2025 ~ Be Prepared, Be Nimble In The World Of Uncertainty

changes are windows to opportunities...

President-wannabe Trump has boosted confidence in USA and made many 'impossibles' possible. His winning of the presidential seat was an impossible made possible

WallStreet ride the rise and so did BitCoin and the US$

Lately, Europe's leaders are falling like bowling pins; Canada prime minister resigned, German Justice minister resigned and so did, Giorgia Meloni resigned as president of ECR,  France prime minister Barnier resigned ~ renewal of leadership allow the purging of deadwood ideas and create opportunities for new blood. Truth to told "Canada's Trudeau resignation brought about loud cheers"

BRICS brought in new members, the latest being Indonesia whilst Singapore & Malaysia/Johor set up a Special Economic Zone

January 20th, Trump will be sworn in as 47th President of USA, with loads of uncertainties; he wants to 'take over' Canada, Greenland and gain control of the Panama Canal, exacts tariffs from almost every one/country, 'thumb down' China, stop the Ukraine war and 'forced' the release of hostages held by Hamas ...the list is endless

The only constant is change and changes bring opportunities 机会与 危机

2025 is a year of opportunities albeit uncertain

It is not easy to change the macro-environment but the micro-environment can be tweaked小船怕风浪 大船转弯难

Expect major gyrations in the stock and commodity markets; either way there is money to be made ~ you can short the market in a downfall or buy in the upswing

Luck is where preparation meets opportunity ; you need not be gutsy but you must be prepared

It is best that all the uncertainties happen early in the American presidency just as Europe undergo changes with their heads of states. WHY? If the storm must come, let it come with ferocity; when the dusts settled, reconstruction begins 

There is marked differences between USA and China and European Union[EU] and Association of South East Asian Nations [ASEAN]

Both US & EU are developed nations whereas China & ASEAN are still developing countries. If you have climbed to the peak[top of the mountain], it is time to 'walk down' 

There are about 5bil people in Asia in a world of slightly more than 8bil; demand for basic to mid-high(er) end goods and services have lots of room to grow

The next 20-50 years is the Asian Renaissance 

The US, together with her Allies, will try to disrupt the Asian Renaissance and to cement their dominance. Their economic embargo and trade restrictions had dented Asia's progress. Asia, including Russia, will seek alternative trade partners away from the hostile West. By the way, EU is cracking up and many has refused to live under the shadows of USA

Further supporting a demanding US, the West/EU is cutting their nose to spike their face; global trades will slow and become polarized and fast becoming 'vassal states' of US

Any philosophy, be capitalism, communism, socialism, is bad at it's extreme. The world is suffering because the rich control and hoard many resources, leaving the poor to struggle. The world will be a better place if the rich release more resources to be shared with the masses, creating opportunities and harmony via sharing

If Man refused to share, GOD will level down and redistribute the resources ... 2025 is the leveling down era and a sea of opportunities will surface  

Brave the difficult and uncertain near-term & be there when the good times return

[If your had missed the opportunities in the years past ~ 1986/87, 1997/98, 2003/4 2008/9, 2020/21, fortunes is smiling at you again in 2025/26... after the 'destruction/downtrend' comes 'reconstruction/uptrend]  

2025 Stock/Capital Market ~ The Imperfection Of Perfection

infinity is indeed finite...

Stockmarkets

The 2024 euphoria of WallStreet, capping high & higher indices [DJIA, NASDAQ, S&P500] is not unlike the Last Waltz ... but few are leaving the dance hall

Since the 80s, I deep dived into the capital & commodities markets  and the experiences are not something that any books can fully describe. It takes more than fundamental & technical analysis [including time-cycles, ElliotWave, Fibonacci numbers, wave patterns, lunar and solar eclipses & others]; you need lots of commonsense and an appreciation of psychology   

As there are too many "X-factors" that influence stockmarkets, i will narrow down to describing the Lunar & Solar eclipses. The degree of impact of eclipses vary whether it's partial eclipse, penumbral eclipse, annular eclipse or total eclipse.

Lunar eclipse causes pull back in stockmarket whereas Solar eclipse is positive and the stockmarket rides the upswing [there was a Total Solar Eclipse in April 2024 and most stockmarkets enjoyed an uptick, even the weaker ones also rebounded before tapering off].    

Another sample, in Feb 2008, stockmarkets fell following a Total Lunar Eclipse and recovered by August 2008 with advent of the Total Solar Eclipse

Around Mar 1997, the Total Solar Eclipse lent confidence to stockmarkets such that by the onset of Total Lunar Eclipse in Sep 1997, the Asia Financial Crisis was in full blown. With the Total Solar Eclipse casting in Feb, 1998, sanity and recovery returned 

January and July of 2000 saw two Total Lunar Eclipses; perhaps, you may want to test this quiz! Going forward

2025 - Partial Solar Eclipse :

29th March, 2025

21th September, 2025

2025 Total Lunar Eclipse :

14th March, 2025

7th September, 2025  

Will 2025 be any different? Your guess is as good as mine

Some may equate eclipses to superstitions but somehow the phenomenon influences mass psychology. Of course, everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and opinions. YES! Take above with a pinch/pound of salt and as some story telling and kinda folklore. It is NOT an investment advice

The power of positive influences

The (im)possible 'landslide' win by Trump for the next US presidency defy all negatives; paid companionship, felony, accusations, aged & olde, impending 'cases'... were followed with sharp gains in cryptos and the capital markets

Israel went on to defeat the Hamas mercilessly, attacked the neighboring countries, including 'taking down' Syria against human order and committing genocide with impunity

Ukraine, with US/NATO backing and blessings, is fighting Russia. The unthinkable was when the West allowed western arms and machinery to be used against Russia; with her nukes stockpile, Russia will not sit by idly in defeat. It shalt be MAD ~ Mutual Assured Destruction

Globalization 1.0 was when countries enter into direct economic exchange and cooperation whilst globalization 2.0 was when economic blocs deal favorably with one another. Globalization 3.0 is when China's initiative, One Belt, One Road [OBOR], begun. The world's trade are well served and delivered in speed and precision and minimal disruption

Asia anomaly 

In the meantime, fairly peaceful Asia is frequently provoked into action against one another by the mightier US & her allies. It will be US's dream come true if wars break out in Asia and a sea of red explode in suddenness

MiddleEast, Europe and Asia are the playgrounds of the US; the more uncertainties and bitter infighting, the better but nobody gain in wars and destruction, save for US continued domination ~ what good can you inherit in a destroyed globe? Clueless vanity  indeed

Going forward

2025 is gonna be surreal; how does, or can, FED reduces rates if, and when, P. Trump imposes higher tariffs and caused imported inflation and how will Asia, in particular China, in her current deflationary mode, motivate "spending and the multiplier"

The world's trades will shrink, plausibly triggering a global recession when one dominant economic bloc refused, nor allow others, to trade with other regional blocs.

But, all is not lost; After the dusts settled, and the damages done, it is reconstruction time when sanity returns   

Everyone will pay a price for the 'insanity to beggar thy neighbors' ~ there will never be a perfection of this imperfect world ~ sharing is the only way to survive and prosper

Man & His Karma

when human turns dark & plot against one another...

The turbulent world will be made worse by selfishness, greed, envy and hate

When resources and opportunities are scarce, the fear of losing and 'not having' more push more to 'destroy thy neighbors' and plot against one another

The top 10% control 90% of global resources and wealth, hoarding lead to more sufferings and resentment

The poor(est) brilliant outliers will plot to singlehandedly to destroy the hoarders 'to save' the general populace ~ an ideation born out of frustration

Nobody is any smarter with the consequences as the rich cannot live in a sea of poors and the poor man's life is of little value 烂命无价

Man work to live and not live to work 

生活不是活生生的 Life is to live as a human and not living as a zombie 

Many preach to live with compassion, care & share and to give a helping hand to those in need. But, alas, as there are less to share and go around, such saintly advice shalt fell on deaf ears

Well, well ...all is not lost

MAD ~ Mutual Assured Destruction - is the time where more bad characters are killed but wars and destruction cannot differentiate 

Guess, in the pool of dead, 15% are accidental deaths; being at the wrong place and the wrong time - 85% are baddies

Avoid the crowds

After the destruction, comes calmness, peace, acceptance and prosperity; perhaps, it is a situation of 'no choice', that is, reconstruction and rebuilding lives

Human are generally more cooperative, harmonious and caring when the world level down and very divisive when prosperity, coupled with corruption, breed widening Gini-Coefficient and dissatisfaction  

Earth, with GOD's blessings, will be the Heaven for all humans left behind after the chaos; destruction is not a must but the results of Man's fallacy & foolishness

Do not despair

More often than not, the baddies and their leaders will die ahead of the good and goodies. Why? The baddies plot against one another and to destroy the other; the good are incidentally destroyed

Provocateurs die the same deaths as their victims; nobody escapes Karma

So long as Man choose to dominate, conquer and destroy the weaker ones, the world will self destruct; the weaker mass is capable of cumulative destructive forces when irrationality reigns

Revolutions and change of regimes do not happen in isolation but after substantial repression and desperation

The moon will shines despite being lightless ~ the Sun helps

The still water will flow again and clears though it had stagnated ~ the winds help

In anarchy, a new leader is born to lead the flock out of misery

Everyone here on Earth is on a mission and for redemption

Every drips and drops fill the ocean just as all & more good will make Earth a Heaven; the miseries are the result of bad vibes and actions 

There is enough to feed the world's population but greed, selfishness and hoarding create famine, hunger and destruction

Some day soon, the food silos will be ransacked and redistributed and the wealthy baddies destroyed

If, and as many believe, GOD so love the world... henceforth, the sufferings are man-made

Believe ~ GOD will deliver

Be good

2025 - The Future Is Bright & Prosperous

slowly but surely everything changes...

This is the last month [december] of the year ~ day by day and finally the last month shall pass too

Frankly, nothing changes except the new calendar, 2025, appears as life goes on

The IMPOSSIBLES were made possible

Like many, the year started with hopes and aspirations, checked and disrupted by many uncertain and unexpected events; the genocidal actions of Israel bombardment of Hamas & Palestinians, the testing of us$100,000 by Bitcoin, the use of western powers' missiles by Ukraine to hit Russia and prompting President Putin to threaten the use of nukes against the provocateurs, the pumping of fresh monies into the 5-years Bear market in China hence allowing some semblance of stability and recovery of the PRChinese economy, the 6-hour of South Korean martial law, the pardoning of Biden's son by the outgoing President Biden himself ... Aboveall, the landslide win by Trump of the US presidential election against all odds

Pressures keep building & an implosion is not to be totally discounted

Nearer home, the stepping down of LHL as PM to become SM and the ascension of LW as PM, the ever increasing costs of living yet being cosmetically offsetted by rebates and vouchers, the political asylum for LHY, the blurring of lines of the ruling party with institutions and organs of the State, the liberal widening of import of foreigners, the widening Gini Coefficient gap ...     As of June 2023, the population of Singapore stands at 5.92 million. Of these 5.92 million people, 4.15 million are residents, consisting of 3.61 million citizens and 540,000 permanent residents (PRs)

The exuberance of Capital Markets 

As at today [10th Dec]:

S&P500    6052.85          DJIA  44,401.93         Nasdaq  19,736.69

STIC 3813.55        Gold  2703.80         Crude   68.40

Nikkei  39,367.58     HSIA  20,311.28        FTSE Bursa  1,608.97

Trump's election victory has created as much uncertainty going forward as there are direct positive correlation in WallStreet, but for how long [more]. 

I bet against excesses; the markets cannot live on promises alone; traders beware and be forewarned. The smart money is seeking safer heavens with lower and more earthly valuations

Expecting the unexpected will lessen the impact of 'shocking changes' in 2025  

The probability of large scale wars breaking out

There is increasing concerns that aerial proxy wars may snowballed into one big war[WW3]; this is quite likely as skirmishes and accidental wars are gameplays for politicians but when nukes fly, nobody will be spared

US is happy that Europe is entwined with Ukraine over its war with Russia ~ an uncertain Europe is one aspiring#world#leader#competitor less 

Against US plots & hopes, China is unlikely go to war with Taiwan. Any accidental war is more likely a "N Korea vs S Korea/Japan" but emotions amongst Asian nations will sway toward backing China than Japan because the atrocities/ghosts of WW2 is still raw [memories] with many 

Israel vs Palestine & the surrounding areas is not unlike daily bread; it's been brewing for years

More importantly, NO nuke-armed nations will surrender to another ~ it's MAD ~ Mutual Assured Destruction

Nukes in a sane man is peace but nukes with a mad man is simply M.A.D

Maybe, destiny has it that the global population has to be reduced and decimated as Man's ego, greed, vanity and his One#UpManship drive him into his dismal choice; Man will never learn a/any lesson

The future is not that bleak but it could have been better. We should welcome the Century of Asian Growth whereupon more than half the global population stay. 

I have strong positive vibes that after the uncertain phase, peace and prosperity shalt prevail & Asia will be the Centre of Global Economic Leadership & Growths

Small Wins Fill Us With Glee

 losing turn winning is a pleasant surprise...

It can be very discouraging, if not depressing, when you haven't win or enjoyed victory for a while

Even a draw, or the chance to overturn the table@negotiations are plusses 

The chance to say "NO" to the others and to walk away instead of agreeing to a lesser bargain, is in itself, a victory

Alas! This just show how even minor, immaterial victory soothes the nerve and provides sparks of hopes and encouragement

The most wreaking challenge is when everything seem to hit the wall despite all 'best efforts'

Well, well ... I have cleared numerous impasses with gilt edge languages and charm

Guess, if it must go wrong, it still will

Finding comfort in saying "not doing may not be the worst" only soothes the ego and the pains of defeat

More often than not, the provocateur or coward will throw challenges to 'thumb you down'  & threatens to 'show hands' ~ calling a bluff 

If you are not prepared or you 'give in' without a fight, they sweep you from under your feet and throw you under the bus

Always Be Prepared 知彼知己百战百胜 

Winning is everything

When you are indifferent to others opinions, do not rely on others efforts and is "the light upon oneself", nothing can defeat you

I have been dragged through a bad patch recently with low biorhythm, dispirited, low battery, discouraged and almost defeated... 

Instead of trawling the energyless pit, i focus on physical exercises, let the mind wonders, be listless, read and allow some indulgences & leave spaces and time for idleness 

Lousy days and listlessness deserves desertion ~ emptiness is not void and all shalt pass

I spent time with GOD alone; being aware of HIS presence & enjoying the vacant self, void of worries and distractions

Enjoy NATURE ; the scent of flowers, the dancing blades of grass swaying in the wind, the breeze caressing you, the musical waves, the warmth sunshine, the countless stars, the sleepy-faced moon, the light rain...  submit to GOD and he shalt set you free

I am no weakling but I have no magic 

In GOD, I Trust

HE is beginning to reward me with energy, blessings and winnings; however small

With good health & blessings, I will ride the chariots into victory

No Man can defeat all Men but HE shalt empower me with the means to achieve the end

 

 

 

Begin & End Is A Fine Line

the end of something is the beginning of another...

The day ends into the night, vice versa, as the sea ends at the shores

Babies are born and the 'growing ups' pass; age non-definitive

At the extreme of misery is recovery ~ if you are at your worst, the only way is up

Capitalism swing into socialism as the "HAVE-NOTs" rebel to wrestle from the selfish "HAVEs" who hoard resources with intents to dominate and dictate

It is survival of Man that pushes for reform ~ the rich cannot live in a sea of poors

Soon, December will give way to a new year

At some point in time, the world rebalances

But, the wrath of Nature is merciless when changes are in motion

No human capabilities & technology can resist Nature's prowess bent of rebalancing the imbalances 

By GOD's grace, pollutants must be cleared and cleaned to allow human survival

Changes, when forced upon, are always painful, least desirable and resisted but nobody has yet to tame, let alone beat, Nature

 

Let Nature takes it's course 顺其自然 and go with the flow - that's the least resistance path

If everything is Destined, then why work? Destiny is a broad path for you to take - you pick your journey. Youthful energy cannot be exchange for experiences that are acquired over time

Experiences can be acquired by reading [least painful & most rewarding], listening and learning from the more experienced elders and mentors and getting yourself 'dump at the deep end of the pool' [costly yet painful at times]

Do your best and leave the rest; learn a skill, arm yourself with a degree, learn the intricacies of the industry, build a niche solution and the rest will fall into place

Time is the best friend & all shalt materialize

天时地利人和 也要好运 ： 该来的已经在路上

The best solution is found in money

Money grease the systems and make everything easier 有钱不是万能 但 没钱万万不能

When Society is poor, everyone works together for the betterment of the whole

When Society prospers and matures, a new upper class of elites is created to rule the commoners

Trust, the delicate glue that holds everyone together, will be abused when greed takes root

Hunger brews anarchy and rebellion and the smashed up fibers allow restitching - A new equilibrium surfaces 

Treat everyone with awe and respect and betray no one

You may grab a little more but make sure there is enough to go around

A hungry man is an angry man; if need be, he will burn the hut down to rebuild the village

Well, well - the beginning and end is only a fine line

Let there be compassion

A Better Life : You Can Change Your Life

reflection is the truth...

Before you pass judgements, look into the mirror

When you were betrayed and 'sold', was it because you were too innocent, you were too trusting or you have relied heavily on the other party to achieve your goal

You can blame the whole world except yourself but the ultimate bearer of burden and consequences is you; yourself

It is disadvantageous to have too many friends as most are with you for a purpose aka "use". If you are not useful, why do they bother to call and count on you? The value of friendship starts with "usefulness", just as your bosses/employers pay you for your use/contributions

A big network is important and useful for information flow and tapping, not for gossips, conspiracy and backstabbing 

A network is a collection of people with fairly like-minded interests, good, bad & scheming (characters) aside 

A few friends, a few bosom friend, a few trustworthy friends ~ nobody can say "I have many of these..." reliable yet available

When you decided to close yourself to everyone or most, you will be surprised "how empty and quiet" your life is... no gossips, requests for help, being 'used', hearing loads of noises & peace returns

But, an idle mind is a devil's workshop

Slowly, but surely, you will (need to) fill in the void

If you are young again, do you or will you choose the same route? If yes, then you need not clear the clutters and should continue as usual before the Devil occupies 

Whatever fits, do ~ YOLO

If Providence is pre-destined, then why do you need to struggle? No, those who struggle are swimming [fighting] against the flow instead of doing your best & leaving the rest ... not doing anything is the other negative extreme

Nature rewards the brave and patience ~ Brave to try and not give up and patience to wait for results

Like all things, some days are harder and nothing seems to go right; I'd drop everything and close for the day

Taking long walks is also a form of meditation ~ try walking aimlessly but safely. Let your feet and mind leads you. Let your mind wonders

As much as you walk forward, you will need to return to your start-point

Henceforth, you will discover that where you were (before the start) weren't exactly that bad ... everything goes in circle and we return to (re-)start again

We  came alone and shalt return alone too

Every other persons' opinions and voices do not affect us ...  没有如果只有结果与后果

Swim the deepest ocean, climb the highest mountain, jump the vertical cliff; do enough to have stories to tell when you are old and no longer able to attempt the 'impossible'

GOD has a plan for you & HE allows you maximum spaces to demonstrate & experiment but be prepared for the consequences, for the better or worse 种因得果

Life is like water

No fix shape nor size

Water cuts through rocks and steel

Drips & drops of water fill the ocean

Water evolve & travel in cycles ~ liquid, vapor, solid

Human is unstoppable except by oneself

I am & I will ... be water

 

Never Hate

Be your own lighthouse...

Never hate ... is a powerful solution to all of life's challenges

Hate is a negative emotion and it drains you both, mentally and physically

When your friend plays you out, you hate him instead of learning from your lessons to stay away from him & other fairly similar characters 

When someone provokes you or talk down to you, you can be angry & disturbed but let the moment lapse as soon as it surfaces. Why? You've suffered that moment, let it go instead of suffering in infinity

Choose your battles; not all battles must be fought

When you need to fight the harassment of a cackle of hyenas, you will never walk away alive neither will you be able to leave to seek freedom & achievements   

Not all failures need to be bitter as most happen for a reason and, at times, unexpectedly

Betrayals, short-changed, disruptions, abrupt changes... are all lessons and norms

The earlier that you get over, the faster you recover and move ahead  

The choice is clear: either you are stuck or you move on & progress

Misery can be incisive but should always be temporary ~ it's like crying in the rain and let nobody notices your tears

Retreat into your cocoon to rest & recuperate when you are feeling hurt, energy depleted,; it is best not to share but to swallow the load 

Nobody really wants to know your problem while the majority smirks conceitedly 落井下石

Rest if you must and give yourself a break ~ "the good riddance feelings"

Before ASEAN was formed, SEAsia was a divisive region of nations; compulsive, aggressive, suspicious and, at times, jealous of their more successful neighbors    

ASEAN was born in 1967 with Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand as founders. It grew and is still growing, minus the hurts, suspicions, aggression and jealousy. These negatives did not disappear but they are managed and ventilated to ease relationships. Any disagreements are mediated & resolved  or, the quarreling parties can opt out temporarily ~ that is, rest but not quit

Do not let hate burn your Soul

Be at peace with yourself and others 

When you forgive, you give yourself a chance to be released from emotional bondage and learn from your defeats 放下就轻松 笑看江湖

I am the lighthouse upon myself, then others, not unlike the moon that shines in the night though it doesn't produce light but reflects the sun's rays. I am the catalyst, the motivator and the glow

I cannot change anyone nor the world but when I change, the world changes with me

I am rebooting myself to create a "new" me; say little, listen more, be indifferent to everything and everyone that don't concern nor benefit me... to be blind and deaf to the surrounding

Like a squirrel; goes out hunting for food, bring home, store and until the food runs out, nothing bothers

I am not turning selfish but I'm still licking my wounds from my own generosity and empathy. Nobody will ever understand the hurts 苦中作乐 that burns within 

After 10 months of extreme patience, I was almost defeated by myself ~ accommodating everyone ~  but, slowly but surely ... the tomorrow shalt come

All shalt pass and I shalt return better and stronger

I Am Defeated ... But Not Out

giving up is the best way out...

No expectations, no disappointments ~ easier said than done

Without expectation, where do you find motivation? It is the expectation of achieving success [your goal] that motivates you to work towards it

The expectation of achieving the goal, especially when you have used up all you know, call upon all avenues of help and are fairly sure, yet the last mile to success seems distance, stress manifests sharply

It's so easy to say "just give up"; but when the reward is so thick that between success and failure seems only [like] a hair breathe away

To accept defeat & give up is to leave it to GOD ; that's truly altruistic

My energy is low and I am dispirited; probably at one of my lowest biorhythm 

I have poured more hours into physical exercises, walk away from unyielding situations and create distractions to burn out my polluted 'energy', however low 

But, I am also aware that if I give myself more spaces, allow more time to lapse  发呆 , trying to remain indifferent 随缘 and just "let it be" 潇洒, I recover and manage to see and obtain more positive results

I am after all, a HUMAN; with all the weaknesses and failings associated to mortals

I lived by the nickname "the incurable positive" yet there are days that I am almost completely hollow-out and fell deep into the miserable depth 

I guess when success is few and far in-between and there is little to do, not to mention 'to achieve' in this snail-paced environment, many simply opt out and give up  

There is no right nor wrong answer! Not everyone can push on as some will crack under stress and suffer anxieties and depression

There is no "Why Me?" answers ... In all races, you can opt out

I? I...? I lie low, move aside from the race, rest a little, reassess my situation, allow the ill-winds to pass, try to lock myself out of the ecosystem and remain staid

It is no easy task to stand aside and watch the world goes by

This smiley cow is an inspiration

It looks healthy, well built, cheerful, indifference to the surroundings and enjoying every moments

It is said that the "cow knows if it's end-day is near but will never run & accepts whatever Fate dishes to it. But, it will shed tears though"

I have enough to get by and I should be sitting by the beach with my newspapers and 6-packs and watch the world goes by

I have reentered the race with limitless fervor, drive and grit but nothing prepares me for this slowdown

I am a mentor and life-coach to many 

But, as the going says "the Master saves you, but who saves the Master?" I leave my healing with GOD. In HIS arms, I shalt rest, nurture my hurts and lick my wounds, away from the unforgiving environment ~ in solitude, I retreat 

Sometimes, I asked if I have pushed myself too much & too far and putting myself through a fresh baptism of fire?  Maybe...

No good sword can be minted without the fiery furnace, pounded between the anvil and hammer

I am in retreat and recess. I must crawl into my cocoon and hide away until the ill-winds blow over

Everyone has his down-days and I have mine

GOD has given me the wisdom to accept my weaknesses, walk away and rest; I shalt return stronger

My days will be the same 以退为进  ~  饭照吃，酒照喝， 舞照跳 。。。 没有做不到的事  只有还没想到

Alas! Every dog has its days

When the big picture is turbulent and unfavorable, going against it is not unlike swimming against the tides; I accept defeat gracefully

Live to fight another day

I shalt return better and stronger

I Want Back My Simple Life

looking back and letting go of the past...

As you move forward in life, you reminisce your past 

When you were struggling to put meals on the table, worries find no place in your mind

Anxieties, depression, disorientation and unhappiness fill an idle mind, causing imbalances

When you are struggling to make ends meet, wondering where the next meal is coming from, you'd need to scrap the bottom to find solutions to fill your stomach; the rest are irrelevant

Now that I have ample time to look back, the best times were actually the struggling days; finding food, getting through the day by doing your best without thoughts of the 'expected' rewards

Come whatever may; I made it through the day ~ blessed by GOD's grace

HE never fail to reward me for my efforts, however, small ...  at least, I will have enough to see myself through the day

After a hard day, the physically drained body leaves no room for regrets - every seconds of rest counts

There was a period of time where I worked, studied, stretched the little money I have, sleep for 3-4 hours a day yet find time to exercise and keep fit - some opined that I was 'super' but I was simply normal. I don't want to be super but  normal

I bite the bullet and never complains & channeled my energies to my goal - quietly, slowly but surely - the goal to survive, then make enough & finally 'prosper'

LUCK is when preparation meets opportunity天时地利人和 还要好运

It is so easy to enjoy success and time simply flies

When misfortune hits, time crawl - seconds were like hours

Frankly, there is NO need to share your sorrows; nobody really cares

You'd need to walk through the baptism of fire 苦中作乐 No empathy can relieve you of your pains

The world loves a winner - always show the world your positive side even if you're crumbling

The world will never be fair - it is said to be "fair' to appease the weaker ones

Always take the middle path 以和为贵

When you fight, or need to fight, always fight to win - if you can't beat him [Knock-Out] decisively, he will come back to haunt you

Sometimes, I want to eat plain porridge with a few simple dishes by the roadside stall, step aside for a small beer, enjoy small talks,  laughs heartily and disappear into the crowds

In my simpler days, I used to cycle or walk to the beach alone, sit by the wavebreaker, read newspapers and sip beers under the hot sun

I love walking in the rain where my heavy heart and worries are washed away and nobody notice my tears & my heart lightens thereafter 男人哭吧哭吧不是罪

I guess it would not be long before I walk back in life - the simple life

I am spending more time to keep fit, stay healthy and be alone ... Alone is not loneliness

I will endeavor to forgive and forget -  forgive myself and forget my worries - as I seek clarity of humanity

I'm walking into the Arms of God to seek comfort & relief

Expect The Unexpected; Markets Reward The Brave & Prepared

try, and you will find out...

Social & environmental 

There is a trend or a pattern in everything you do

The outliers will act beyond the given trend

The cosmic power is changing constantly and realignment and manifestation are norms

You need not outshine others in everything you do but you need to do it differently to achieve the desired results as the environment changes

Being stubborn, procrastination and being unyielding are negative (determination) whereas perseverance is positive. The former are emotional responses to a given situation whereas the latter is based on facts

As much as you detest and protest unpopular policies, they are there for certain purposes. If you wanna participate, you have to oblige the rules, not unlike you can only use legs for soccer and hands for basketball

Economy & the rich-poor gap

For the last 20 years or so, the gap between the rich and poor widens. Globally, the highest wealth rung controls $208.3 trillion in wealth, or 45.8% of the global total which is just 1.1% of the world adult population

In the last many years, improvement in productivity in Singapore has been minimal to nil with the heavy reliance of imported, unskilled foreign workers and the higher unemployed and underemployed local PMETs due to the loose labor policies which allowed many foreigners, even armed with unknown & ungraded Unis certs, to squad in Singapore to look for jobs. GDP growth were unimpressive  

It is hateful to hear the leaders saying "Singapore do not have talents!" If Singaporeans are not given a chance to gainful employment, how would they ever be trained, let alone flourish into talents in their respective fields

Before 1997 HK-handover, many HKers were offered jobs and PRs in Singapore. Many came, made their fortunes, climbed the corp ladder but within 10 years or so,   most went back to HK or migrated to greener pastures and leaving Singapore to hollow-out...

The non - transparency, accountability and  'ownself check ownself' policies have created  a breach of efficiency and eroded the  effectiveness that were once the proud trademark of Singapore's systems

2024 is a dynamic year and we are in the last quarter ~ Oct/Nov/Dec ~ the speed of change will accelerate and manifest 

As the environment synchronize while the elements clashes, expect the unexpected - the more volatile, the more uncertainty, the greater the impact

Gossipy Stock Markets

In early Sep, 2024, in my blog, I opined that the western financial markets [DJIA, NASDAQ, S&P500] have been rising for the last 4-5years and chances of rebound to continue the uptrend is still alive but the eastern markets of China/HK had declined during the same period. On valuation, the East is cheaper and the smart money will follow the smell of cheaper valuation. [I have been more affirmative about the East after April, 2024 ~ in earlier blogs]

The last 8 days of rebound in China/HK markets were exponential & impactful

A word of caution:

Following the China/HK stock markets rebound in the last 8 days[exceeding the recent year highs], the East/West [DJIA, S&P500 & Nasdaq] capital markets are moving in sync. 

Typically, when the markets move in sync, the next directional change will likely to be together and more impactful.         

October/November are cyclically more volatile & traders' profits and losses are crystallize in this period; the trials and tribulations are experienced