders, restricted mobility, surveillance, closed ports & disrupted logistics, work from home, home learning...

Put aside the noises from COVID & prepare yourself for the new normal where many a stuck with regrets, self-pity, doubts, fears, disillusions, distractions and blaming the dynamically challenging situation 

You cannot change others nor can you dictate terms with Nature; go with the flow - change yourself and the world changes with you

Is change necessary for survival? No, but the ability to adopt and adapt is 

Live best when others live worse is the decider of winners

Do whatever fits & do not wait until you are not able then that you wanna climb the highest mountain, swim in the deepest ocean, run the full marathon, or for that matter, fight for a cause 

When was the last time you spend quiet moments with your family, send a bouquet to your spouse, cook a meal & enjoy it by the seaside, visit your parents, or simply take a walk around your neighbourhood? Give yourself a chance to do it...Do It Now

When the last month on the calendar leaves, many will recycle their "NewYear Resolutions" - repeating the same solutions to an existing problem is a fool's ideal

The LAST is definitive - everyone lives until the last breathe, the last supper, the last hope, the last...

Do not waste time wallowing in self pity, overthinking & laze - the next destination is yours for the taking

Between birth and death, you write your (own) destiny

Don't be the last man standing; nobody's there to back you & when you're dead, you'd need to crawl back to your grave

Do not waste your next 31 days - make your last month definitive & proceed to achieve your dreams & create a lasting memory

It's a fine line between the fool & genius, darkness & dawn(break), success & failures, life & death 

Be Lasting, Not Last

Surviving On Little

save & stretch the dollar...

How to, & why do you, save when inflation kicks in where your $1 today buys $0.80 next month? The meagre interest rate of 0.5% pa offered by banks doesn't help neither does the stagnant income

The million dollars question is "is it better to be able to buy something, expensive though, than not able to by anything even if you have money"? This only applies to non-necessities

Where necessities are concerned, you get lesser because your money shrinks while the rich grumbles about their lower real purchasing power

Why did prices of goods rise despite the dampening of global demands by Covid? It is the unfortunate cycles of mismatches: the abundance produce were trapped & undelivered when Covid hit & lockdowns begun. Producers distraught by inability to distribute & sell, cut supplies by destruction of existing stocks and reduced production. Distribution channels were further paralyzed by the breakdown of logistics flows

Oil is >$80; why so in a globally slowed economy? Production is struggling to match recovery in demands from low(er) as many idle fields need to restart

Costs of living is spiraling up despite stagnant income and unemployment & underemployment

Inflation almost always hurt the poor man first as real income falls

How to find the cheapest, fair quality "Buys"? With so many eSites, do a spreadsheet on the items from the various sites to draw comparison - cheap doesn't mean poor quality. Buy whatever you need, not want

When you lower your expectations, you have lesser disappointments

The world will spin whether you like it or not, alive or dead

Many are complaining about the ever changing policies, including restrictions & termination of employment of the unvax

Jab at your own risks also mean you must be given a choice - the choice of say "NO"

Who will pay for any medical eventualities, if at all? Yourself; that's why the "NO" must remain sacred  

Eat & spend within your means and buy what you need, not what you want

The financial markets in US have enjoyed years of rises, growth & bountiful prosperity whereas markets in the East are undergoing monumental correction

Were smart money finding heaven in the West where money makes monies & where hard working production make meagre returns in the East? The root to this is perception

The West buys into the future & spend ahead of time whereas the East is the global workshop toiling to provide for global demands

When reality hits & the house of cards collapsed, pains and blood will flood the street

Cost push and demand pull economics shrink real purchasing power; inflation rears it's head

Leveling down allows those lower down the food chain to catch up

But, you'd need an "anarchy of financial armageddon" to redistribute wealth more equitably 

Lines at soup kitchen grows, unemployment & underemployment are the new norm

Stretching the dollar to survive will be the new norm before more can be saved & accumulated in the recovery phase

Lie low, keep going, stay healthy and sane...the lights will return

Fleet Footedness

 change like a flip of a coin...

Time is the best friend; it bury & heals 

Like an almost empty vase, drips of water fill over time & experiences accumulate

The best is yet to be but the world continues evolving even if you stop or quit

Time and tides wait for no man

Pains will heal but scars remain; the subtle memories of experiences past

Overcome the past & conquer all eventualities or be a victim upon circumstances

Nothing is too hideous to swallow when life is at stake as dead man tell no tales

Leadership, like a dead fish, rods from the head & it's stench is smelt miles away while the underlings suffer the fallouts

Choose your friends and leaders wisely as many are just passers-by; 浑水摸鱼 they'd 'top slice' the choicest piece

November 2021 is here despite tough and uncertain beginning - time flows - good or bad

Be slow to judge, slower to comment and offer an endearing ear - listen patiently & attentively

Life will never be the same when a dear one departs; it's a chapter where possibly one lead character exits & whatever is left are fond memories

Walk away from lies, half truths & misinformation

Never volunteer too much personal information nor get too involve in anothers life emotionally

When no emotion is involved, decisions are more logical, stable & resolvable yet contained

Stay away from vindictive, selfish, self serving, greedy & suspicious characters as it's too tiring defending the indefensible

Bernard Lawrence Madoff, an American fraudster and financier who ran the largest Ponzi scheme in history, worth about $64.8 billion, said "The whole government is a Ponzi scheme”. He was at one time chairman of the NASDAQ stock exchange

Don't blame the conman, the politicians, your friends...learn not to be gullible & have wishful thinking

“You’re either lucky or blessed. Which would you choose? Me? I’d choose clever.”  ― V.E. Schwab, A Conjuring of Light

How fast we adopt & adapt to changes, more often than not, determine the outcome - the desired result when crystalised is a result of our efforts

We may change with the circumstances or push through our thoughts but we must never change the Laws of Nature, that is, somethings need time; from pupae to butterflies, from buds to flowers, then fruits, the changing of tides & wind directions...

In the last 20years or so, the world's leading stockmarkets have soared & any major drop is followed by recovery into new highs; Man has taken this as a norm

COVID has disrupted the/all norms

In uncertain times, be patient but fleet footed

Trust no one with your life & relies on instincts... the 6th sense

Life Awkwardness & Weaknesses

immerse in misery or rejig to cheerfulness...

Hurts don't kill; it's the indulgence in misery that intoxicate the mind

An intoxicated mind is self-destructive & poison the social ecosystem

The longer it lingers, the more fatal it becomes & the end is almost always terminal

Get away, get over ... it's a journey, not a destination

Time is the best friend; it heals all pains

All shalt pass... why keep the hurts & losses when nights will turn day soon

Stay fit & healthy; safe, of course. Tomorrow is another new day

Work stresses, business uncertainties, family quarrels are dockets of challenges that surface from time to time

We work to live, not live to work - enjoy every moments of life - live proactively

How do you define a person is wealthy? When he can & will spend the money to buy whatever he wants without much hesitation nor worries. He takes care of himself and fulfil his personal needs. 

If a rich man couldn't even spend $20 on his favourite meal, he is living miserably.

When your loved ones or a close friend departs, a whole new chapter begins without that person... it's not a continuity

The journey forward is filled with memories & fondness 

Contrary, life will never be the same but still flows

Enjoy your life to the fullest with whatever minimal you have

Nobody is any happier that you leave behind a fortune. Why? If they love you, they feel sad that you didn't care enough for yourself. If they don't love you, they don't deserve the inheritance

该来的总是会来 - 随缘

If FateBook is destiny, you have a choice - only the dates of being born and death is recorded; the journey is for you to decide 

Adoff Hitler, JFKennedy, Bernie Madoff, Mao TzeDong, Lee Kuan Yew, Deng XiaoPing, Churchill, Stalin...wrote their own destiny - you TOO

Make your mark in you life & live to the fullest 酸甜苦辣 is only a taste & it changes... I chose light taste in my life & accepts the occasional uplift 

You may see me suffer but you will never see me tear

I command & control my Providence, the ups & downs are part of the story

When it's time for me to leave, I'd have told all my lifetime stories - the real, the agony, the achievements, the defeats, the betrayals & my own follies

I am just as human as anyone with weaknesses & awkwardness

Hurts Never Kill

 if you can shoulder it...

The amount of load that you can carry and continues to carry is the surest sign that you are not burdened nor suffering under that weight nor pressures

Parents give everything to their kids to lighten their lives & create possibilities

The loved (被爱者）will be showered with blessings, cares, gifts, opportunities; at times, beyond the affordability of the givers

When love strikes, the sacrifices are almost infinite but there is a price for everything

Playing with emotions can be pricy though; the repercussions may also be equally explosive

Nothing comes for free

Whenever something crops up amongst friends, I seldom ask "why"! If he wants to tell, he would have done so. If he doesn't, he will cook-up a story to placate everyone. That's the same as someone asking for a loan

It's better to be a good listener than a good counselor as most ask for a listening ear to pour out their sorrows

I love the rain; walking in the rain where tears & rain comingle as water - the Soul is blessed with showers and the heart lightens without burnout & nobody sees the weaknesses of the self

When the mirror is broken but restored, the hairline cracks remain, however faint

When your boss breaks his promises. when your better half breaks the trusts, when your most desired 'dream was not forthcoming nor materializing', it's best to bite the bullet, accept the fact, take a impactful punch and walk away

You may be hurt badly but wounds do heal ... it takes time

The scars are Trophy of Experiences

Many a times, setbacks are self-inflicted; from the parent who sacrificed everything to send her kid to college but landed in aged home, to the lover who gave every inch away & only to receive unrequited love and the willingness to be incarcerated for another crime

There are no fools but stupidity; fools do 'wake up'. The stupid person is like someone who died and is oblivious of his surroundings and the people around him is suffering the consequences of his acts 

You live and passes on in due course; do not take advantage of others unnecessarily

Debts will need to be repaid whereupon emotional debts have limitless retributions. It's like fire - a match can burn a forest

If you discover yourself being used or manipulated, walk away & start afresh - the pains will go away

Why bother with revenge than to watch him falter in a larger game 雨过天晴

Take it easy however demanding the situation is as all shalt pass

He who laughs last, laughs best 

In this trying moments, the lighter the mind, the easier the journey

Let GO & every awakening is a new day

Adopt & Adapt

alone in the wilderness...

When you think you are needed & indispensable, you're probably still useful

But, when you die, the globe continues to spin with one person less

In fact, some were already forgotten when they're alive - the abandoned kids, the rejected parents & the rough stays

Lonely & alone aren't exactly loneliness

Are you lonely or do you choose to be alone to enjoy the serenity of life; the undisturbed peace, not unlike meditation & retreats

Or, were you the disruptive, problematic, self-centred type that many chose to avoid?  The hermit lives in his own world

Famous & rich people commit suicide not because they have no friends but because they cannot find someone close and reliable to confide ; where the listening ears outweigh the counseling 

Humans are social animals; the need to be around people and to be recognised 

君子之交淡如水

Conversely, when you over-provide and care too much for a close one, your utility diminishes - he cannot see the value of your contributions but instead felt invasion of privacy & space

Such persons should be left in the woods & feed to the wolves!

Express appreciation with shared compassion; you cannot demand help 

A match can light up total darkness. The brightest spark is the break of dawn. The lighthouse informs of shallow ground and shore is probably nearby - darkness & light interchanges

When one chapter closes, another begins although the pains remain

As the pages flip & past, a new ecosystem surfaces and joy is redefine; nobody should indulge in self-pity

You maybe abandoned & alone but life gets back to normal once you've adjusted

Laughing My Way To Victory

anything is possible...

Offshore accounts hidden in tax heavens islands (BVIs, HongKong, US(South Dakota), Singapore (AsiaCiti Trust is one of the key player & based in Singapore) by high profile people; kings, politicians, artists, princlings, wives of the "who's who" 

What's impossible? COVID closed international borders and clipped the wings of flights, Man are caged in, experimental vaccinations are applied directly onto Man & ...the animals are watching

All living things lived on air, water and sunlight; with COVID, air becomes a commodity - you pay to breath oxygen

Air is free but not for too long. Water was abundance but no longer drinkable; nations will go to war to secure drinkable water. Sunshine is available but a nuke-war may darken the sky

Spend your time with your love ones and disassociate with those who 'milk' you, talk down to you, betray you and 'sold' you 拉黑 - keep your family & bosom friends & clear the casual acquaintances

Time is finite

Nothing is impossible - believe in yourself & explore the unexplored

Trust in GOD, be compassionate & offer aid to the less fortunate and eat lesser meat (i can't say don't eat meat ; to each his own)

Colonel Sunders began his chicken business (KFC) at aged 65, with $105 (his social security cheque) as capital, during the Great Depression. He saw opportunities

Sir Charlie Chaplain has an absent father and his mother struggled financially; nothing stopped him from being successful as an actor, producer & director. He was able to laugh off miseries

When you are too busy making a living, there is no time for worries and complaints

An idle mind is a devil's workshop; spend your time reading (a widespread of) topics of interests; someday, they will be useful

Your energy is best spend on positive motivational plans than disuse in overthink

Many successful people spend time creating and commercializing their creation & do not wallow in misery

It's normal to face obstacles and complain but wouldn't the energy be better used finding solutions? I resolve and rein-in problems; with victory, to seek compensation is an afterthought

Let go of your past failures and disharmony. The world loves a winner & if you're standing high on the pedestal, your beacon lights up the world & everyone comes to you

COVID levels down society's social status & allow many an opportunity to climb the social ladder

Unless, you see opportunity, you are doomed to remain status quo 

Go with the flow; some day soon you will reach the peak of your dream...

The Normal Cycle - Everything Ends & Re-start

everything ends...

Live your best when others live worse

From birth to death; everything is a journey

You learn & arm yourself with 'qualifications' cum experiences and better your chances of achieving your goals

Everyone has different goals 心有多大 舞台就多大

Some struggled throughout their lives but achieved little but others hardly pushed their finger & rewards are abundant

This world will never be fair - the earlier you accept it, the lighter the frustration, disappointments & bondage

All promises are empty until delivered

If I need to make a choice between trust and money, I'll take money - with money i can trade trusts 有钱不是万能 无钱万万不能

Money is only a means to an end, not an end by itself

Life  has never been tough if you care to void yourself of emotions and expectations

Do whatever fits, take whatever comes ... as from life to death is only a breath away

When you help others, it's a spent force & do not expect appreciation, repayment nor acknowledgement

Whatever rewards, if any, are incidentals

I live once & every day is a bonus - I'll do & go where my heart takes me, logic aside yet without messing up my life

Tomorrow is never promised

Like it or not, we are already in October, 2021 - 3/4 of a year is gone and many are none the wiser but still entrench in the Covid-war, struggling to understand

Money: Will the many zeroes be eliminated & its value debased? Let's ride the cycle 

From 1900 to now, the stockmarket, where monies are distributed, is a good indicator of the well-being of economies - boom, bust, recovery

Man (central banks) has created the windows to print money, to multiply it's effects, to shore up confidence and to keep the cycles spinning

COVID did not floor the economies but has definitely slowed the spin

US and China trade spats have aided the slow down but stock market in US has been roaring, none the less

Smart money is always looking for safe heaven but I have doubts if the US markets, especially the eBusinesses & futuristic concepts (eVehicles, space travel, AI + Robotics), can last without major adjustments

Buying into the future is buying into a promise but the world is in consumption mode; here & now

As many are cautious of the Jupiter Effects, every major drop enjoys an equally strong rebound

When confidence wears thin and disappears, 2022 will usher in the "1929 effects"...watch out, you read it here 

The physical signs are here but ignored: 

**Long Q@soup kitchens

**unemployment & underemployment

**wealth concentration in a few (google: The pyramid shows that: half of the world's net wealth belongs to the top 1%, top 10% of adults hold 85%, while the bottom 90% hold the remaining 15% of the world's total wealth, top 30% of adults hold 97% of the total wealth)

**disrupted logistics and supply chain 

**shortage of food

**natural calamities

Unless and until the above are more settled and stable, the next 6-12 months will be challenging

Worry not as this is part of the cycles; the only constant is change

Walk Away From Problems

walking away from discomforts...

I love to gather, eat, drink, exchange ideas and gossips but I'll want to stay away from quarrelsome, short-fused, loud mouths & pretentious people

Life is filled with uncertainties and challenges & you don't need negative people to mess it up further nor to cause discomforts

While we cannot dictate the ultimate outcomes, we can guide the sails towards the desired goal

There are enough sadness, challenges, setbacks, disappointments and failures that almost overwhelm everyone daily; so why add more? Leave me alone to enjoy my simple life

拉黑 There are many who want to drag you down

Eliminate the free riders, gossips & loose cannons and all who want to "beggars thy neighbors"

COVID dampens everyone's spirit but why should we be dispirited instead of living best when others live worst? Time changes and people change 

Be there when the good time comes around as (a) dead man tells no tales

放不下是因为还抗得起 People continue carrying their burdens out of emotion, not necessity

辛苦但心不能苦 No matter what happened, do not give up as night will see bright light too - the crack at dawn is brightest

Why indulge in misery as "all shalt pass"; good days, bad days are cyclical moments in life

Never bring your miseries to others, especially your love ones - take a cold shower, have a warm meal washed down with a light drink... listen to some soothing music & clears your mind before you sleep. Tomorrow is still a new day

We owe ourselves the right to smile - smiles lighten the heart & cures all disappointments

I have seen dark days & been to the darkest tunnels & I vow always to 'turn on the light' or 'light a match' to brighten every/any darkness

I am the lighthouse of my life

I Am Mr Success

 dragging one's feet, even if voluntary, is tough...

I am stuck in the mud since March 2020 & many attempts to jump up and out of the quicksand resulted to deeper dives

Everything is being done to boost the spirit and keep the mind sane and functional

Fear is ever present when mobility is stifled and severely restricted

Confidence wears off after repeated defeats: whoever says "failure is the mother of success" has not succeeded

Success breeds more successes - the secrets of attraction

Every step forward in the right direction is forward looking - it could be the step into newfoundland

Every new frontier is borderless as you explore into the unknown - whoever ever believes "from the ashes come the phoenix?" That is, from nothing comes something

Millions of sperms but only one gets to fertilize the egg - you only need one good break

While the ecosystem grinds to a halt, I read to widen my knowledge and seek fresh solutions to existing challenges   不是想不到 只是还没想到

Tomorrow's gonna be better; more importantly, I must be around

Nothing is easy but everything is promising

Who dares win - the winner is the one who stayed long enough, with grit and initiatives and ultimately gets to crack the code

Remember: even the most 'impregnable' safe box can be opened by a locksmith

Long after the last person leaves, the spoils are still around to be picked

Help Your Fellowmen

 helping others is an honor but many demand their 'rights'...

From the depth of mud and dirt, lotus and water lily bloom

They float and flaunt their beauty, bright colors & sturdy crowns, and dance in the breeze

Nobody complains about the dirt below & all sing praises about its charming bloom; it's beauty simply overwhelms 

People recognize and love every thing bright, commandeering and wins & few share the pains of how victories were achieved

Pain is forgotten when the heart lightens up 

Paralympians and olympians get different level of recognition, the former are given much lesser attention and accolades

This world will never be equal; the earlier you accept it, the easier your journey in life 

Magnanimity and compassion make living easier

There are more than enough to go around if the rich don't hoard & there are fair and equatable distribution

Class divide is a deliberate act to differentiate the social classes; the "HAVEs" & the "HaveNOTs", with aristocracy, elitism helming the top 

To breed pliance and loyalty, many are made to "eat out of the hands" of the highest class & those who don't comply are ostrasized, dismissed as minions and 'forced to beg on bended knees - with me or against me is the motto

Costs of living is uncomfortably high and getting higher as unemployment and underemployment bite, coupled with stagnant to depressed wages 

COVID didn't make things any better

There are many public spirited who help or offer varieties of help, away from the limelight and vanity seekers

Why is Singapore/Singaporeans so divided? The top seemed to employ "divide & rule" to cement their grip on the gullible and 'dependants'

Economic issues are laced with racism and xenophobia to paralyse any reasonable debates

I longed to see the old Singapore of the 90s; many industries were helmed by Singaporeans and Singaporeans held their heads high in finance, MNCs, mid-technology, medicines and...unlike today where Singaporeans first is least entertained & scorned at times

PMETs doing delivery, PHDs; the gig economy became the norm whereas foreigners parachute in & displace locals - is this the future for aspiring Singaporeans? NO!

What will change or how can Singapore change to cater to Singaporeans first? It starts with policy makers but changes must start with oneself - DO NOT let others 'write' your Fate

Singapore, like companies, was/were not built in a day nor by instant gratifications - you can import people but you cannot import loyalty & commitments

Let us start by helping the less able, less fortunate and the fallen one

Little by little, we will pick up and build the Nation & ecosystem we desired where justice, equality, meritocracy, transparency and integrity rules

Nobody's anti-government but least desirous policies need to be repealed & replaced with our own aspirations where the grounds are more levelled

When death comes, the grave is about the same size & so is the urn 

Help your Singaporean fellowmen

When Singapore was caught in the WW2, the Chinese, Malay, Indians, Eurasian & others fought as one

Will the diluted and enlarged population fight as one in the next war? Not sure! Not even surprised if it's like Afganistan where a "90days hold" collapsed in 10days

Start by offering little, a little help to Singaporeans & make Singaporeans first our motto

Are You Ready For A Better Tomorrow?

lost in listlessness ...

Only the strongest & smartest will lead in the animal kingdom - the fittest survive

Human is lead by the shrewdest, not necessarily the smartest nor strongest because emotions are 'unstable & fluid'

He who lies without blinking his eyes gets away with murder - a lie repeated long enough becomes truth to the recipients 

Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini, Franco Duvalier - charmed their fellowmen & followers; when all else failed brutality & cruelty took over  

Do not follow blindly - the sheep arrive at the abattoir thinking its shearing

During this lull period, it's fine to relax, be listless but not restless 

发呆是一种艺术

Autumn - Fall - shed the olds and prepare for the new 

Fall is the time where Nature sheds the old, slows down with soft breeze lapping & the ecosystem adjust to the coming harsher season, Winter

We've almost 18months of COVIDed environment & the world is adjusting to a new normal

Man should set aside the recent past inconveniences & adjust to the change of seasons

Slow down when tired but never quit   

累了就休息 - 是可以放下 不可放弃

What have changed? Much but it was Nature's punctuating a big pause on Mankind; the unending "growth at all costs", the destruction of natural surroundings & habitats, deforestation, pollution of oceans, even the heights of Himalaya didn't escape humans' pollutants

Earth is sick - If Earth dies, all living inhabitants die too

The wisdom of Man are buried in greed, vanity, suspicions, domination & hoarding

When fools rule, death and destruction are certainties

Alas, cultivation of the Soul is so lacking...

If Man lives 60 or 80 years, every 1/4 is a change not unlike the seasons of Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter

15/20 years = Man is armed with knowledge and maturity to survive his journey

30/40 years = Man has cultivated experiences to help him sow, grow & prosper

45/60 years = Man harvests his fruits 种果得果  种豆得豆

60/80 years = Man & his reflections

You came naked & shalt return alone & back to dusts

Life is a journey ... we are walking towards the end & some do end earlier

Fame, glory, victory are but temporary; nice to have, good to experience 曾经拥有

Take your time to enjoy and maximize every day as time is perishable & will never return

If need be, do nothing 发呆 ; when the mind wonders, let it wonder

Man has lost time doing and chasing what he wants, not necessarily what he needs

He trades health for wealth and pays with wealth to 'restore' health towards the end

The grand oak tree fell in stormy weather whereas the blade of grass dance in the winds

Life is temporary

It's fine to "go with the flow" & not push to the end

Anything and everything at extremes destroy & cannibalize 

Relax, not be stressed but relieved & pace your life

Whatever shall be, will be 该来的 总是会来 - 已经在路上了

Are you ready to rebound and move on when COVID is over? Bet, you are not sure

Now's the time to prepare for the better tomorrow

The Tides Are Turning

 no expectations, no disappointments...

The common man has little to nil aspirations, preferring to get by with minimal disruptions 

Living hand to mouth isn't a problem; it's minimalist survival

What is most destructive is lockdown & restrictive movements during COVID

Worse, those non-vax or unable-to-vax (for whatever reasons, including medical) are 'controlled digits' & access and movements made more inconvenient  

Where is the respect for freedom of choice & citizen's rights? Afterall vax doesn't provide absolute immunity except it's less impactful if the virus strike? Relieve their burdens instead of dictating a "MUST" vax or...

Human are social animals; they need to move around, travel (tribes) & explore

The less expectations you have, the less disappointment you will get

Everything that you receive is a blessing as every bad event is a passing

COVID has made uncertainties more uncertain but many impossible(s), possible

The new normal will be eBase solutions, with minimal contacts

Human feels threatened when the unknown become widespread but are bent on control & domination when opportunities present

Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely

However, every political thoughts & practitioners start with an ideal - the desire to fight for equality, fairness, care & share with the downtroddens & less fortunate

Like many, I am apolitical

But, I believe in fairness, equality, respect, care & share, integrity and 'an honest day's work'

We are but a passing visitor on Earth & shalt leave when our obligations are done & delivered

I have no bitter aftertastes of being betrayed, set-up or ostracized, disappointed though

Well, Karma will visit & return to those who sowed 'destruction'

How far can stock markets rise? Will it collapse? Different markets perform differently ; it boils down to expectations

Wall Street has been rising for years & rebounded with every deep corrections; DJIA, S&P 500, Nasdaq are trading near all-time high    

Japan did not recover to surpass the all-time high (38,915 in December of 1989) before the collapsed in 1991; on February 15, 2021, the Nikkei average breached the 30,000 benchmark, its highest level in 30 years

The China Shanghai Composite Stock Market Index reached an all time high of 6124.04 in October of 2007; it's hovering around 3,528 points

The Hang Seng Index reached an all time high of 33484.08 in January of 2018. Today, it hung around 25,523

The Singapore STIndex reached an all time high of 3906.16 in October of 2007. As at current, it's trading at 3,099

The Thai stock market index made all-time high on the first trading day of 2018, closing at 1,778.53 points; today's index is 1,628

Noticeably, only the US stock market is trending at/near all time high, while the Asian-centric markets are still largely a distance away as stock markets are not homogeneous

Smart money finds save heaven & US has consistently proven itself to be an investment heaven

We are at end August, entering September ...the knacks of a market collapse (sharp swings), typically Sep/Oct period, is heightened

Take you winnings early before being windswept away

A healthy stock market is a good indicator of prosperity ... we/all know Asia didn't enjoy much prosperity lately

The tides are turning

The erratic environment, bathe with mutant virus spread, is putting a stop to social & economic activities but all shall pass in due course

There is nothing to celebrate now but it pays to stay alive & healthy as good days are around the corner

For Yourself, By Yourself

slow down in uncertainty & enjoy the view...

Man sets dateline and milestone to accomplish goals, often chasing his goals at the expense of his health

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished - Lao Tzu

There is a time for everything but Man seeks to expedite his achievements at any costs

天时地利人和 there is an opportune time where the dream crystalizes

Lockdowns, closing of international borders, clipping the wings of aeroplanes, ports closure... almost total paralysis of the global system

Man are caged in for their own safety and the ecosystem cleans up

Nature reclaim her prominence and bloom

Man should live simply and not hoard resources by eliminating non-essentials

If you buy what you don't need, someday you will discover that you cannot exchange them for what you need

The rush to achieve & display of 'wealth & achievements' are vanity, not wisdom

Our need to prove to others is our achilles heel & a vain temptation

I have been looking at how to slow down my life? But, now, I realized it's not the slowing down that creates frustration and disruption. It's my desire to achieve & prove to "the world" that I can

Frankly, nobody pays any attention to me nor what I'm doing, not least to talk about achievements

If you're gone tomorrow, at most some will visit your wake & a few will send you off on your final journey; missing you is an absolute no, NO

I am awakened

I will not indulge in vanity nor hollow illusions

I will do whatever I deemed necessary to discover my routes toward my goals & ignore the glare of unwanted attention

路是人走出来的 - 条条大路通罗马

We came alone & shall return alone - life is a lonely journey

There is no need to rush as we run towards death; our ultimate end point

Let me do whatever I want or thought that that's what I want as life, like water, water never flows backwards

I am not slowing down but making every steps count, minus vanity & seeking disillusions

I have to satisfy myself, love myself before I can go to the world like a loose canon of magnanimity

Nobody cares if I make it or not but I must start to live for myself today & NOW

Every seconds become minutes, turning into hours and days - & they are all mine to dispose

I have lost much time idling, seeking vanity & shooting in the dark

Today & now I AM AWAKENed

 

Happiness Is A Living Thing

 resurrect happiness ...

Happiness lies within - live & breathe it

Anyone can make you unhappy but you can choose to ignore & not receive it

The ecosystem is not almighty but does influence plausible outcomes

Humans are emotional animals & the emotive monster within must be managed & controlled

If not disciplined, life can be very disruptive &  challenging

Man can give up his kingdom for a beauty but the beauty can twist & twiddle the Man on her little finger

The world will never be equal; equality of the genders is a fairy tale

If they preached that Heaven is so good then why didn't they leave for the destination asap? Heaven is only a slogan for happiness

Live your best when others live worst is happiness; the ability to ignore unexpected challenges that affect all - when it's everybody's problem, it's no more a problem

We cannot make everyone happy but when you/we are happy, the world smiles back

Money, fame and power do not necessarily bring happiness; they help though

However, magnanimous and helpful you are, expect nothing in return - there is much pains waiting for appreciation

A moody, disgruntled, frustrated, dissatisfied and unmotivated Soul cannot breathes the blessings of/from Heaven

Happiness is the spark in the lighthouse - the light that leads ships away from shallow waters & troubles

The power of Faiths and beliefs lessen any mental pressures & unsolicited distractions

The calm, peacefulness and serenity of the Mind builds a healthy physique

Happiness is a motivator and keeps the person young & energised

Happiness is a choice; if you wanna be sad & find faults, nothing that Heaven delivers can save you

My journey maybe tough, with ups, downs and swiveling around but my smile is my lighthouse

Alone is not loneliness, empty is not void

Seeing through life challenges is like the winds against the sail - be guided

You can't change the weather but you can redirect the sail

Tomorrow gonna be better...

Contrarian Outlook

everything is normal...

Noticeably, WallStreet has beaten MainStreet expectations and continues to rise

Trade wars between US and China & others, instead of stalling US, have boosted the US economy, even raising performances & profits for businesses

Despite Covid & the intermittent lockdowns, the medical & gig economies staffed off structural unemployment while logistics boom & eCommerce shot through the roof. Demand for housing also rise with commodities prices racing ahead

What's ahead is as unclear as it's unpredictable but one thing's for sure: expect the unexpected & there is no immediate solution for the next explosive event - a collapsed economy, a run on currency, a sudden change of political leader or simply, a natural calamity of a magnitude unseen in history

The uncertainty is certain; it's a natural cycle of events

Food and soft commodities prices will rise due to shortage and the inefficiencies of logistics

Precious metals prices shall climb but commercial & industrial metals will peak and turn down

Equities will rise until "the loss of confidence (run) of a currency" & many will be "throwing out the baby with the water"

COVID is a clear sign that Nature wants a "leveling down" to equilibrate the distribution of resources

There is no secret to overcoming the Covid threat: 

1. Treat Mother Earth with care & share - there are enough resources to go around & no humans are born more superior than another. Deforesting & destroying large swathe of land in the name of progress is a strict "NO, No, no"

2. Humans are GOD-fearing and must build upon Faiths to balance the unknown "X"-Factor; atheists included. Compassion to fellow human beings - the need to care & share with the less fortunate & less able

3. Get plentiful of sunshine and exercises to power up the Soul and the physique

There is no known cures for virus (attacks)

The new normal is the unadulterated normal since mankind - grow at you own pace, care & share, have enough & do not hoard nor practice gluttony, do not be envious & greedy. Change is the only constant & go with the flow

When COVID is over, many will ride the next cycle of peace & prosperity

From dusts to dusts; we came, we saw, we leave

Live a simple life; for tomorrow is never promised

Stones & batons break bones but hurtful words don't

拉黑Walk away from unwanted attention & confrontation - never wrestle with a pig

拉清单It's imperative to set a baseline & be prepared to "fight or flight" & be like water

Fear not

 

A contrarian is one who sees the normalcy of things that many viewed as an aberration or disruption - almost emotionless & logical in judgement

I may dislike the lockdowns but I accept the forced slowdown wherein I rethink my ideals and plot the next move - many "must-dos" have became "unimportant, obsolete & irrelevant"

Family takes priority & health comes first before wealth - nothing has change

Most contrarians will live to see another day whereas those who fights the Laws of Nature has a high incidence of defeat - you simply cannot swim against the tides

Laws Of Nature Are Man-centric

control or lack of control...

Forget about control as there is no definite method to control any outcomes

You can insist but nobody will, nor needs to, oblige if they aren't interested in your rewards & incentives

If you need the income, you are enslaved & bondage rules

If you do not need the income, you can sack your "boss", however luxurious the rewards

We eat to live & not live to eat; work is a supplementary means to an end

Pursuing our ideals are natural instincts but few achieve any, if at all

The fears, concerns, doubts, overarching thinking & fading interests over time kill achievement of goals

Many pawn their Fate to their preferred superior/leader as they retreat into their cocoons & become dependent & blind followers

Their Fate is sealed but they remained clueless

事在人为 有人才有事

Man builds, Man destroys - the wise man live in harmony with Nature & harness her strengths while fools challenge

When 5% of the richest control 95% of world's wealth, anarchy will follow as resources are hoarded, poverty rules, famine rife as incentives to sow, plough the land, plant and harvest reduced; the grit to work evaporates

Revolution happens when the commoners are deprived and their voices suppressed; the rich cannot live in a sea of poor

Class divide forces the deprived and ostracized to fight back, not for want of nothingness but survival

Dead man tells no tales

Water: water is the source of life & fortunes

Water, water, water everywhere but drinkable waters are rare to many

Nations will go to war to secure drinkable water sources and supplies

Man has contaminated many water sources & the oceans are polluted - Nature simply can't clean the oceans fast enough to stall pollution

Without water, life stops

You cannot control everything and every outcomes but you can minimize the damage to the environment and ecosystem

Man must share whatever resources Mother Earth provides as, unlike animals, Man has a conscience

There is enough to go around

GOD will not end the world but human/Man is highly capable to self-destruct

Man has been toying with nuclear weapons & pushing to near plausibility to fight with the worst gunpowder - aka nukes

Nothing is for sure - the next time someone calls a bluff, that could also be the end of mankind

Communism, capitalism and socialism are concepts that help Mankind but the overzealousness to outdo & outperform one another will be Mankind's waterloo

There is no absolute & everything and every outcomes are relative

Will August Be As Eminent And Illustrious?

every time is different...

This lockdown could have been avoided & is very uncalled for 

While it is important to stay safe and healthy, the daily imported cases is not giving consolation to the mass 

The inconsistency of policies added weight to uncertainties, good intent though

Costs, by extension inflation, keep increasing, mobility are being restricted yet massive gathering can be contemplated, gaslighting pushed many into self-doubt, segregating the vaxxed and unvaxxed is not unlike apartheid where vax is not an absolute, ideal antidote without side-effects...

Alas! This is not the moment for witch hunt but there are lots of denials and finger pointing

Natural calamities & diseases will blow over & on their paths shall lay casualties and destruction 

Unless truthful and fluid, SOPs cannot solve most dynamic issues & its dogmatic application can only make matters worse; you can adopt preventive measures but be prepared for the clean-ups thereafter

The human race triumphs on expansion and fears contraction but will never (understand the need to) slow down nor to allow Mother Earth some respite

Climatic changes are norms & have occurred for millions of years & nothing can nor will change that

The speed where information flows breed fearmongering & intimidation and allow politicians to monetize calamities; putting a value to everything also meant that some days soon, you need to pay for the air you breathe!

In uncertainty, slow down, stay calm & take calculated risks where necessary; live to fight another day

Wisdom is when Singaporeans take priority over foreigners and self-determination returns

Power is when Singaporeans decide their own Fate instead of relying on foreigners 

Yes, Singapore was a nation of emigrants but post independent Singapore today composed of true blue, locally born Singaporeans who served NS/NSmen to protect our sunny island

Let go of your dependency on foreigners, especially PRs who still refused to take up our citizenship after 20years - the Parasitic Residents indeed

Repatriate all foreigners who ostracize Singaporeans, intentionally game our Laws & lord over the locals; there's no lost love. I am not racist nor xenophobic. I am pro-Singaporeans    

By letting go, you become free; so long as you Don't Depend on them, they are useless & have o bargaining power 

August will again be eminent and illustrious as Singaporeans regain control of Singapore

Like many Singaporeans, I am a law abiding & will remain in our sunny island, come rain or sunshine

The politicians shall craft broad base policies to guide the mass, the businesspersons will entrepreneurally grow Singapore, the working class shall provide the means to the end while the family units solidify our fundamentals

When the ill-winds blow over, Singapore & SINGAPOREANS should be ready and revitalized for a better tomorrow

Whoever is too proud to admit (your) wrongs, be stoic; use this lull to correct and change   

The better Singapore depends on you & every Singaporeans - every drips fill the ocean

Be The Decider & Winner

facing the choices ...

With choice, comes Destiny

If you ever grant another to manage your affairs, beware of who you trust to execute your choices

When you trust blindly, your life is weaponrise & your future is at the disposal of another who will write your Destiny

Many of us are happy to get by, with a roof over our heads, with family members and a decent job

But, there is nothing to stop others from bashing up our destiny &, in its place, achieve theirs

The indigenous American Indians, the Australian Aborigines & even the Africans did not want external developments on their ancestral lands but were butchered, chased out of their homeland and made 'slaves' 

You cannot trust a scheming person, a dominant yet deceitful player who readily make empty promises

You can be forgiving but who will help ease your burdens? Not him! By the time you decide that you must reclaim your rights, you are probably a spent force

The power to influence cannot be underestimated; Hitler did it & so did Pol Pot. Trump almost sold his epic slogan: "our election win was stolen" to the American voters

Many blame Providence for that they were dealt a bad hand but you can play to win - being born poor is not your option but dying poor may be due to your dysfunctional decisions

When you were schooling, your grades depend on yourself

When you started working, your performances depend largely on yourself in the given ecosystem; a masterful stroke will enable you to leapfrogged the ranks & join the giants

Your chance to succeed lies within you - your liberated mind is a potent force

I have my fair share of hits and misses, maybe more misses

Today, I am again faced with a spread of choices - different era, different choices but all shalt be etched in time 

Success takes a different meaning

Material gains take second place

Maybe, age has caught up...but NO, I am not a bean counter & 61 beans cannot be plentiful

My immediate future is a mirage in the making

The exponential growth that will propel me into a new league of players

Whether it's spiritual, commercial, personal or the harmonious balance of my Soul - I dont know

But, I have a choice & I will  

 

Turn Disappointments Into Motivators

disappointments are motivators...

Economy must spend herself out of recession

With bankruptcies, new ones can begin

Too big to fail is a fallacy; failures reflect management weaknesses, inabilities & callousness, at times, bordering on corruption

When Govt adds taxes & raise charges on an already limping economy, the results are bitterness, frustration, dissatisfaction and potential anarchy

Troubles brew when, instead of sharing the thinned treasury, more are dug out from the commoners while the rulers & Mandarins line their pockets & live luxuriously; the rich cannot live in a sea of poors

Gandhi was able to instigate independence from UK because of the imposition of Salt Tax

Petrol & water taxes hit everyone but drown many a poor family; will Carbon Tax be the Waterloo

Man is a determined animal and can take much punching but "the straw that breaks the camel's neck" is almost weightless

Nobody wants anarchy but opportunists are prepared to burn the forest for the land

History has also shown that after diseases & calamities, economies turned better; after 1918-20 Spanish Flu came the roaring 20s (twenties)

The financial crisis was primarily caused by deregulation in the financial industry. That permitted banks to engage in hedge fund trading with derivatives. Banks then demanded more mortgages to support the profitable sale of these derivatives. ... That created the financial crisis that led to the Great Recession...& Walls Street has been beating Main Street eversince

Bear with it...bear with it until the ill winds pass

The loss of jobs, the stagnant wages, the limping economy, the ever-increasing costs of living...bathe with negative sentiments & intimidated by Covid are latent implosives

How do you convert disappointments into motivators? First, CHANGE...change yourself (approaches) & the world changes with you 

Complaints, being hopeful and regrets don't change anything; you are stuck in the quicksand of promises & blind hopes

It's not my problem is another pantomime - like a fairy tale - all's well as it's others' problems & you shall live happily ever after

You either decide your own destiny or someone else gonna write your Providence

You cannot depend on anybody to fight for your rights

Stalin couldn't depend on Churchill to start fighting the Germans in a new front though he initially agreed & that almost costs Russia to fall

Ho Chi Min thought the French & Americans would back him but he had to fight to disengage both, push them out and unite Vietnam

It's left to be seen if, or will, the US intervene & stand by the Philippines or Taiwan should a/any conflicts erupt with China!

I guess, deep in their hearts, the ASEAN countries knew that it is more promising and rewarding to negotiate, influence and win China's cooperation in the development of resources, in and around SCSeas, than to rely on the US - the Philippines has proceeded to jointly develop her resources with China with some successes

On a smaller scale, we have our share of disappointments & empty promises but if we do not put a stop to the unrelenting challenges, nil-priorities for locals & costs increases, milking will continue - it's not a confrontation of any kinds but a time to realize "You Are On Your Own", promises aside

Turn disappointments into motivators

When you change, the world changes with you

All Men are made equal but many give up their rights in exchange for comforts, verbally at times

GOD is levelling down for you; are you ready to make up for your lost times? Stop complaining and start living

A New Era Is Near

smooth sailing...

The mind determines the goal's achievability 

Successful people achieve & many mentioned that luck was the key catalyst - the spark that burns bright

Without the fire, what will weld ideas into realities? Hard work alone is not enough

The proletariat (working class) alone cannot break the wealth hoard of the bourgeoisie (middle class) whose lobbying to the government could stifle & suppress their (working class) aspirations

When resources are shared & spread equitably, harmony prevails as there are enough to go around

When the workers have fair compensation, productivity improves

Suppressed wages, uneven & unfair treatment and compensations breed contempt - a workforce that merely work enough to 'pass the day'

What aspirations can come out of a disenfranchised workforce? Nothing substantial, just work & wait for payday

Everyone of us is unique & each has a role to play

人生本来就是戏班 做好本分

When you play your role well, achievement is almost assured, however small

In Space shuttle Columbia's 28th mission, a piece of the spray-applied polyurethane foam^[1] insulation broke off from the Space Shuttle external tank and struck the reinforced carbon–carbon leading edge of the orbiter's left wing. It was so minor yet destroyed the shuttle with all seven astronauts on reentry

Good time or bad time...shall pass; work together and manifest each other's skilllsets to meet goals, money aside

Level down, live simply, stay healthy...good days shall return

Grit, combined with the power of the mind, will make life easier 666 六六大顺

Complaints do not solve problems; use your energy positively & action changes - thoughts without actions are hopeless

Stay cool & calm in this fairly restrictive environment; mobility is checked & tracked 

When the ill winds blow past, a new normal & prosperity return

The fakes, useless & schemers will be discarded

With faith, compassion and sharing, a new era begins

Toil on...we are near the turning point; when the hearts and minds are in unison, favourable outcomes are assured

Life will be smooth again soon

Be In The Right Circle For Best Outcomes

to shine in  a gloomy day...

Hate it, love it but if you leave it...you will never be part of it

You can't fly like an eagle if you work with turkeys

The elites work within & amongst themselves because few are willing or dare to participate for fear of being out of space. Worst, the feeling of not being able to match or inferior

You are as good as you are willing to listen (someone has to talk & they need listeners), learn (speak only if you know; otherwise, research up the topics & be an intelligent participant), to ask the right question & contribute, where appropriate and be attentive and show enthusiasm

You only, and only.... need some one to take notice of you

An intelligent & relevant question could put you on the right course

If you love to cook, you can never be a Chef by working in a bank nor can you be a mechanic by working in a bar 

近墨者黑 近朱者赤

The commoners can never change policies affecting them by screaming their throats out; they need an elected Representative who shares their goals & inspirations to represent their interests, party aside

An outlier can disrupt the norm but he still need to have influence over the circles of enthusiasts

Dr Sun Yat Sun, an eloquent & articulate speaker, was more influential than Chiang Kai Shek 

Would Goh Chok Tong become the 2nd PM in Singapore if he stayed in the private sector? Less likely

Luck - the magical word - that many, both successful & failures, equate with

The fact remains you must be in the right place, right industry, be passionately driven by your desires, to outshine others & be distinct - be prepared, able & capable, knowledgeable but humble and be ready

Pounce when opportunity presents - if you remain indolent & indifference, your chance passes

You may call the in-circles cronies, leaches, spineless but as Deng XP said "black cat, white cat...so long as the cat can catch mice, it's a good cat"

Reality is also cruel 

The good leader is one who works with smarter people, never mind if they are less pliant, but deliver the desired results   

Meritocracy is not just academic capabilities; merit - the quality of being particularly good or worthy 

When the leader surround himself with good, skilled & wise people, the organisation manifest & prosper

If you want to succeed, row up your sleeves, know the strengths & weaknesses of the industry & yourself & jump into the industry; be prepared to get dirty, find a mentor & make yourself useful  

Nothing is too small for you to start & every ideas & idiosyncrasies cut some ice - your job is to pick & build on the winners

If you are in the right circle, life becomes a breeze

If you dare trade your conscience, there is little that can be deemed "obstacles"

I am not your guardian angel; for you, like me will face karma someday

Most importantly, you must be able, and allow, to sleep well

Tomorrow is never promised but ...many don't care