2026 ~ A Year Of Opportunities

reap bountiful harvest in the year of reckoning ...

New year 2026 is no different from other years except the speed & impact of changes are monumental

Information & misinformation, truths & half-truths, deepfakes and the deluge of information causes disruptions, uncertainties and mental stresses

Stay calm, be patient & calculated; not all issues require responses ~ let it be and all shalt pass ~ indifference is not ignorance

To promote a harmonious & peaceful environment, 修心养生cultivate character, pick a hobby, listen to music, watch a drama, take a long walk, watch the world goes by, allow 发呆idling, avoid unnecessary arguments ... & stay away from toxic characters & people. You cannot avoid toxic people, but you can stay [far] away 

Freak not; leave it to GOD whatever [anything] that is beyond Man's control

Tsunami, tornadoes & hurricanes destroy before clearing & cleaning up; nothing is left to chances as all that shalt be cleaned will be & a new environment begins. Do not blame climate change for natural calamities ~ Earth has evolved for millions of years; the stone age, the ice age & now, it's the Age of Change. The Ring of Fire will blow up; it's only when & the shift of tectonic plates will realign land mass  

The stock markets and commodity markets have gone 'berserk', spiraling upwards like loosed monies seeking save heaven; reasons and logic are thrown out of the window

The rich valuation in DJIA, S&P500 and NASDAQ became a 'new normal' as many screamed "this time it is different". Will "thou shalt rise" continue into 2026? Perhaps, you can see DJIA [52,000], S&P500 [7,300] and NASDAQ [27,000] ... but expect an impactful corrective low 1Qtr [Jan - Apr] 

Gold is likely to face some resistance and profit taking $4800-5200 while silver faces resistant selling & profit taking $75-82

If oil is an indication of the health of global economy, Crude Oil 52 weeks Hi/Lo $80.77/54.98 & Brent Crude 52 weeks Hi/Lo $82.63/58.39 then the future doesn't look very promising

Fading industries: property, manufacturing, finance, start-ups, metal trading 

Growth potentials: AI [avoid overly rich valuations & buying 'hopes'], advance pharmas, eBanks solutions & offerings, logistics & warehousing, food supplies, power & oil

2026 is the year of opportunities ~ You need to have enough spare cash to 'buy into opportunities危机'; deleverage early & build your war chest. 

Your mental strength determines your harvest, going forward 知足常乐 看好就收

   

A Beautiful 2026 Shalt Return After The Awakening

when December gives way to January ...

Many rush out new resolutions, some dust & buttress old resolutions, while a few simply brush up existing resolutions hoping to achieve their last resolves

January ends in December & returns in the new year; the only change is the calendar ~ a new year. Life continues, issues need resolutions and hunger needs food ... HOPEs remain alive 

It is confidence, believes, trusts & hopes that give energy to drive into the future; slow down if you must but don't quit & never loss hope

It's 7 days before December 2025 expires; don't freak! Life continues ~ your inspirations and challenges don't disappear

Economics - Global economies are more restrained & their growth muted as embargoes, tariffs, currencies uncertainties & regional conflicts are burn brightly

Politics - Nothing beats 2025 political 'upheavals & props'; Ukraine/Russia conflict prod on by NATO using 'seized Russian monies', Japan 'threw sparks & burn' the Taiwanese/China union  possibility, US seizure of Venezuelan oil vessels in the name of drug trafficking whilst China & Russia are eveready to back Venezuela, Thailand/Cambodia border conflicts have escalated while eagled-eye Vietnam looks on, North & South Korean differences can take a back seat as Japan seek old interventionist intents ... the list goes on

Social - As economies slowed many countries are against immigration & foreigners - grabbing jobs & suppressing wages [from locals]. Protests on foreign workforce stretch from Australia to Europe, Japan to New Zealand & US and others. Religious and race issues easily spark pro and anti -rallies. Singapore is probably the only country insulated from immigration implosive street actions. A hungry man is an angry man

Don't need to be alarmed as information, misinformation, propaganda and half-truths, including AI-generated deep fakes, travel faster than you can 'digest'

It's an incontinence of info-overloads; Read, enjoy the contents & believe nothing, if at all - the flights of fantasy make Disney fairytales a kids play

Do not spend too much time on eMedia ~ it will wreck your life as deep fakes can influence your emotions & bottled you into a wreck - if lies are repeated long enough, it becomes true to the convinced/believer

In this age where information populate like flies, everything is on a 'need to know basis'; don't know, don't hurt

Give yourself the space & avenues to be yourself; no two persons are the same. Uniqueness is GOD's art

Gini-Coefficient - The world is getting richer but the people poorer, not unlike information flows which are faster, but more people are lonelier and unable to relate. Wealth is concentrated at the top 3% of the population while hoarding & waste of resources are making the general population poorer and famish

Capital & Finance - The oft heard phrase is "this time is different"; 1929 Great depression did not [fully] recover until 1940. 1997/98 Asian Financial Crisis, 2000 DotCom crisis & SARS [faded by 2004] & 2008 Global Financial Crisis had caused miseries across the globe. Borrowed monies & credit expansion through printing currencies allowed 'borrowed time' to resolve the economic quagmires. However, kicking the can down the road do not resolve real problems

  

Today's valuation of Wall Street [DJIA, S&P500, NASDAQ] stocks are unseen for decades as many quipped "this time is different"!

Unfortunately, my view is 2026 will be the Age of The Great Unwinding as reality strikes & wars, confrontation, economic warfare & social unrests are the consequences, not the causes. The rich cannot live in the sea of poor as the hungry Man is an angry Man

Man will have to pay dearly in The Awakening 觉醒 and the consequences & tolls will be unseen in history. Man's folly has consequences 

I am not an alarmist but forewarned is forearmed

  

 

Live Well Today ~ Tomorrow Isn't Promised

life changes at every turn of a decade...

Are you happy? Are you ready for abrupt or unexpected changes? Expecting the unexpected is wisdom that few have, let alone accept it

There is no perfection as, like ideals, perfection changed after you have 'arrived'

Ideals & goals change with time

When the young start to build their future, the future is hollow yet promising; it's all a dream  

You use youthful capital to carve future wealth, achievements, goals and your deemed ideals

You have nothing to loss; from zero to zero is still zero ~ any pluses along the way is positive

You either gain wealth, fame, power or experiences ... or all

瞒(满)夫出海 ~ In the book, 36 Strategies(记), the first strategy is written as 满夫出海 the journey begins with full of hopes whereas the original version was 瞒夫出海 meaning (the future is) hidden from the explorer when he begins his journey

Clearly, everyone is motivated by the hopeful, not the hidden, journey

Empty nest syndrome: when the kids grow up, move out and settle down, the house is emptied, and the couple is left to enjoy their twilight years. The house becomes cold, and void if one of them passed on  

Life is finite and time is memory 没有天长地久 只要曾经拥有

Live life to the fullest and treasure every moment ~ stay healthy, cheerful & positive

Cultivate hobbies, enjoy some sports, build a network and have enough to lead a 'normal' life. You don't need many friends but reliable confidantes who are there to offer a listening ear & a comforting shoulder

Have FAITH for HE will always be there for you; the warmth feels of the presence of the good GOD/Lord is comforting and omnipresent 

Like Dao道, life balances 

There will always be two sides to everything: day & night, happiness & sorrow, calmness & volatility, water & fire, fit & loose ... good & bad, but nothing is permanent

Enjoy every moment, come sunshine or hellfire 

Life is a journey; Alone is not loneliness, empty is not void & all shalt pass

Allow some time for self-indulgence and reflection ~ memories are soothing

Man proposes, GOD disposes; I am the determinator of my life & whatever is within me, I shalt breeze through. Whatever is beyond me is in GOD's care 

The mortal world has limits

I thank GOD for every moment and I'm forever grateful for my well-being & wellness

I stretch my hands of friendship, compassion, empathy, gratitude & appreciation & begets same 

Tomorrow is never promise

Be Grateful & Receive Your Due Rewards In The New Year

giving thanks and receiving blessings...

In our everyday haste, we fight every nook and corner singly when we could have left the fight to the AlMighty ~ just do your best and leave the rest

Man proposes, GOD disposes

If Destiny is unwaverable, then go with the flow 改不了命 哪就改命运

You cannot force the issue, but you can certainly find ways to overcome your own shortcomings

"YES, I can" is more powerful than when you begin all challenges and encounters starting with "No, not another obstacle!"  

Hate it or love it ~ when you overcome the challenges with zeal and zest, the victory is sweetest

I always win; either I win hands down or I gain experiences ~ nothing goes to waste & there is no time for regrets

December is a month to reflect whilst many others plan new resolutions! I don't do either

I run a tight ship ~ forward plan is (for) five years and review every three months. Every beginning of the year, I would check my 'compass', look at my forward lighthouse and adjust the direction, if need be

Twice in the last 50years, I had to abandon plan after the second year as situation had changed dramatically; disruption is fatal

Change is the only constant

You may be able to delay changes, but change is the catalyst & is inevitable as things and the situation evolve

Move along or be displaced & disrupted  该来的总是会来

Earth has more than enough to feed its population, but hoarding deprived many resulting in famine and poverty. The rich cannot live in a sea of poor as Man eats to live, not live to eat

Be grateful, give thanks and seek blessings; everyone needs to eat enough, nothing excessive ~ gluttony is a sin

Money is a means to an end

Be grateful 感恩 and satisfied 知足 harmony shalt follow 常乐 Go with the flow 孔敏借东风 万事顺

December is the last month of the year & many will be doing stock taking [setting new Resolutions] ~ this allows renewals. But 'repeating resolutions without changing your attitude leads nowhere'  

The world is getting chaotic as information deluge and flood. Stay calm, remain sane and be patient and let the ill-winds pass - time is the best bridge between solutions and problems 

Non-reaction is, by itself, a solution

Be thankful and have FAITH; good days ahead for those who are calm, resilient and 'indifference' 

Be wise; stay healthy and alive - GOD has better plans when you have doubts

 

Better Times Ahead ~ Will You Be Around

prepare for unforeseen changes...

Change is easier when you want to, not when you are forced to

Minimizing your regrets; you can change the future, but you cannot undo whatever you have done. Every effort can narrow the existing margin of error & regrets

Anger, hates, frustration, envy and trustless relationships inhibit your growth & potential; why drown yourself in others inflicted hurts that mean nothing if you look, or walk, away? It takes two hands to clap ... leave them to choke on their own mean desires

Wisdom is allowing Nature to direct you ~ 水 ~ 向东流 / 山顶必有路 Go with the flow

Man creates, initiate, attempt to draw the future forward & plan a perfect plan but GOD disposes; life is a destination, and the route is the journey. Don't die with regrets

My inner energy is crackling up, the sparks of youthfulness, the vitality and awe 回光返照 或是 青春从起 It is the sparks that I have waited to recreate for awhile 

Colonel Saunders 'success' started at the depth of depression, aged 65yo, with his $100+ pension money. Guess, life's oddity & wonders is for you to discover 

No two person are the same ~ live your own life.  We need not fit into everyone's expectation 

Wealth can be earned, replenished & found but health recovery is tougher, at times, impossible  

Maintenance is the solution; eat enough, sleep well and keep stress at bay. You need not have everything but be contented with whatever you have. When health declines, quality drops & life decay 知足长乐 不求天长地久 只求要用就有

Be the light onto others as you will be "the sparkles within yourself" 

We work to live, earn enough to have peace of mind, achieve a fun filled healthy life, to share and to care  

Money 钱  I have been somehow involved in the capital & financial markets since day 1 of my career. I have witnessed the very wealthy collapsed and some paupers rose from rags to riches

Those who collapsed almost always 'show hand' & bet all whilst the few who made it accumulate wealth, every cent counts

What is rich or how do you deem you are rich? You are rich when you spend on whatever you want, within your means and are not miserly nor too thrifty, especially on yourself. You don't need to have lots of money, but you need to be generous to yourself 活好自己

Be forewarned that the world is going through acute yet abrupt changes; you need to be prepared mentally as the 'physicals' will, and likely to, change monumentally ~ fire reduces everything to ashes 

Be kind, compassionate, care & share, have empathy and stay calm to ride out the changes 

Wisdom rules & bountiful sweet harvests await Dead man tells no tales

The dusts will settle after mid-June 2026 - economic swings, military skirmishes, Natural calamities, health threats and social unrests... shalt pass  

HELP ~ Help If You Can

be the light onto others...

The moon lit up the darkness of night without its own light; it reflects the Sun

The night is darkest before dawn breaks 黎明之前是最黑暗的 the ensuing brightness brightens every living soul

It costs you nothing when you offer a compliment, an encouragement, a greeting or a motivation

But it may light up the paths of the recipient, save a life and lead to new successes & fresh breakthroughs

Empathy is hollow for the many who has not been through the same predicament, save for offering a listening ear 苦中作乐

When water floods, it destroys & leave behind trails of damages but when fire rages, whatever left behind is ashes

Most life lasts thereabout (of) 36,000 days or less, with few exceeding 100 years old

You cry when you arrive, but others cry when you die; nonetheless, all will be forgotten after 3 generations; nothing is permanent

Fame, power & wealth yield influence whereas brutalities exact compliance but none is permanence - It is your needs & wants that make you pliant 

Rule 1 - The boss is always right ~ Rule 2 - If the boss is wrong, see Rule 1 ~ Rule 3 - If you don't need the money, job & rewards, Fxxx above Rules & dump your boss

Exploit other's weaknesses and needs breed negative karma

Be compassionate, magnanimous, forgiving but non-scheming to harvest positive karma

Relief yourself of desires, envy and revenge - this is the cycle of never-ending sufferings

Help if you can (offer) but don't harbor evil intents & schemes. It's fine if you don't help or don't want to help

The defeat of your enemies and aggressors is your success & entitlement, but you may need to pay if innocents were maimed and destroyed 

A rewarding and fruitful life is one that is filled with satisfaction of having done enough to make the world a better place and living pleasant

May the drops of help fill our troubled world with compassion, ease & comfort and alleviate the sufferings of the less fortunate and needy

GOD is watching  

Good Times Ahead: A New Wealth Redistribution Is Due Soon

when the best-to-be returns...

When the situation suddenly turns for the better; offers flow in, apologies appear out of the blues, errors were avoided, long lost contacts return with potentials ...

Is this a sign of the times or another false beginning ~ take the challenges and go forth with confidence

The future is best left unknown and to explore

Thrills await the adventurous and unsolicited victories taste sweetest

History has proven that not everything will be crystalized as planned 

Man proposes, GOD disposes

Life and death are destined but the route is fairly fluid, and the journey is uneven

Alexandra The Great achievements ended early; Genghis Khan expanded China geographically and the Ottoman Empire expanded Islam 

The world will be very different today if Germany and Japan were united and shared the spoils of wars 

China suffered 100 years of humiliations, and the continent could have been divided amongst the foreign invaders

Life evolves, troubles ease, solutions arise, luck multiply 

America/USA, under P Trump, disrupted world trades with tariffs, embargo and sanctions. Europe is pliant and oblige America at their own disadvantage and detriments whereas Russia and China, including India, are fiercely independent of America's demands

The brutal truth is no one can win when negotiations are held under the barrel of the gun   

A new world order is evolving

Going forward, change is fast and furious ~ individually, institutionally and geographically

Lie low and let the ill-winds blow pass, survive the sweeping changes and you shalt prosper when the good times return 

Tomorrow's growth and prosperity will come from newly motivated Economic Blocs, formed out of necessity, whilst proxy wars, provocations and diseases will slow down recovery 

Do Whatever Fits; tomorrow is never promised but a new multi-polar world's progress will shift prosperity from the entitled to the anointed ones

A capital shift, a global bankruptcy &/or level-minded (re)valuation will rebalance the distributions of wealth ~ you have been forewarned  

  

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