A Happy Ending

there will always be a happy ending ...

Whether you are happy or sad, every situation somehow will end & a new episode starts

The poor cooperate, specialize and multiply ~ Law of Comparative Advantage and Law of Competitive Advantage ~ more are produced at low costs

The able plot & lead, the mid-class manage & organize and the poor use brute force to produce; the synergistic multiplier manifest growth 

The quality and standard of living rise as, with progress, there are more to go around and share

Over time, cooperation gives way to rivalry ~ the desire to lead and be ahead of the crowd brew envy

Tyrants, dictators and fascists rise to dominate society

Greed, power struggle and disquietness contaminate Society whereupon the commoners become pawns in the game - equality is a sham

Dragonflies breed in clean environment & water and feast on mosquitoes 
    

Life is a journey, not a destination - the universal destination is death

Everyone is unique and their role play is definitive - no two person are the same

Stay happy, keep fit and healthy and enjoy every moments

Words and actions attract & react ~  positivity attracts positive responses  

Good or bad, day or night, fight or flight ... all shalt pass 

Illnesses are seldom afflict physically but caused by constant worries & anxieties, that is, mentally inflicted

A happy mind wards away curses, negativity and ill-health

It's November 2025; worries about the overvaluation, exuberation and overextended rise of WallStreet didn't seem to, or will, correct & drop. Why so? When the mass is cautious and warnings are aplenty, the expectations seldom happen   

Come whatever may, so long as you are prepared, nothing gonna hurts 

Gold rose dramatically towards >$4,400 & small investors jumped in only to be 'burnt' by the 5% sudden drop ~ when the crowd rush in, avoid

When caution is thrown to the winds, the unexpected materialize

When you plan ahead and you change course due to changed circumstances, it is less disruptive and with minimal pain, if any 

When you are caught unprepared or your storyline collapse on you, the consequences could be disastrous

Fear not; if you awake the next day, life goes on. If you pass on, you had lived a full life

You get a chance to do better in the former whereas you will be remembered for a while & all shalt be forgotten in the latter 

There will  always be a HAPPY ending

 

 

Loneliness - Alcohol & You

lone, alone & loneliness ...

We are born & arrive alone, naked & crying with joy 

The world merrily welcome us ~ today's "you" are the 8th billion + persons

With every newborn, like a clean sheet of paper, the minute life begins, your essay begins too - pages turned chapters turned books turned volumes

Some write short stories, other stories are good enough to stretch 5-6 decades and few make volumes ~ more importantly many end abruptly 

When your time is up, there wouldn't be a choice to remain nor extendable

What is aspirations, success or happiness to each and everyone's journey? Harvard Uni has an ongoing survey which begun almost >60 years ago, tracking "what's happiness to you ~ opinions like good career, good jobs, huge earnings, being rich, fame, power... etc!" There were constant updates biannually. Now, their spouses were invited to opine too.

The Professor, about >70yo, reflected and shared: Some died early, some suffered mental breakdown & other medical challenges , there were successful careers and some made it to the fame league and there are a few divorces! Those who found HAPPINESS are those who have and enjoy family warmth and belongings. Singles enjoy life too when they find belonging to their preferred community. HEALTH was a topic few mentioned when they were young but it is a definitive 'must have' as age catches up       

Married couples are happy but 'bickering couples' remain together because of companionship,  not , exactly very happy but 'good to be with & around'; the poetic 'used to it!' and still remain married... 

Notably, when one of the spouse pass on, the 'quality of  happiness' drops and without adjustments and adaptations, loneliness can be 'fatal'

Alcohol soothes 小酒可行万里路  酒逢知己千杯少

Excessive alcohol is disrupts life 借酒消愁 愁更愁

With controlled consumption, alcohol brews poetic moments and classics, eases tensions and stress and make conversions livelier 

In moderation, the potency of alcohol greases relationship and eases solutions  

When alone, alcohol epitomizes dreams and possibilities  

Never drink yourself to the ground and the more you drink, the more truths you speak 酒后吐真言

Even when you are muted, your alcoholic-charged behavior reflect your true self; be mindful

Alone, loneliness and lone is a Natural part of our life journey   

 In life, remain purposeful; there is no need to share too much about yourself 

The world loves a Winner ~ remain sober, content to count your blessings when you're down but never quit 

The sweetest victory is when you return victorious after the world has forgotten about, & given up of,  you 

Being alone is NOT loneliness

  

 

 

Karma - The Equilibrium

walk ahead with confidence ...

Every darkness is lit again & again by GOD's magnanimity; HE has you forever, anytime & every time

Your biorhythm gyrates up & down, stable at most times but never let it affect your emotional equilibrium

When you are happy, don't make promises

When you are down & out, upset & sad, do not utter damaging words

Always stay calm and calculated ~ be as cool as a cucumber

Talking to yourself is a colloquial; a picturesque representation;
when the mind wonders, let it wonder

Sometimes, you have a/this song, music or lyrics circulating in your mind & you cannot just 'turn off' or eliminate it ~ that's normal

It is the same every time you think that you must buy lottery, you will succeed, you will meet your savior ... but when reality returns, these are nothing more than red herrings that swim in your mind  

So, instead of reacting or responding, let your mind wallow patiently & idly ~ let the feeling pass  

The best is to reside in the comfort of GOD's arms; leave all worries to HIM ~ in GOD I trust    

Indifference is invincible 厚脸皮是无敌

When you are indifference to whatever surrounds you, you will achieve the peace of mind. Similarly, indifference breeds tyrants  

The success of Singapore was built around grit, brutal hard work and foresight 

Whatever harvested were shared, not necessarily equally but adequately spread and class divide narrowed 

Harsh measures were taken against those deemed 'disruptors'

The Nation was lead by Lions 

The people were prepared to give their best shots 埋头苦干 Trust was the driving force

Singapore grew on the foundation of TRUSTs

The educated technocrats lead, managers were trained to manage, workers were adequately cared for & remunerated, knowledge were transferred and the people were empowered. Singaporeans determined our own FATE  

There was little need to think as Trusts were the underlying driver

However & whatever happen, walk ahead with confidence; tomorrow is never promised

明天起来就（又）活一天 明天不起来就活一世

The world is getting more selfish, self-entitled, greed precede compassion, elites guard their turf jealously & betray the trusts entrusted to them to lead the flocks to higher grounds ... conflicts precede cooperation and collaboration

Don't worry; karma will be the equilibrium ~ go forth and conquer new frontiers, be cheerful and stay healthy 

  

 

 

 

 

My Private Reflections

neutralize disruption in life and gain peace & happiness...

Learn from the crises in your life & move on; 

** when I most wanted to go to Uni but couldn't because my results weren't stirling and my family was not able to afford [the costs of education]. The worst was when an 'almost certain' promised loan to allow me to kickstart my education never materialized

I compacted time and went on to do part time studies, starting with Lambaga/Adult Education Board(AEB) [study, work, settle down, pursue more ... & built a successful career]. Today, like everyone else, I am adequately educated; not a scholar though   

** I started as a rookie in the financial industry and rose to executive position within 5 years. Without paper qualifications, the start was rough & mostly unrecognized but I didn't let this handicapped me. I got a relevant diploma & my professional license within 2years & acquired other papers along the way

** At the peak of my career, despite keeping a very low profile, I was 'framed & shot'; I paid dearly and fell deep into despair. I lay low, did some reflection, licked my wounds, cut losses and moved away from Singapore [I was headhunted & left for another job in Hong Kong which paid me a fraction of my remuneration then]. My immediate task was to stay alive and HEALTHY and to rebuild myself 有命（健康）才有将来（明天）It took me three long years to rediscover 'glory' whilst fighting those who threw me under the bus ~ I don't fight for fun! I fight to win & every uphill battles turned victory; I don't pick quarrels but I ace at redemption. I kept my head straight & high, never allowing myself to wallow in self-pity. Nobody can see my sufferings as I was the "Incurable Positive"!  苦中作乐 overrides

** Just when the material aspects of life lightened and brightened, I was 'hit by a series of serious & unexpected illnesses'! Holy Cow!! I seek professionals advice and treatment ~ magically, I recovered completely within one year. The Power and FAITH in GOD ruled and overrode; The medical treatments were minimal

Live like water; go with the flow. No rocks nor obstacles can obstruct and stop the flow towards the ocean

Every day everyone face some challenges; the hospice patients endeavor to wake up painlessly, breathe again and enjoy the sunrise, the poor seek dignity and hope for the next meal, the patients in A&E inevitably feel that their predicaments are the most urgent & must be accorded immediate attention, while the billionaires seek to make his next dollar ...  

Don't worry, Be happy 

Live best when others live worst for tomorrow's never promised 

I have my fair share of worries, expectations, defeats & misses &, as much as, I have a liberty to make choices, GOD is the final arbiter  

Give optimal attention to your immediate family ~ the happiness & mutual sharing and care drive harmony. Nobody should live like a stranger in their family 

珍惜家 活在当下 无可无不可

My private moments: GOD bless ALL

 

 

 

October - Reflection Is Invaluable

perfect time keeps slipping away ...

Don't wait for the perfect time to do what you want to do; wait for this, wait for that

Pressures of life is nothing, just keep going and accept and adapt to changes. Do not isolate from the entire ecosystem and carry the world's burden on your shoulder. Just keep improving, continue doing, a little at a time 

Remember to break from burden, give up and give in to insurmountable obstacles. Walk away from impossibles 断舍离 Dont waste time on unproductive issues and contacts 

Built your own network - those that are helpful and useful to you. Say no to parasitic friends 

Change is the only constant - Don't seek instant gratification. 

Develop whatever motivate and encourage you & you don't need to seek others approval or recognition 觉醒

You are as good as when you are useful [of use]. Rubbish has no value unless recyclable 

Ukraine is as useful to US and Europe as it is the window [opening] to Russia. Russian entanglement make it less able to interfere in other strategic points of interests to US.

US intervention against Vietnam as it rolled southwards into Laos & Cambodia ... Thailand; the then military philosophy was that the whole SEAsia will fall, aka the Domino Theory, and a dominant Vietnam will rise. After US withdrawal, PRChina took on the emboldened Vietnam; a short war that forced Vietnam to release it's grip on Cambodia and Laos  

In August 1967, ASEAN was founded by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Singapore; an economic bloc that grew to 11 members today

Usefulness to one another results in interdependency where the sum of 1+1 = >2  

With internet, eMedia and AI, information is compacted and there will be info-overload

Truths, lies, half-truths, misinformation and the lack of it are doctored and disseminated to influence outcomes     

Follow your heart and do the needful; after years of troubleshooting and overcoming challenges, you begin to bask in 'retirement'. A prolonged quiescent may rekindle the want to explore new frontiers

A new cycle of challenges, frustrations, defeats and discovery repeats; rewards are rare and sparse 

Do you really want to 'struggle' until death is near? No, not. But, many want to live a 'useful' life; whatever that means

HEALTH is the overriding denominator     

Hahaha! I have tried to change "my success formulae" completely in the last few years! Not only did I face monumental challenges, defeats were norms and 'stonewalls' aplenty. I dig deep into my positive ion-power & fought against all odds... I was almost a 'spent force' by the time I 'accepted' defeat, not to surrender but to accept that "I am here [on Earth] for a specific role". I can deviate but I do not have the license to change completely as I'm unique for the anointed role  命运与命水  听从天命 

An idle mind is the devil's workshop

When you walk through the garden, enjoy the smell & colors of flowers, watch the butterflies & dragonflies lapping in the breeze and blend into Nature's ecosystem

Enjoy the changing seasons  

Man lives for about 30,000 days and most are forgotten after 3 generations, that is about 100 years

A page from the past have many asking "why is WallStreet still rising despite all the negatives?" It's gravity defying

Market favors the brave but, the fool and his money will soon part

When many are cautious, the bears are distant and any pronouncements of market collapse become a mirage

There is NO perfect timing but all shalt come to fruition in due course  

Money Don't Buy Everything

keep your composure & smile irrespective of personal attacks...

I detest character assassination & will not tolerate; a planned response will be served in due course

I am in retreat and is trying to 'restart' my life; not from the beginning but from where it last 'stopped'

It seems naive to want a quiet, reclusive start ~ a Master once told me "when you get onto the highway, there is no turning back! It can only spin bigger & wider. Rest if you must but never quit. Go forth & prosper"

Someone reminded me that when you are at your lowest, the worst is [already] happening, you are almost at the turning point

Stay on course positively, cheer up as there are better days ahead 黎明之前是最黑暗的

Defeats are not permanent

When you shine again, the world will come to you 

Winner is like a lit candle, it brighten up darkness   

Somehow, the good GOD knows your paths forward & I suppose that is HIS preferred choice ~ Man proposes & GOD disposes

I had a premonition that the 7th七月Moon is not a suitable time [for me] to travel. Hahaha! I had a chest pain that require angioplasty [95% blockage] & a stent [implant]

Like an old car, however well maintained, you would never know which parts is failing and needs overhaul & replacement   

When you are failing, don't be everything to everyone; dive deep into your strengths and evolve 

When you start with nothing & ends with nothing, you loss nothing but you gain experiences

Stresses, anxieties and 'feeling down & distraught' are passing symptoms  

Get over it slowly but surely, not unlike the 'dead-looking' pupa that turns into the colorful, beautiful butterfly 

Be the light onto others, especially yourself 亮光大地 活好自己  

Progress is not about speed but continuity & moving in the right direction

Nothing beats the Man who quits & surrenders; so long as you don't give in easily, the better tomorrow shalt come  

When the going is tough for everyone, that's fine.  

Live well when others live worse 

 A happy, cheerful & positive mind overcome every & any challenges

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

If Tomorrow Comes, Make Your Day Counts

Let there be equality, not quite possible though...

I naturally strives to help others even at my own disadvantage; silly, stupid, heroic or plain foolish 

My difficult young(er) days where I received help abundantly, not because I displayed pitifulness but I remained positively motivated, willing and enthusiastic 

Nothing is too simple nor difficult, stressful and unrewarding ~ I made myself useful to everyone 没有永远的朋友或敌人。只有永远的利益

When the mind is pure & unadulterated, genuineness shines; bereft of motives      

Trusts build over the years are worthy of  being guarded jealously

Trust will earn you droplets of water in drought and grains of rice in famine 

I taught myself 'education'. Then, I was too poor to continue after GCE "O" level ... henceforth, I worked during the day and studied at night at Lambaga/AEB for my "A" level. Most importantly, i read widely & on varied topics. I was 'educated' but not 'certified' in many skills and the cumulative knowledge bounced back to empower me in my career & business development

Getting a degree & being certified in various faculties of my interests was a walk in the park

I considered myself as being adequately educated 社会大学与公认大学; not a scholar nor high flier 

In my >40 years of workings and businesses, I have my fair share of defeats and victories, was cheated & owed money yet with GOD's blessings, I recovered and move on

I have learnt [& is still learning] to ignore innuendoes, gossips, 'talkdowns', unnecessarily challenges and baseless accusations ~  I avoid quarrels, antagonistic arguments, limelight and negative barbs. Walking away from negativity is my newfound ideal    

I wish I can give up pursuing material rewards and retreat into the woods to enjoy Nature and meditate ~ meditation aren't about emptiness but to blend into Nature & the natural surroundings

Anything is possible

Time is the best friend

My time to walk away is destiny, that is, when I finished my designated roles on HumanLand, I will set myself free to realize my bucket lists

There is equality in life if you ignore and avoid comparison  

Whatever you want, go pursue them ~ pay the price and get it

Laziness is not the answer 

I have done everything possible and achieved most within my abilities ... the next lap, maybe to 发呆，走马看花，not to search for perfection but to let 'loose' myself 

Searching for meaningful things to do and not doing anything are toughest; the fire in me is forever blazing hot and bright 

If tomorrow comes, make your day counts 

 

 

This Time It's Different - Wealth Preservation

strip off emotions & everything is the same...

This time it's different. Sure, every time "it is different", not just this time

Humans are creatures of habit, familiarity and comfort

Do not make promises when are happy nor 'spout offensive phrases' when you are angry & outrage

In euphoria, like any runaways, no one wishes to be distracted at the party nor be forceably removed 

Randomness is a norm in the market although trending allow for easier buy/sell trades

In a rising trend, even fools make money. Traders loss big when correction is abrupt & fell cliff-like especially those who are geared 

Win big, loss big

Passive investments gain most over the long term

Major bank-based money managers and fund managers are able to show you their higher returns over the long run. Why? During the (sudden) down swing, those (highly) geared investors' positions are forced-sold if they are not able to place extra funds to buttress their lost values while new depositors/investors are enticed to put fresh funds to invest during the dips

A fool is born everyday

Each failure brings you nearer to success is no different from the wealthy Lord telling the poor "do not worry too much, you will make it some day" ~ hollow, but motivational, words 

Realities are cruel yet brutal 

In the moneyed world, if you are wiped out, you are out; plausibly bankrupted too 

If you cannot achieve your KPIs, your company cannot retain and continue paying you (forever) 

When the company is in the red, cost cutting meant that the rank & file plus a few managers will be retrenched, not the top management

Some words are pleasing but sweet nothings 

Let no one talks you into oblivion; fairy tales and make believes are lovely 

 Success breeds further successes  

StockMarket ~ A page in reflection

WallStreet and European markets indices are defying 'logic' & are challenging new highs with oft heard "this time it's different!" - aberration, newfound confidence or herd instincts? Gravity and fair valuation will return when euphoria ends 

Tulip mania (1630-37), The Great Depression (1929-36) & Dot.Com (2000-02) ~ When you reach the peak, the next choice is down

In the meantime, China, in particular, Hong Kong (HSI) stockmarkets are showing signs of recovery with relatively cheaper valuation compared to the West. HSI has recovered from near lows [four bear years] of 16,000pts in 2023 & 2024 to recent high of near 26,000pts. There are clear signs of divergence in HSI's  [rising] RSI & MACD [turning down]

Will this time be any different? Your guess is as good as mine

Preservation of capital is the key in investment when market's near high 

Taking profits, preserving capital and 'wait to fight another day' serve well when uncertainties reign 

Perhaps, it is time to redirect attention to commodities such as gold, silver and oil - it ain't over until the fat girl sings

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Financial Humours

 

A Learned Master shared with me:  

Bank is the smartest ~ you keep money with it, it lends out 80%, makes some & give you some. But, if it fails, you loss everything & the Bank restart as a new Bank 

Insurance Co is the biggest scam - everyone pays into a pool & share the risks, with a promise that you will be covered & reimbursed in case of an event happening, eg, sickness. But, if the eventuality happened & there aren't enough to pay, it conveniently folds up

Brokerages [commodity & stocks] provide a safe platform to buyers and sellers for a fee, say 1%. Has it occurred to you that if the transactions continue for 50times, at 1% charge @each transaction, your $1 is zeroised 

[The market capitalization of the U.S. stock market is approximately $62.8 trillion as of July 1, 2025, representing the total value of all publicly traded companies in the United States. If a crisis of sorts happens & the market drops 30%, where did the $18.84 trillions go to? ~ transferred, erased, or...]

Stock markets [indices] are not a mathematical problem where 1+1=2. It is the aggregate of emotional responses to events and happenings

When ideas or opinions are propounded, they are not the 'sure to happen thing' but collections of "IFs" & "BUTs" events; any occurrences will lead to a 'presumably expected conclusion', not lateral though 

No two fairly similar events may lead to a fairly similar outcomes; 9/11, the Oklahoma City bombing 1995, the 1997/8 Asian Financial Crisis, the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, SARs, COVID ... but the magnitude and impact differ vastly

Will the next crisis, if any, be any different? Every financial crisis is about MONEY & it is about the losers vs the winners ~ the transfer of monies & elimination of digits [in everyone's accounts]; nominally your real purchasing power  

I have expressed reservations that WallStreet, with AI-tech, will offer uninterrupted power to drive prices higher but met with "this time it's different" ~ this reminded me that "all bettors at the race course know which horses will win & bet big but after the races, they knew why that anointed horse did not win!" ...

Market is filled with humorous players who are smart & logical but parts with their monies like any fools will  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September - Stay Safe

data seldom lie but are easily manipulated...

In 2000, at DotCom peak, WallStreet P/E was 44x; it corrected 78% to it's low before market stabilized and recovered  

In 2007/8, P/E was near 30x and market corrected 59%

Back in 1929 to 1932, market corrected 89% ... today's WallStreet P/E is >37x ... [???]   

Every time at or near peaks, investors said "this time is different...!" Will this time be any different? Can you stomach this; the total market capitalization of the top two U.S. companies is higher than the total market cap of Japan as of 2025. [Japan's total market capitalization was over $6.3 trillion, while the combined market capitalization of the two largest U.S. companies (*NVIDIA and Microsoft) exceed $6.7 trillion

*Nvidia - the 4trillion company ~ after 5-Qtrs of triple-digit expansion in 2023/4, revenue dipped 69% in 1Q/2025 

Like Warren Buffet, who had divested and kept cash of $344bil, Li Ka-Shing had divested lots of their investments and converted into cash(??) ~ are there common grounds or lots of underlying commonsense. [Berkshire Hathaway has significantly increased it's stakes in Japan's five largest trading houses: Mitsui & Co, Mitsubishi Corp, Sumitomo Corp, Itochu, and Marubeni ~ guess, this is food security

I am not an alarmist but trying to learn from history 'the causes of money movements' & which are the preferred asset classes to invest or avoid especially when previous tops are challenged

In uncertainty, stay calm, slow down, observe and analyse - when the mind wonders, let it wonder. Move only your forward path clears

Money matters & no money never matter

Let go & force nothing; you can add any material well-being but you cannot add time to your life

Life is always shifting and do not 'gamble' away your health and wealth 

Let your life carry you forward  

I am being cautious in this uncertain time and has minimized exposures to the capital market, not out of fear but preservation of the little that I have ~ my 'living capital' as some will call it "working capital"

Cultivate an investment mind, no speculative thoughts

There is time for everything; be prepared & ready 

Stay safe: enjoy peace and a less quarrelsome world 

September is here - what have you achieved? Whatever you have done, a wrong decision will [or may] lock you in for a long time   

 

 

 

 

Live Happily & Healthily

no expectations, no disappointments ...

Perfection is the surest way to frustration

Perfection is like ideal; it keeps changing ~ the artist knows best

Knowledge is like a flow... it keeps changing as new things emerge and are discovered

Letting go eases the heart and relieves the mind

Happiness glows from within when the heart lightens - do not let little doubts bottled up 'into a storm' 

Air 气 has weight & takes up space:  生气 ~ 赌气 Anger & frustration occupy the mind and make you uncomfortable & less stable

When water flows is blocked, it shifts ~ from rivers to tributaries ~ water flows will never stagnate 

Free your mind and let it wonders

When in doubts or troubled, take a break ~ take a walk in the woods 木 or climb a mountain 山

The Chinese characters are pictorially representative - Add human 人 to wood 木 , you get rest 休. Add human 人 to mountain 山， you get fairy 仙 [happiness]  

Lotus grow well in muddy waters, bathe with abundant sunlight and dance in the breeze ~ Nature has a way to create picturesque miracles

As our mind relaxes, it releases endorphins and enhanced cognitive functions 

A balanced mind, body and Soul manifests

Walk away when the heat gathers; fire burns and maims - when you can't take the heat, walk out of the kitchen

Enjoy the beauty of life 

Slow down and smell the fragrance of flowers, listen to the birds tweeting and singing, bathe in the cool breeze soothing the mind & enjoy 'next to nothingness' and peace  
 

Money don't buy health

We work to live and not live to work [slaves]

Make enough [money], make more while you can and hoard sufficiently such that you have a choice to 'not' work    

When you find meanings to/in life, money is often not definitive but some intangible ideals

Giving [away] is a blessing 施舍 ~ 有舍就有得