Frankness &

say what you mean...

People love to hear nice and pleasant things, not necessarily the real things 甜蜜的谎言

There is no eternal friends but there can be common interests

Words are cheap & promises are hollow; trust no one

I can trust everyone so long as I am not part of their game plan & eventualities 

I have learnt over the years that all promises are hollow until delivered 

Disappointments, setbacks & defeats arise when you least expect them & the best antidote is to laugh it off while the tears dry along the way

Nobody is interested to hear your sorrows while some are elated with your misery indeed

As one matures and wise up, he will accept that you need to be useful (of use), otherwise many will desert you - you are as valuable as what you can give & sacrifice

There is a price to pay for everything, including indifference

What do you see (photo: left) or feel? A naked woman carrying a ram, a determined lady or simply an art piece (Vladimir Fokanov)? I see the equality of gender where the woman is trying to prove her worth with her brute strength

This world will never be equal. Gender equality refers to occupational equality, not some genetic differentials that make man and woman different

Shouts of male-female equality are as old as fairness & equality for mankind for which both sounded noble in theory - good to have, i guess 

Many do not like to hear the truths

赢就赢，输就输 就好像水潮 上下，进退

Make your life journey worthwhile; without 'happenings' along the way, you'd have no stories to tell in your twilight years

Many appreciate frankness from those who like them

Honesty & frankness make one vulnerable & unsought frankness is called insolence

A friend is one who speaks honestly about your strengths and weaknesses whereas acquaintances sing praises effortlessly to buttress your ego  

I love accolades, praises and recognition but I can live without all these as I am who I am; I have no ego but principle

I am a loner by choice - alone is not loneliness 

My frankness has bounced back and hit me hard but I would rather be frank and fair than to lie & inflate other - I'm a bad politician

My life is battle hardened & the scars are my medals 

煞星 ：吉或凶 没有绝对

There is no absolute good or bad; everything is relative

Frankness is a virtue

Be calm & Win ALL

calm returns as the mind settles down...

We rush towards the goal, towards the end... towards tomorrow

Whatever is install ahead, nobody knows but youth is capital, mid-age uses experiences & old age can only fight selectively 

Not all fights are worthy nor necessary; letting go save lots of wasted resources and eliminates disappointments & sorrows  

Acquaintances are many but friends are few 日久见人心  路遥知马力 He who stays through thick & thin are rare

Life is a journey & you, & only you, are the surest person to take this path ...all by yourself  - it's useless being quietly hopeful that another will accompany you throughout

Take life lightly; no/lesser expectations, no/less disappointments 别想天长地久 只要要用就有

Those who are able to laugh at, & be more forgiving of, themselves, conquer more frontiers 

Long before COVID strikes & the recent Ukraine/Russia war, costs of living has been spiraling up & it has gotten worse lately. Feedbacks were viewed as anti-establishment & issues were gaslighted as "you are a failure and unable to cope whilst others can"! Think...think of what you can do to change your 'Fate' - when one changes, the world changes too

Fears & ignorance are potently (self) destructive

You die once but live on to create, initiate & change or toil until death calls 

Your sufferings are your own doings; blame no one 怨天怨地怨社会 but the fool who allows 

There is a fine line between the fool and the genius 

Rational is when you are proactive & read ahead while irrational is when you are reactive & impulsive

With grit, determination & assertion, you write your own Fate 活在当下 天助我也 - your path ahead is plotted by you & your goal is near

A calm and calculated mind conquers all

For many, this bridge ends in the sea

To the wise few, the sea joins to land & with a boat, you reach newfoundland

Stay calm in an intensely disruptive world

Do everything within you and leave those beyond you to the good GOD

Tomorrow is never promised but so is your life (span)

Trust yourself & your Soul; the Zen is your lighthouse to your furthest desires  

Potent Grit - Winning Is Everything

down but never, never out...

Somehow when misadventures strike, they flow 祸无单行 

When changes come too fast & swift, a steady mind & grit are necessary defences

The defences aren't against falling but to be able to get up again, bloodied maybe...but ready to be nursed back to fitness & return

It is not about the defeat but the ability to make a meaningful come back, well & alive; ready for the next challenge

The fight is in the dog, not the size

Life challenges are like fighting cancer - it is mind over body 

The Power of Beliefs in a Higher Being - the Great Lord - relieves lots of unnecessary sufferings

I will do my best & I will leave the rest - HE will take every negative ions off me

Man proposes, GOD disposes - the journey between being born and death is a choice

I have my fair share of defeats, especially lately...alas

I accept them as a wholesome but forced changes in my life - the discarding of the past & in with the new

Whatever is in store for me I don't know but I shalt walk ahead with "head in the air" aka bravely & stately

I am befuddled - the speed of changes hit me like a 200km windy tornado - before I rise again, the next batch of awful change bites

I may be down, definitely not out

This is my era of 'compassless' fights - challenges come from all directions, but...BUT... I believe in my ideals 路是人走出来的  条条大路通罗马

The Buddhisattva lives within me - the Zen 忍 of GOD deflects all ill-ions

 Zen - be the blade of grass that dances in the storm

What will I achieve tomorrow, I don't know but whatever I achieve will be a reflection of my intents

There is nothing more important than to live happily & healthily

Happiness within me will radiate into successes - the achievements where Kings & Paupers desire

Rest, if I must

I need not seek others understanding nor be bothered by others opinions; my conscience is crystal clear

Good friends are far & few in between - like ice in the mid-day sun, few can withstand the test of time

I am who I am; answerable to my internal clock & needs

没有如果 只有结果和后果 - 因果

Who dares win - & you harvest what you sow

Victory is sweetest when you defeat your opponents in their own grounds, without shooting a single shot

Battles are won unannounced - the surprise elements make winnings less elusive

Whatever fits; I will lie low until my fortunes return ... soon

I shall laugh away my worries and disappointments until victory returns

The Incurable LUCKY Guy

lifelessness is emotionally draining...

Alone is not loneliness but feeling lonely is a drain on our mental well being

Empty is not void but hollowness in feeling makes one live on knife's edge - unable to lead a peaceful, balance & stable life

Humans are social animals; they need companions and belonging

Even the occasional meet up boosts the spirit

Whatever passes may return to haunt happily & momentarily

Memories are made of everything nice - fleeting though

Saplings - the sign of hopes and abundance

Strengths are found in new growths - procreation ensure continuity

Sustainability dictates that the globe must be less polluted; the water, the air, the environment...

Plants, the greens, offer food and abundant oxygen

Nature has her ways of replenishing the greens if humans are less disruptive or extinct

From dusts to dusts, nothing is infinite but recyclable

When a person passes 60years old, 30% of his muscles degenerate. You need to 'work out' more to maintain the muscle mass

As the eagle aged, it needs to break it's claws & beak to allow re-growth & re-strengthening; the hunter must ensure his tools are ever-ready

Do not allow the slightest setback to drown you

The forest may be grand but a match stick can burn down a forest

The grand, old oak tree may fall in a storm whereas the blade of grass will dance blissfully in the wind

Go with the flow; when tired, rest 休息是为了走更长的路

There is strength is adversity; setbacks are not definitive

Fortunes favor the brave

All hurts, disadvantages & pains dissipate over time & daybreak shalt come

Be prepared, be ready 冰冻三尺非一日之寒 ; someday soon, victory returns

When you're a winner, the world comes to you

Let everyone who walks out on you regret their moves & winning is the best revenge

It is loneliest at the TOP... be there, done that

Win - Be Prepared

motivate thyself to conquer the impossible...

You must have a dragon hidden inside of you. When you need, you let that dragon out - Anderson Silva - Whatever you seek to achieve, you must have the fire in your belly

The best fighter is never angry - Lao Tzu -

A quick temper will make a fool of you soon enough - Bruce Lee - Nobody can be logical if he is emotionally charged

Rewards for good service should not be deferred a single day - Sun Tzu - recognition for positive work must be reinforced in an instant

Take things as they are. Punch when you have to punch. Kick when you have to kick - Bruce Lee - go with the flow & act swiftly

Do not let circumstances control you. You change your circumstances - Jackie Chan - Adopt, if not adapt to overcome resistance. Iron is solid but rusts erode iron & weaken its matter

Endurance is one of the most difficult disciplines, but it is to the one who endures that the final victory comes - Gautama B - night turns into day as day turns into night & all shalt pass. When your path is right, victory is in sight

In the struggle between the stone and water, in time, the water wins - Japanese Proverb - Victory goes to the who dares, not necessarily the toughest, shrewdest nor bravest but the one with grit & stamina

How many things apparently impossible have nevertheless been performed by resolute men who had no alternative but death - Napoleon - When its a life or death challenge, many will make it alive; cowardice & doubts disappear

The natural cycles of 生老病死 life, aged, sick, death & 酸甜苦辣 sour, sweet, bitter, hot ...is unending

Just be the BEST and leave the rest

The world will never be equal and only the fittest survive; it doesn't mean you will be left alone as some will trudge into your peaceful & undisturbed turfs 

Attack is the best defense

Be honest & never cut edges - it's unsustainable; the devil will return to haunt you

How able & capable you are, determine longer term success

This pic is a young bringing food to it's aged parent; a rare occurrence - it demonstrates that the earlier you learn a skill, the better prepared you are 冰冻三尺非一日之寒

When betrayed or short-changed, never get mad; get even - like a good martial artist, defeat them in their own game

Nobody is infallible - everyone has a dog's day when their biorhythm is low

If you fight, fight to win; cosmetic punches are a waste of time. Do not make a fool of yourself

Keep all  relationship warm; real, fake or pretentious

Some day, it will feel the impactful truth

Be a the player who wins the game with smartness, not smugness 

You are alone in your quest for victory - nobody but you are responsible for the betterment of your life

There is no "absolute", everything is "relative" - win some, loss less - the world is yours to conquer

Keep Marching Til Success Comes

continue marching...

Whatever happens, life carries on

The globe continues to rotate & Man will live to enjoy or suffer the consequences

天 - Heaven is silent to all pleas but shall listen

地 - Land will provide for everything you seek; for the better or worse

人 - Man is the decider; you harvest what you sow

Man's survival is dependent on his actions. If you pollute the environment, if you over-fish, if you extract the grounds' useful resources, Earth may not gets enough time to recover from the ravages & destruction that ensue

The end of the world is not God's will but Man's folly 

Just as Covid destructive forces ease, war began; Russia attacked Ukraine & put her nuclear forces on alert

There is nothing much to worry in this man-made-madness

If the nuke-armed nations decide to decimate each other to show dominance & control, there are enough nuke-bombs to shred Earth into pieces & no inhabitants will live to witness the aftermath

Even if you are enjoying your dinner, taking a stroll in the park, sleeping soundly or whatever... chances are "in a major nuclear warfare outbreak", the fallout is enough to engulf far & wide & kill/maim you

The winds of change will bring destruction & calamity to you (your doorstep)

So, why worry? Worrying will not solve problems

Live your best, live simply & enjoy every breathe you take - tomorrow is never promised

Keep going & march ahead towards your dream & goals

What the mind thinks, you become

The world is convoluted, many (empowered) leaders are greedy, self-centred & selfish and sway to the lobbying by influencers

Commoners longed to live a normal, 'uneventful' but peaceful life, without undue stress

Leave whatever that are beyond you or your control alone - you are not expected to solve all 

Move ahead bravely, with grit & a clear mind

Some day soon, success will smile 

The winner is not necessarily the strongest, bravest, tallest ... but the one who is ready & prepared& who waited for the right time to strike

Most times, you cannot rush but "do your best & be there when victory arrives"

Dead Man tells no tales

When Life Is In Disarray

expect nothing, no disappointment...

Whatever seem to be normal, suddenly changed or stopped

What can be more disruptive than almost every changes strike in an instance

The friends that were reliable turned against you and/or reneged as if "it's a norm"; promises are cheap & honor is dead

The usual daily norms change too

I can accept changes but was taken by surprised that changes were sudden, immediate and impactful

I guess it is not about the changes but the impact that causes loose footings

Once adjusted, you regain control of the situation, not unlike regaining control of a nose-diving plane

There is no time for regrets

Nobody's gonna have sympathy for a/any loser... the deal is to 'kill', not to leave you with a chance to return

Desert frogs burrow underground during the dry months, in order to escape the searing sun. They can stay underground for many months while they wait for the next rains to fall

Survival  skills are necessary in the jungle & life and living is a jungle

Animals kill for food and survival but humans kill for 'fun', the fun of seeing one fell

How will/do you react when others purposely make your life miserable, with impactful disruptions? Stay calm, take the punches, burrow into safe heaven, assess the damage... never show any weaknesses or damages

When the chips are down, lie low

Nobody owes you a living; death is your closure, not theirs. The best revenge is "Steve Job-bing"

留得青山在 不怕没材烧 Steve Jobs + Steve Wozniak (year 1976) > Michael Scott > Mike Markkula > John Sculley > Michael Spindler > Gil Amelio > Steve Jobs (year 2000) 真能力 真金不怕火炼

Revenge? NO... The sweetest victory is to let the plotters fail in their own game

Life is never linear 

There will always be a section of acquaintances, not friends, who would like to see you down; watch who you share your problems with

The home breaker, the relationship disruptor, the business cheats; most betrayals are only possible because you trusted them as friends

When you are lowest in your life, the only way is up

Go, get a life after defeats...& return stealthily - strike when ready

Life can never be in disarray for too long; spend a little idle time to create a new winning formula

The idle mind is a devil's workshop - work on your devil's ideas and return as an avenging angel

Nobody can see you 'dead' if you refuse to die

Living Simply & Happily

whatever fits...

Emotional baggage are lengthy, sticky and need to wax off over time, be it pain, regrets, triumphs, sweet nothings

I remembered the movie where the young lady ran away from home & lived with an elderly man she met while sleeping rough as his wife had left him earlier and ended having two sleep-in boyfriends. The young lady found a equal age guy to settle down as he couldn't 'satisfy' her after some years while the elderly happily settled with a gay partner; his hidden emotional wants

Everyone found happiness towards the end

You don't really know what you desire until your mind is settled

Happiness is relative

You can't give anyone happiness if he decides that his life is one of unfairness & misery - he sees the thorns more than he was ever able to enjoy the sweet smell the roses

Nature commands that we will go through 生老病死 & must 'enjoy' 酸甜苦辣; if everyday is sunshine, chances are you are in a desert

The difference is your emotions; the degree of fluidity & stability determines your level of happiness or misery

Some people get tired off easily or they are like "fish on a hook" and can see only one perspective

Night turns into day, misfortune turn lucky, sadness turn harmony... the cyclicals

Nothing is finite & time is one

Have faith with GOD & treat yourself well; nobody cares if you are in harmony with the universe

Life is like soccer; the goal keeper can keep out a thousand balls but if he allowed a score, he is judged

All the good you've done is expected of you but any wrongs, if discovered, carry penalties

That's the real equality; the world will never be equal - the earlier you accept it, the happier you will be

What is GOD? GOD is about love; nobody has seen GOD but many have felt the need to love, forgive & embrace harmony and peaceful coexistence

We are all made unique & have specific roles to play in our lives 做好本分

Let there be happiness & harmony all around

If you think Heaven is wonderful, why are you still here? Why not live heavenly on Earth instead? It's now or never...there may not be a/any heaven

Care & share, have compassion & help the less able & less fortunate

The less expectations you have, the less disappointments you'll get

Go with the flow & life's gonna be a breeze

The aborigines, red indians and dayaks were happy, and will still live happily, in their forested & green areas, away & undisturbed by urbanisation 

Whoever say materialism is supreme? You live once...so live well

Don't worry, be happy

Whatever fits ... go with it

Be Easy On Yourself

accept reality & let go ...

How long can you hold on to a hope-less situation hoping that it will turn around? For as long as you can take the pain of waiting aimlessly

There is a price for everything: hold, let go, walk away

Giving time and opportunities for it to harness and manifest positively require grit & faith

What are the losses of giving up? You loss some & the other party loss some but the jury is still out in the open; there is no real winner nor loser

长痛不如短痛好  笑看天下事

Pains ease over time as memories fade

Everyone has their own priority & priority changes as needs change; nobody is any smarter

Man proposes but GOD disposes

Whatever tomorrow brings, no one knows

Well known singing idol, Feng FeiFei凤飞飞, planned a major "thank you" concert for her fans but fate didn't allow it. In the midst of her preparations, she was diagnosed with cancer & didn't make it.

Steve Jobs, with all his fame and wealth, couldn't win against a ravaging cancer  

Vanity and envy is the cancer of the character - values are destroyed by personal indiscretions 

Whatever you give to help another must never be weighed against any plausible returns - many will move on whereas you are stuck in the unrequited illusionary returns

Material sacrifices can be made back but emotional investments need to burn itself up - there is no recourse for emotions

With the last two years of turbulence, it pays to give up & go with the flows

Bite the bullet & moves on

Rich or poor, family comes first; the rest can wait

Live healthily and happily - tomorrow is not promised 

If you had been betrayed, your emotions were ripped off & you are left to hang on a line, walk away...

All pains will ease over time & Karma serves the same menu 

Nobody can rob you of your happiness

Some day, when you look back...letting go was indeed the best decision that you've made

没有如果 只有结果和因果

No expectation, no disappointments - Be easy on yourself

Punch Hard To Win - Start Now

shortest may not be the worst...

February is the shortest month in the year but everyday still holds 24hours

Whatever changes but time doesn't change; everything changes over/with time

Man and material beings are finite and shalt decay over time

Emotions change when priority & attraction changes

We can't beat the clock for most times as the Laws of Nature rule; the newly born butterfly needs to wait out for it's wings to dry before it's first flight

Flowers need to shed before becoming fruits & the tides are pulled by the moon's gravitational forces

People come & go and life is a revolving door with most staying only long enough to cast an impact

Whether they are good, bad or ugly, all departures hurt - you'd miss the good ones, the bad leaves 'destruction' while the ugly leave behind bad tastes

Time shalt heals

Leave the formative years (up to 15yo) to explore and experiment

By 30yo, you'd have fairly clear ideas of your future, your goals and your intents

40yo is the last spurt of energy for monumental changes

By 50yo, it's time to go with the flows - follow your heart

It's a little hard to rearrange your life and goals by 60s; not impossible though. But, with brittle bones and stoic grit greasing the changes, you may achieve after much efforts

70yo is a time to reflect, relax and tell some stories

Don't harbor too much regrets as you have spent your time paving your paths. What you think, you become

An action will cause a reaction, not unlike "what you eat, you become" - the greatness of the Universe is 'light attracts light'

February is the freshest of Spring

Man is driven by emotions - the desire to achieve

Use your energy, capabilities and grit wisely; there is little to no room for regrets

In our life's journey, you win some... you loss some; just win more to eliminate the pains of losses

知足常乐 Be contented but ready to fight for your dreams; winning or losing is part of the game

Within you means, most things are achievable

If you can't take the heat, leave the kitchen

We are all built differently & have distinct roles to play and the earlier that you realize and accept "the world will never be equal", the happier you'll be 

Fight for what's yours and leave the scene without being excessive but contentment

Tomorrow will never come; make the best use of today

Start now: to let go, to fight on, to give your best shot, to challenge fate... whatever! Just be the BEST

Life is like a boxing match. If you don't punch hard to knock out your opponent, he will. 

DO NOT fight for fun

Everybody loves a winner

Giving Up Is A Virtue

giving up is a virtue...

I hardly give up, almost never

But, I have learnt to give up on headless chases, unrequited efforts to bridge relationships(EQ), fake   leads, empty promises and hollow opportunities

I am not a fool & I am willing to loss some resources & spend efforts to build possibilities

I can sell ice creams to the eskimos

The many who think that I could be taken for a ride weren't wrong as I am ready to bet on unknown leads & false starts

But, I am seldom wrong & once I grip the lead, I fight on; the price is considered 'small beers'

Who can cheat or scheme against you? Friends. Only friends...

Nothing hurts more than being betrayed by your friends but...BUT... isn't that called "entrapment"? You fell into the very trap of your own emotions - Trust

When you are devoid of emotions, nothing can entrap you; not even your closest relations 六亲不认

Many have taken my kindness as weakness; some days soon they will pay

Not because I will seek revenge, for which I never endeavor, but to watch them fall into the very traps they set for others - Karma is a bitch

I have learnt to say "NO" - better late than never

Strangely, of late, I have been meeting defeats, one after another; from failed promises to endless chasers to over providing for others whom I either felt needed my guidance & assistance or had seek my help

They simply disappear & vanish into thin air - the hurts remain but all shalt heal 黎明之前是最黑暗

There is a price for everything - trust is priceless & betrayals know no boundaries

Whatever happens, if you don't cut loss, it gets more painful than hopeful

From zero to zero, it's still zero - never cry over spilled milk

From the ashes, comes the phoenix; NY World Trade Centre was demolished in 9/11 in a terrorists attack but after 20 years and $4bil, it's a new landmark

Nobody can abuse you, your trust & sell your Soul if you do not allow

Giving up on people/others is an Art - if you are willing to cut the strings to your kite, both will be free

“When things go wrong, don't go with them.”  - Elvis Presley

It was NY2022. It's gonna be ChineseNY in two days time. Drop everything behind that hurts & begin with a hopeful Year of the Tiger [Tigers may be ferocious but they can be tamed and domesticated] - be in charge of your Life & write your own destiny

Maybe, it is time to give up the headless chase

When your heart grows cold, it's time to move on - enjoy the relief

Make the difference...now