Smile & Smiley

the day the world ended ...

I say 'good morning' to many people every morning
It's nice to cheer up the world & to perk up the spirit
Some will response, some find it a nuisance

A few enjoy the spirit-lifting greetings but never responds
I eliminated a guy in my chat group as he never reponds & he said 'Hi, why you take me out? I enjoy the greetings!"
Holy ghosts! There you have a 'close' friend who just enjoy receiving but never cares about others' feeling!

I have been reciting my uplifting messages for years
Not because I am good but because by doing so, I uplift myself
Positive begets positive
The good Lord will always be with you ~ bless & be blessed

The loads of demands and expectations can floor a bull
I am a small built guy & the burden gets heavier by the day
Rightly or otherwise, everyone takes advantage of me
I struggle to keep my smile & I force a smiley fascade
The world loves a winner & I intend to remain

Sad or happy; life goes on

There is no permanence
Life is finite so is day and night
No one can take away what you refuse to submit
Violation has a price; retribution
Live and let live will allow the body and Soul to build up; stay healthy

Smile & the world smiles with you

You can't fly like an eagle if you work with turkeys
You cannot be happy if you are surrounded by depressed people
You will not prosper if all around you only whine, complain, look for excuses and had 'given-up'
Like the brush, your color is the color of the ink
Soak in misery & you are in the dumps

Friends come from all walks of life, space and sizes
Love you, hate you, use you, betray you...
Learn to be wiser as you age
The lessons are the same but by a degree higher
Take it easy...

天时地利人和

The best shall come at the right moment  in time
Some day, some how...we will get what we want
But do remember; you can't get apples if you sow banana seeds
Happy days are when you are healthy plus some cash
Even if you have loads of cash but without health, you are still in the dumps
No health, nothing else matters

Stay healthy, stay happy and GOD shall be scarce

A Broken Clock Is Right Twice A Day

tick, tock, tick, tock...

Whatever you do, don't worry ~ just do it
If you are determined enough, you will be right after a while
GOD will not forsake you forever; HE will return to 'redeem' HIMself
To proof that HE cares, afterall
The strange thing is many said "GOD helps those who helps themself", then why need HIM? Umm

I always believe HE is somewhere but every time, I truly need HIM, HE's no where to be found
Then, someone quipped "everything happens for a reason"; alas
Everything being fair, I want the upper half
If you do not have too much expectation, you will have lesser disappointments
I never doubt GOD, but I want to get whatever I want; if not where does success come from? Ya!

The truths is I have been waiting for the new, great break
But, everytime I'm told "soon"
Too much failures can be demoralising and undermine my 'samurai spirit'
There are days where starring at the ceiling is a norm but just when I am about to give up, a fresh breeze swings in to warm up my inner-self
I am baffled

Like the broken clock, I am right at times
The most miserable moment is also the most awakening
But, when I compare with my cohorts and those around me, I'm still much better
Or, is it time to give up and goes into the hills to meditate? Hahaha! I am not cut up la
Some day soon, Lady LUCK will returns ~ maybe tomorrow

If my hands are broken at 10 o'clock, I am right in the morning and night
But, I gonna be struggling for the next 11 hours set
That's life
Get use to it, I suppose.
GOD bless me with Abundances and Lucks

Taking Stock & Reviewing Annual Resolutions

whatever  and however you try, there is a possibility of ...

I have long forgotten what is a New Year's resolution
In fact, I don't set any as I review my objectives and intents quarterlyt
My big picture doesn't change but I persistently guide myself along my goal
Many times, it looked extremely promising only to evaporate without the 'ink of the pen'
Frustration, disappointments, disbelieves...but real

Man proposes, GOD disposes

Is there a 'sure' thing? No! Nothing is sure and it was never meant to be ...unless crystalized
In life, I guess, we just keep ploughing and irrigating the fields
Sow the seeds and wait for the 'heavenly blessings'; be it a farmer or a "Jack Ma"
Every good turn deserves another but if luck pans out that could be last turn
We can just be hopeful; do your best and leave the rest

The world loves a Winner

The straight "As" students may not go on to shine just as there are many who "A"s their careers
Jack Ma & Steve Jobs are rare finds but proofs of possibility
The elitism that breed in Singapore, though denied, has no place in Society
Meritocracy is a word of the past when kids are 'boxed up & streamed' in their early ages
When you served detention in NS, your career in Civil & Govt Service ceases

Why sentenced the youths early in their ages, be it streaming or in the NS? Elitism
It is definitely not the fear of competition from late bloomers but an outright 'social engineering'
Casting aside as many in early ages reduce the probability of fiercer competition latee
"White horses" are protected breed
As for the rest, the earlier you walk out of the system, the higher the chances of returning to victory

What have I achieved for the year? Nothing to shout about
But, I have build and sustain my health ~ a fact that no one else can help nor replace
When Steve Jobs was staring at the live-support machines, he was reminded that we are mere mortals
The elites think highly of themselves, rightly so, until the days of reckoning
Death the leveller

If Earth is a living hell, what gains do you get to live longer? The end is usually more devastating
Let the be compassion, care & share
The Earth will be destroyed in a nuke war; whether you are Trump, Kim, Xi or Lee
Live and let live ~ when you save one, its one. When you saved two, its a pair
I would rather live comfortably than in a stress-filled world

Tomorrow is never promised; live your best today

Looking back, I survived a tough and rough world
My sunny island is peppered with problems and elitism where lip services abound
I am hopeful that things will change but the change starts with me because I/we cannot change others
My annual resolutions had been shelved for years
In GOD i trusts

I live a day at a time

My resolution is to remain happy & healthy, comes whatever may

Until I Give Up, I Am Still In The Race

when I am drain dried, I ...

I never give up ~ never
But, if I decided that "enough is enough, I walk away" & fade into memory lane
The broken link is time tested and it is always the strongest link
Jealousy, selfishness, glory-stuffed and flip-flop decisions are most detrimental
Speaking the truth is no longer fashionable nor acceptable
Speaking pleasantries soothe the ears

I dislike dishonorable persons
I detest persons who have agreed to do something but did otherwise
Breaking promises and empty words are the scariest because it disrupt a planned outcome
The uncertainty is introduced
The damages to reputations, preferred solutions and honour are unmendable
More often than not, the bystanders and innocents are hurt

I do not seek glory
I care & share
The worst that can happen is when I give and I realise that I had been tricked in giving, i lost faith
My lost is not monetary but faith in humankind
The theft of honor will prevent me from further contributing to alleviating others difficulties
I am no angel and can recoil back into the safety of my humble abode

Society suffers because of selfish & self-grabbing persons
Power, money and fame ~ are all finite and cannot be brought along into your afterlife
But, the glory and fame is so irresistable
Animals kill for food but humankind can 'kill for fun'
It is not insanity but greed, power, fame and money that kill
Even the religious practitioners are not immune to temptations

It is through the fear of GOD that mankind will repent

Living and being alive meant suffering
All religions preach the need to help your fellowmen overcome sufferings
But, alas, the Church, the Temple, the Synagogue, the Houses of God are ridden with/by rogues
Human will self-destruct when 10% of the richest controls 80% of global wealth
The rich cannot live in a 'sea of poors'
Slaves do not rebel; they undermine the very support of Society

The world will lasts longer if everyone cares to "care & share"
No man's an island
The richest can buy many things but not everything
The grains & food are the domains of the traders
Without the (poor) labourers, handymen and farmers, the fields are barren
Money cannot by anything if nothing is produced

I have faith in humanity but I have greater Faith with GOD

I do not give up but repeated betrayals forced me to be extremely careful
Similarly, repeated failures also dampen my resolve and motivation
From time to time, I need to wriggle into my shell to hibernate
To recuperate & return ready, fighting fit and more prepared to destroy; to fight fire with fire
I am not weak but sincere, humble and forgiving
When I hit back, I fight to win

Either I walk through the baptism of fire or I walk away with indifference

I do not give up; I give away
So long as I am in the race, nothing can stop me
I am the incurable optimist 

The Broken Clock Is Right Twice A Day

mistakes & lies repeat long enough ...

The world is getting harder to comprehend and trust as illusions reign
Multi-media circulate doctored views, outright fake news and lies that looked decidedly real
Robotics and AI have revolutionize work ethics, approaches and increasingly built self-centredness
The manifestation of unreal into reality albeit fake is building distrust, disbelief and conflict
Fake & dishonorable intents are dressed-up with impunity and delivered as 'good' promise

The world is fast changing; time is compact and the velocity of change multiplied
When you least expect it, it happens ~ for the better or worse
The world is indeed made smaller by the speed news travel
The Las Vegas shooting: did one man single-handedly killed so many from the distance? Puzzled 
Most terrorists attacks are said to be ISIS-linked but could these attackers be insane? Probably

Since Mankind, rogue leaders find reasons to justify their actions
So are clairvoyants, fortune tellers and selfish & self-centred leaders
Leaders are born and so he shalt rise to lead in any crisis
Charlatans, charading as leaders, are the parasites of Society
Their strategy is "promise you some before winning & give you a little more before asking again"

Don't blame others if you leave your Destiny in another's hands

 

Statistically, party members are small compared to the total population
China ~ The Chinese Communist Party reached 82.6 million members in 2011, making it the world’s largest political party. This represents 6.13 percent of the Chinese population.
UK ~ As of June 2017, Labour had 552,000 members and the Liberal Democrats had 102,000 members as of May 2017. As of August 2017 the SNP had 118,000 members.

It is a global phenomenon
Then, why can citizens be held hostage to the demands of Political Parties?  
Indifference; throw in Divide & Rule & their Fate is sealed     
Any political party(ies) just need to convince the electorates their "Promises"
Cumulative small changes shift mountains

The Broken Clock Is Right Twice A Day
A broken promise, when delivered nearer the D-day, clears many a doubters 
We cannot depend on Luck to win the day
An honest, dutiful approach to identifying solutions save the day
Providence is universal but should not be left to chances

If you do not care, then don't complain ~ The Broken Clock Is Right Twice A Day

Waiting for another to carry your burden is like trying to walk to your grave on your own upon death
You reap what you sow
There are NO bad leaders but bad electorates
Live by the sword and die by the sword
As some will complain, some benefit from bad decision

I am neutral
Alone, I break easily but I do sway in the wind in my 'harbour of hope'
Some day when the grand old oak tree collapsed, I will have more space
Like HOPEs, the seedling shalt grow again
Some day soon, change shalt come

Will The Stock Market Turn?

what goes up must come down vis versa ...it's only when

You can make 10 rounds but one bad round could wipe you out for good
Similarly, when the going is good, even fools make money
There is no easy money; you need to do homework
Many are not able to last a year of slowdown, bland and uneventful economy and a stagnant market
2017 has been a fairly positive year but there are still blood on the streets

Going forward, will the stockmarkets correct, see a sharp fall & rebound (fairly painless)
Or fall sharply, sprinkled with dead-cat bounces before sliding further (very painful)

History tells some story:

1977/8 ~ energy crisis - Yom Kimppur War/Iranian Revolution
1987/8 ~ stockmarket crisis - Black Monday
1997/8 ~ asia financial crisis - Asia muddled in debts/Currencies depreciated
2007/8 ~ financial crisis - Subprime mortgages/Lehman Brothers
Will 2017/18 escape the claws of 10-year cyclical movements of events

Money is the denominator of all crisis
Whilst wars, political changes and calamities are incidentals & magnify the impact
Human are sacrificed as blood bleeds and greed grabs
The problems were never resolved and 'the can is kick down the road'
Every crisis gets bigger than its predecessor

Looking at the charts (tracking the past) and the emotional imbalances & disturbances
The time is ripe
According to the Guardian (Jan 2017), the world's eight richest people have same wealth as poorest 50%, that is, they are worth $426bn (£350bn), equivalent to the wealth of 3.6 billion people.
Problems like US/NATO & Russia/China military gamesmanship, religious-centric refugees, shifting political partisanship, food scare and reappearences of olde diseases  are just manifestations of inadequacy, injustice, elitism, greed and suppression.

The next crisis is near - November & December 2017 is not far away
It's not 'will it happen but when'

All are not 'Doom & Gloom' but this time, it will take a much longer time to recover
Is 18 months too long? No, it is the sufferings by the seconds that is
Cash is King
Gold is a more reliable currency
Good LUCK


Note

How did the war end the Great Depression?

The Depression was actually ended, and prosperity restored, by the sharp reductions in spending, taxes and regulation at the end of World War II, exactly contrary to the analysis of Keynesian so-called economists. True, unemployment did decline at the start of World War II.Nov 30, 2013

Indices (23/10/2018)

DJIA 23,328.63
S&P 500 2,575.21
Nasdaq 6,629.05
STIC 3,347.02

World Indices (from shareinvestors.com)

Name	Last	Change
Nasdaq	6,629.1	24.0
HSI	28,321.9	-165.3
HSCEI	11,484.0	-74.4
Jakarta	5,958.5	28.9
Nikkei 225	21,658.3	200.6
SSE Comp	3,381.4	2.7
Shanghai A	3,541.1	2.8
Shanghai B	352.9	0.0
ShenZhen A	2,095.9	4.4
ShenZhen B	1,204.8	-1.4
Taiwan W	10,754.1	25.2
PSE Comp	0.0
KOSPI	2,486.4	-3.1
FTSE 250	20,146.9	+15.4

My Winning Combinations

picking up again...


Rest if you must but never quit
Quitters are losers
Persevere ; you will make it
Have faith; GOD willing, you will succeed
When to going is tough, the tough keeps going
Lovely phrases but the person going through it is showing signs of 'drowning' & hopelessness


Nobody wants to give up if he can sustain
Everyone is waiting for that nice break ~ sometimes, that looks like a distant possibility
Unfortunately, what breaks you is not the toughest but 'the last straw' is the lighetest ~ the lightness You can defeat the biggest bully, return from the worse setback but if your spirit is down, it's the end 
No amount of tough talks nor motivation can save a drowning Soul
Try as you may, sometimes it is flogging a dead horse

If GOD helps those who help themselves
Does it mean GOD is redundant? Perhaps...
If we have full faith with GOD yet when failures knock, many say 'everything happens for a reason'
The only reason is "there is no GOD"
GOD is only an invincible hope & comfort for the failures
Try talking to the successful ones; like you, he has never seen GOD

To rebuild or to build our future according to our goals is to plough on 'blindly but steadfastly'
Getting your intended target is 'success' & missing is a norm
There are no permanent doomsday nor victory parade; pass this moment, life is back to normal
Frustration, disappointment and disillusionment are due to expectations
Move ahead; just do it ... expects little and all shall be sugar, spice and everything nice
Victory or defeat is just that moment ~ & all shalt pass

Successful people also face defeats
Steve Jobs, Guo WenGui, Wang JianLin, George Yeo, Anwar Ibrahim, Jerry Yang...
The larger the gamemanship, the higher the stakes, the greater the defeat: No "IFs", No "BUTs"
Rebuilding is tougher than building as the sweetness of yesteryears turned bitter
When Man is non-emotional yet steadfast, he conquers all
No fear is greater than fearless 心有多大 舞台就多大

I fear nothing for I came naked and shalt return naked
Though, I must say I do have some emotional baggage
Above all, I know I am finite
I pass through this way but once
I shall live to the fullest and I'm aware no two moments are the same
I live NOW & I live well ~ some sugar, spice and most things nice

Defeats, disappointments, frustrations come & go 没有做不到的事 只是还没想到

I was down... I maybe down ~ but I shall return

Win ~ I Shall

Hello October, Goodbye September

the October feeling of reeling into wintry weather...

Life is full of surprises but winners may not necessarily be the best person
The fakes, the schemers, the conmen...
Any man can make mistakes but only an idiot persists in his error
Yet, the idiot wins
Almost everyone is born a genius but dies an idiot
The smartness somehow eludes the smartie and he dies a pauper

There is nothing more dangerous than a resourceful idiot
It's worse if he is a politician
He will cut corners, divide and rule, speak the untruths without blinking an eye
History has many ...alas!

Talent is a flame
Genius is the fire
A spark to glory manifest into sustainable victory
There is no genius without some touch of madness
Dare to be different & leaves the groupthink
No two ideas are similar and the first mover has advantage


If you choose bad companions, no one will believe that you are anything but bad yourself
- Aesop, Aesop's Fables 
Do not succumb to pressure to act and be 'one of the Jones'
Cut the coat according to your cloth
Time is the best friend and your achievements come over time
You cant have sex with 9 women & have a baby in 1 day ~ Law of Nature
 

A bad friend is is worse than an enemy, an enemy you can see and avoid, but to detect an insincere friend is hard - Bangambiki Habyarimana, The Great Pearl of Wisdom 

Acquaintances are not friends; they merely pass by
When you are down, the real friends surface but they are far and few
A bad friend secretly plots your downfall - Bangambiki Habyarimana, Book of Wisdom 
However close to you, where money comes between friends, money dictates the outcome
Trust is delicate 
Be yourself

Strangely, friends almost always leave you at your most critical moments
Hearts are broken, relationship stops
You are on your own in this world when all leaves and the wintry chills blow
You arrive alone and naked & this is the paradox of life; you are always on your own
Your friends are here to share your glory, fame and monies

Fake friends are like shadows: always near you at your brightest moments, but nowhere to be seen at your darkest hour True friends are like stars, you don't always see them but they are always there.

Habeeb Akande

Any man can make mistakes, but only an idiot persists in his error.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/idiot.html

Any man can make mistakes, but only an idiot persists in his error.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/idiot.html

Fear

loneliness, losing and dying are the biggest fear...

Nothing lasts forever & everything shall comes to an end
If not now, sometime soon
But, why is losing something dear terribly scaring? It's the bondage
We grew use to it and become unduly comfortable
Taking away the norm, the usual, the comfort is fear in itself

When you are poor and hungry, you can hunt and find food
When you have a roof over your head and a family to care for, your stakes increase
When you are rich, famous, powerful & had achieved success, dying becomes a challenge
You are bonded by your desires and earthly needs, the thought of losing all is life threatening

Strangely, when you are alone, you are not lonely
When you bathe in good company & enjoy companionship, life becomes lonely when one departs
The belongings, the longings, the togetherness breed contempt
Bonds and bondages make human/men dependent
If you can give up your earthly wants, you would have achieved half-enlightenment

Fear incapacitates

Empty is not void
Alone is not loneliness

Fear not
Everything is finite
Some day, some time; everything ends
Most importantly, live life to the fullest

Being Useful & Being Used

being useful and being used ...

In this worldly mix of people, being useful is value-add and being used is an abuse
I’m not a backup plan, and definitely not a second choice.
People make use of you, not unlike a photocopy machine
When your value disappears & usefulness evaporates, you're discarded
There is no sympathy

What's worse than being used? Being lied to...
The worst feeling in the world is to know you were used and lied to by someone you trusted
Men are sacrificed like lambs when selfish agendas rise
The smiley tiger eats everyone alive when need be
Retribution is a word just to console

Money is a dirty word but necessity 有钱不是万能 没钱万万不能
A ugly man with money often has his arm a beautiful lady who is willing to spend it
Money certainly do wonders
Men slogged for rewards however scarce to put three square meals on the table
There are no fools but stupidity has no cures

When you help someone and were being used, it's a lesson
When you repeatedly help in the hope that the situation will change, you're an idiot
Fooling yourself that you can change him &/or the world is the biggest absurdity
A fool is born everyday
Mutual use equals mutual abuse

However, a knowledgeable, enthusiastic and industrious person is useful
His usefulness sharpens when he helps the less privilege, needy and the weaker lots
He is a doer and a leader; a man with a cause
He does not deprive the weak and less able but manifest a union of positives
The world shalt be turned into winnings and savings, not exploitations

The marriage of convenience of 'fakes' with 'charlatans' ensnare long term destruction

No country survives long enough with fakes and propagandas
As the moon, the sun and the truths shalt ultimately surface
Worshiping 'the Cons, the false leaders & prophets' for short term gain is common
The selfish and greedy shall pay for it dearly, including destruction of their land of births
Some day, some how; all sufferings stop

Infamy is not fame   

Cowards, cronies & proxies are being used in the blind hope of a better tomorrow
You only 'live once'; remember, live well and fully
Do not plant the roots of destruction for your offsprings to suffer
Today's faults is tomorrow sufferings
Do it right, do it good & do it without having to worry about tomorrow's ill-effects 

You arrived crying & naked & you shalt return clothed whilst others cry
Death the leveller

Anger & Danger

anger is bad for health...

Anger hurts the liver & causes troubles; some are irreparable
Anger destroys and is a moment of folly
Holding on to anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die ~ Buddha
Sometimes, we do not know why we get work-up but the truth is 'the powder keg' bursts
When you tolerate too long, stomach the punches & nuisances... alas, it cracks
It is best to speak out in a cool, calm manner than to swallow the sorrows

My vision of good health is to clear everyday's problem
If you can resolve it, resolves it
If and when you can solve it, you have a choice to pursue the perpetrator or forget it thereafter
There is no need to bottle up
Some day, some how... when you look back, it's such a relieve

The bitterness of revenge will leave sour taste in your mouth
The sweetest revenge is victory over your adversaries
The slippery vengeance is clouding your mind and bars you from any positive outcome
Let go and lightens the heart
There is no victory in destruction

Walking away from anger is like walking away from Hell
You either hurt another or be hurt
Both end up losers, no smarter nor wiser
If pain and suffering is the reward, anger is the cause
Get up, get going...loosen up and everything gets better

I have deliberately move away from unfriendly, aggressive provocateurs  
They are sure and sore losers; bringing you down is their satisfaction
I may loss a little, suffer some dents but anything that doesn't kills lead to progress
Clear the mind of sorrows, anger and live in peace & progress
The next time, you are about to burst out with a ... punch, curse, profanities

Take a deep breathe, count to 10, then speak

 There is no reward for anger

Help...Help Others

a little help goes a long way...

A drop of water saves the life of a dehydrated man
A timely infusion of blood saves a near dying man whose blood's oozing
You cannot save the drowning man if you cannot swim
You can barely do charity to benefit others if you cannot even fill in 3-square meals for yourself

I was at a hospital canteen ordering food and a young doctor was trying to pay with her prepaid card but she had insufficient funds
I paid for mine and as well as hers, simply because I thought her time will be better spent saving lives than to worry or wait for her colleagues to bring money; just a thought
I have seen elderly and able-bodied persons begging for a couple of dollars at food centres
Typically, I don't give money but offer to buy them food and/or drinks there & then
However tough life is, a satisficing meal goes a long way

Being able to help others is a blessing

If and when you need help, sometimes it could be very trying
Worse if you cannot share nor seek help
That's when the world closes its doors
Painting oneself to a corner ~ desperate times require desperate measures
If all else fails, reboot, restart and remain calm 走回上记

So long as you are alive and breathing, there is always a chance to turn around
Keep going
Take baby steps
You goal may be far but soon, soon enough, you shall arrive
When the chips are down, lie low ...

Winning is everything 胜者为王
But, not all winners are the best
Perseverance and fluidity win ~ use your brain
The world loves a winner

Help if you can
But, if you cant or refuse to, please do not make it any worse

Surviving The Tough Times

work a little, work to survive...

Time is bad but like day and night, it shall pass
Tough time dont last, tough people do
I ran cross country in my school days and I knew I just need to pace the front runners
I need to keep up and slow down if I must but never quit
In my second run, we came in Champion; not because we can but because we paced each other
That's "Motivation & teamwork"; I suddenly discover I need the same in my (current) life

I am struggling and many of my days were darker than I can handle
Everything seems an obstacle; it simply fails
The zest, perseverance, the positives...were all maxed out
Either you give up or you sink further and deeper
I did neither; I just stare into time ~ stagnating time
Not doing anything is also a solution

As time passes, dawn breaks, day brighten
Tough, rough but it shall
Sometimes, the sky opens up & pours
I take that as showers of blessings
The wetness cools the Soul
I know I shall return to glory...sometime soon

Those who made it will always encourage you to continue and be patient; your day shall come
Asked Bill Gates, Jack Ma, your Ministers, the multimillionaires ...your day shall come said they
I believe too
It will be lighter if I can say the same ~ isn't that an irony of life
The "HAVEs" advise the "HAVE NOTs" ~ the Champion encourages his competitors
Keep going and do not listen to doomsayers

Whatever don't kill you, makes you better

More importantly, stay alive and keep going
Dead man tells no tales
When you are not around, you cannot savor the best meals nor breathe the freshest air
Do not wait for sympathy as our crowded 7billion +planet has more evils than you can think of
Go with the flow
Some day, some where, some how ...you will arrive

GOD willing, I will succeed

The Days We Were

the dignity of living is affected by ...

When the country was founded and growing up, the educated plot the strategy, the master builders build, the white-collars administer and the ladies 'man' the house
There were pains, sufferings, difficulties but all were overcame with sweat and smiles
Rewards were equitably distributed and the lame, less-abled & less fortunate were taken cared of
Many moved ahead, prospered and ploughed back
Backbreaking jobs were carried out where machines were scarce
Jobs were aplenty and income disparity were present but the gini-coefficient was narrow

Care and share were bathe with sweat and smile
'Nobody will be left behind' was a working motto and the system cared for the economically disabled
Housing was built for all as the promise of 'a roof over your head' was sowed and reaped
The Executive, the Mid-Class, the Working Class and the peasants were in the same boat
Regardless of race, language or religion
Base on justice and equality ~ meritocracy even out the social ladder

When politicians fight for a cause, the Nation prosper

Those were the days...

Rewards for efforts flourished and academic excellence smoothened the climb out of social poverty

Comradeship was built through societal care

Everyone and every efforts are recognized, however small

Leaders lead by examples and commoners took sacrifices and gave way the greater good

The future was planned; from labor intensive to capital intensive to value-add

High technology and high finance flamed the growth as pools of local were trained to fill the jobs

The citizens were uniformly identified as Singaporean ~ Chinese, Malay, Indian, Eurasian, others...

Motivation - Reward - https://youtu.be/6eoBqiJPb1o 

When you pay enough, they work
When you pay enough plus incentives rewards, they work better and use initiatives
When you pay luxuriously, they ringfenced their positions, delegate responsibilities and needn't work

Nobody will rock their own boat and be replaced
Every other races and nationalities will bring in those of their own types and hides and replace locals
For each his own ~ the economic refugees will empty the coffers, burn the Cos and leave the country
Few will take residence
Few to nil invaders live to build your country ~ economic locusts and termites simply destroy

Unless Singaporeans revert back to protecting Singaporeans' interests and livelihoods, displacement, enforced retirement and unemployment will be the norm

Those were the days

Do, Don't Do Or "Wait For The Appropriate Moment"

getting into the act of actioning ...

Many times, we procrastinate and time flies
Then, we bemoan the waste of time listlessly
But, if we had rushed to action it, that could be the least appropriate or uneventful time
Doing for the sake of doing is a waste of resources
No attention should be expended on wasteful commitments

There is a time for everything, including idle time

Baby is 'demanding' time; cry and your milk shall arrives
Growing up is 'freedom' time; free from economics obligations
Graduation is 'working' time; finding income through acquired skills
Family is 'commitment' time; commit every resources ~ the hunter got to hunt to place 3 square meals
Twilight is 'retirement' time; looking back and count your blessings or grumble about wastefulness

Time is toughest when ~
Where the heart is ready but the physique is weak
Where working to feed oneself is a necessity & not a choice
Where falling sick and feeling tired is no more a choice
When dying is not a given 活生生的 不是生活

Time is sweetest when ~
You are in love or think you in love
Where everything you want materializes
Where finance, health and wishes flow
The ocean is green, the sky is full and the bank account is filled
Birds sing and everywhere is clean, green and nice

But, everyone passes daily with norm and much ease
However much, the pains remain, the happiness enjoyed, the laughters shared ...but mundaneness rule
This is our routine
Nobody rocks the boat even when costs of living overwhelms and breathing is living
How easily it is to satisfy mankind? The elites lord over the commoners
Guess, you take a spark to start a fire

Many struggle under pressure; the need to live in dignity
There is no fairness in the Land with one Law book but Dual practices
Discrimination and persecution underlies the 'rule of Law' where privilege recuse one from the Book
The social ladder is encrypted where only the chosen ones can climb
Such are the dose of anarchy waiting to implode
A society without pressure-release valve is the ideal 'ground zero'  

Nobody wants nor plans for anarchy
 
The briefest ideal is constant, uninterrupted, simple living ~ food, water & roof over the head
Humankind must not be deprived of the basics ~ the right to live with dignity
The chance to succeed in their dreams are additional bonuses
Some day, some where ...a King is born
This is the silver lining in every clouds

Do, Don't Do Or "Wait For The Appropriate Moment"
If it is true that there is time for everything, then let the next time be sugar, spice and everything nice
When forced to the wall, many/all will fight back
Live and let live ~ spare the little such that harmony can be prolonged
No rich man can live in a sea of poor

Similarly, everyone is seeking a humble, dignified life

The world has no fools, stupid perhaps
Someday, some how; all truths surface
Do ~ the right things, not necessarily the best
Don't do ~ do not push everyone to the wall : an action will cause a reaction
Wait For The Appropriate Moment ~ alas! who determines this blissful moment? God knows

So long as we breathe, there is a true moment

Change 改变

change is the only constant...

How do you change after 30 years, 50 years, 60 years? Typically, its circumstances
Forced changes are circumstantial, seldom volunteered
Forced changes maybe due to bankruptcy, broken relationships, business disagreements, family frictions..
It is always more painful when forced upon
Needless to say, volunteered changes are sweet, spice and everything nice

Many smoke and drink until health forbids
Some party like there are no tomorrows until their wallet breaks
Habits are second nature
To change is almost impossible
But, when threats & death come a-calling, change is a definite

Whoever says change is impossible

Change yourself, your attitude & the world changes with you
You cannot change others, not even your dearest
Also, sacrifice nought in attempting to change others ~ it is an illusion
Never, never try changing the world

When I was young, I was righteous, helped the weak, defended 'turfs' and fought for rights but, alas, swimming against the tides is impossible
Nobody, will lift a hand to evoke change

Everyone has a weakness; drinks, friends, food, games
When you are deeply entrenched, it is almost impossible to extricate yourself out of it
It is called "habit"
When money is scarce (parts), habits change too
No money, no honey

We all endeavor for a better tomorrow, be distinguished and polished yet 'wealthy' enough to afford the basics plus the classics

Nobody changes for the worse, I opined
But, if that's true, we will all be living in Utopia
If everyone pollutes the Earth (the oceans are filled with plastic bags & such)
Someday, the whole ecosystem collapses and we will bear our own witness
How can we ever change others to make the world, Mother Earth, better? Impossible
It is always 'his problem'

Someday, Earth will be so badly damaged that you will have to change to survive

Will you do it now? YES... it's no more a choice
Let us make the world a better place to live
For a start, let us make Singapore a better place with the restoration of our "Pledge"
The rich cannot not live in a sea of poor; change or be changed? The choice is obvious

Waiting 等

time and tides wait for no man...

Wait, waiting ... 等
The game of waiting is not just patience but stressful
Waiting for exams results, waiting for approval, waiting for recovery.. waiting simply kills
Why wait when you can force the issue? The fact is, many issues cannot be forced; fight or flight
A simple act like 'waiting for the phone to ring' is painfully stressful

Why wait when a simple dial can cease the 'sufferings'? Ego, pride, challenge...alas! who blinks first
Being the initiator portray weaknesses, show submission or simply 'give up' but life can be smoother
Human chooses to cringe, siege and challenge non-event ; the display of intimate illusive prowess
Instead of going with the flow, many choose to 'pick bones 鸡蛋里挑石头'
Living is suffering, so they say! But, I am sure sufferings are self-inflicted

Hold on 等 ~ patience
It is good to be patient as a moment of rush could result in the collapse of ideals built over time
But, waiting can be frustrating albeit necessary
When the butterfly crawls out of the pupa, it takes a while for its wings to dry before it flies
If you attempt to assist to break open the pupa, the butterfly's wings will be damaged and its condemned - unable to fly and disabled for life 

Acting on frustration is a moment of folly
Getting even is better than getting mad
Patience is the 'art of being able and willing to wait blankly'
Waiting is the 'art of exercising patience aimlessly'
While the world moves on, we make an informed choice

I dont believe in waiting; I keep on exploring, ploughing, experimenting, trying ...
It can be frustrating and stressful though
But, if I do nothing, the impending result may also be nothing
That is why I admire those who can sit there ...waiting 发呆
Life is filled with choices: "Do, Don't Do, Do Nothing"

Time is finite
Life is impermanent
Whatever fits

Stress Or Peace

stress... stress... stressed out

The perfectionist is the perfect candidate for blood disorder, heart problems and high blood pressure
He wants 1+1 = 2, no more, no less
'Dysfunctional', 'synergy' and 'abnormal' are never in his vocabulary
Perfectionist also prefer fairly fix way of doing things, fixing things and storing them
Any abrupt changes will leave him disoriented; there is no room for "IFs & BUTs"
But, some do thrive in chaos

Any time is the perfect time 

I have been unduly stressed up, not by too much pressure but too much distractions
The incessant complaints of minute issues
The scheming of low-bar achievements by lowly people
The discourse over provision of too much or too little food when it's a miserly intent
Alas! Money is made or earned to buy necessities, not leave in the bank
What good does 钱在银行 人在天堂 money gives when you are dead & gone

We eat to live and not live to eat; every effort spent will return bountifully in due course
You cannot plant papaya seeds and expect to harvest durians 种豆得豆 种果得果 
There are NO free meals
Karma dish out what was sowed
Just do your best, develop the grounds by imbuing more knowledge and skillsets
Network, like spiderweb, will leads you where bridges bridge opportunities

Buying insurances are great but nothing beats training and building up a team of talents who  would someday excel & return to lead and repay their patriarchy guardian; dutifulness

Is Society cracking up or had cracked? Indeed, it's been for each himself
The elite grab all with crumbs sprinkled to feed the mass
No rich man can live with a sea of poor
The days of change, if delayed, will come suddenly & violently
Only compassion, care & share may safe the day of reckoning; it need not be catastrophic
If Man turns around & repent, the world will be a better place 人性本善

No civilization nor country can live long enough to prosper if there are internal disquietness
No country will last if the leaders are corrupt, corruptible and selfish
There are no living poor nor rich as none find lasting peace when lives become a struggle
Getting even is better than getting mad though both destroys
Let the commoner live their restful, undemanding and daily lives
The rich and powerful may top-slice but when the bottom are hungry, anarchy rises

I wanna move away from the fame, glorious, tortuous and inequitable society
Peace and parity transcends all material 'lusts'
I'd live like in Heaven on Earth that to awaits the Heaven that is promised
Hell!!! There is no Hell below; some are already in Living Hell

I shalt exit into the forest to find PEACE

MAY - May The Grace Be With You

may life be smooth...

Life is never difficult if there is nil expectation
Nothing to expect, nothing wanting, no needs ...comes whatever may
Babies arrived crying but when people dies, others cry
Before babies know and imbue the complications of humans, they just eat, eat, eat and grow
There was never a day you need to ask for food

Babies are lovely; many say
Eat, sleep, shit & put on a great smile with chuckles
They simply smell nice
The natural self
Yes; lovely only when they don't cry & howl indiscriminately

The 5th month is May where the stock markets swing up & many sing "Sell in May & go away"

We get disillusioned when our hopes hollow-out and our efforts go unrewarded
'Failure is the mother of success' or so they say
Tell that to the beggars and those still struggling
The world loves a Winner & winner will always encourage & inspire you to move forward
Good words and acts fall like stones into the ocean to a discouraged person

Many people crave for limelight and credits
They scheme and plot to seize power and fame but ...alas!! Not all are Putin
They will pretend to be do-gooders, kind hearted and helpful but will not hesitate to shove the sword through your neck
There is no mercy in war ~ a war to gain fame, fortune and status
Man proposes and God disposes

When your luck is down, lie low, keep your cash/assets and do not run around like a headless chicken
The fool and his money shall soon part
However, good information and analysis you've done
The timing is almost always incorrect
Just when you dump, get out, cut loss, gives up ...the tides turn

Fate is patience but few live to gain Fate's rewards

There are only dead heroes
Whatever you do, do with a heart, without fear or favor and without looking for rewards
Tomorrows are never promised
The closest thing in this world to everyone of us is "Death" because it's sure and can happen anytime
Whatever is most distant from us is "the Past"; it will never return

Live well and live your best
Cherish those closest to you and value your friends
Someday ...soon
All shalt pass
GOD willing, everyday shalt be seamless and smooth

When Good Fortune Becomes Nightmare

enjoy & build up your fortunes...


Fortunes: Some are born with it, some built it whilst some inherit it
The first 50 years, you rely on whatever you inherit or built
The next 50 years, you either had build goodwill & done merits to grow your fortunes or it's all gone
Never curse yourself nor speak ill of oneself
Never, never turn away goodwill, compliments, blessings and well-intentioned gifts


I have heard my friend's wife said "I'd rather he (hubby) doesn't prosper than he leaves me"; they went on to live reasonably comfortable in a 3-room HDB but the wife was forever asking her hubby to buy condos and private property. He never did!
Her wish was granted. Many years later, they divorced
Beware of what you wished for...

Positive begets positive; good begets better & turn it into best

Why wallow in self-pity & misery when 生老病死 living is a journey? Take whatever comes
When others throw shit at you or draw you into the shit-hole, clean up and walk away
You may have a whiff of stink but it will never stay
It is a mistake to be entrapped once but more than once, you are a Fool
Surround yourself with fools and you're likely to be one too

You cannot fly like an eagle if you work with turkeys

You can laugh at the undertaker, but you'd never get a chance to bargain with him the price of his services
You can belittle the coffeeshop assistant, but he sells you a cup of boil water for $0.30
You laugh at the dirty mechanic repairing your Farrari but he charged you $8000 for parts that he would only charge $2000 for a Nissan
No man is too great, too tall nor too mighty; someday GOD will descend on him

Karma don't have a menu; it's served as you've ordered

Why ask for troubles when there is none鸡蛋里挑骨头? Don't trouble trouble and trouble wouldn't trouble you
What good do you get by cursing your loved ones and yourself? Only regrets await you when reality visits
A moment of foolishness could turn into a lifetime of nightmares

Live well and stay healthy
Rest if you must but never quit
Someday, the garden shall flower again

LUCK & Being Luky

LUCK is the grease of life & living...


Theresa May triggers Brexit by signing Article 50; the process starts
Surely, UK will return stronger as she restructures, reconstruct and  reposition the City
The Empire of the Sun that never sets is finally about to regain her past glory instead of living in the shadows of Germany & France under EU
The financial centre of Europe will elude the others and return to the City


Make America Great Again - well; Trump has just done that!
At least, the US$ strengthens and DowJones Index & S&P 500 broke through multi year resistance
Top up with several large MNCs investing billions dollars in US
His anti-immigration stance is largely popular but faced resistance from new citizens
With a cracked-Euro$, US$ reigns again & confidence regained


Hard work pays & so they say. Never...
Bear with it & they preach. That's because the pain is not with them
Create awareness by raising prices. Damn it. Didn't they do it through the years of education? Umm
The tendency to suppress and make the masses submissive is an animal instinct
But, Man proposes, GOD disposes


Survival of the fittest doesn't mean the weaker ones will die
Like the blade of grass that danced in the storm and the toppled grand oak tree
Worms are food for birds as bird carcasses are food for the worms
The lion king is food for the hyenas when he is old and ill
The world will never be equal; get use to it


I am waiting for my lucky break 天时地利人和
I have worked very hard, used initiatives and have been very patience
But, LUCK beats everything - a tinge can change black into white

Commerce is cannibalized by e-commerce
Snailmail died with email
Stenography disappeared with the advent of recorder
Being ahead of technology is being ahead of time
Though genius aplenty, few made it


I live my best, make the best of what I have & leave the rest


When I'm down, I lie low & I accept that "Winner takes All", admitting defeat is not in my blood
I'd hibernate, learn from the better and stronger, recuperate and return READY
I train my mind to accept fresh ideas and be bold
When my turn comes, I shall shine again

No two person are born the same
Even if so, no two person will end the same
If there's Fate, I wanna be the Decider

不怕命坏 只要命在 ~ 活的辛苦但心不能苦

MARCHing Forward

time and tides wait for no man...


This was two years back 拜天公 Even the Rooster Lunar 1st month is over
We are in the end month of first quarter 2017 ~  March                                      
There were simply too much changes
I am still waiting for my 'pot of gold' although much efforts have been expended
There is only "hope" left
Between 'Luck' and 'Smartness', I'd prefer Luck
Everything is a breeze when one is LUCKY

My big break was in 2007 ~ a good ten years ago

Now, I am looking at my 'bucket-list'
Is this why when the list is completed, we 'kick the bucket'? Omigosh, the power of English language
I wanna do so much in so...little time left
Emotional disquietness is the greatest disturbance
At most time, the 'mind is willing but the body is weak'
There is no loss in material searches; contentment is the key & peace is the dividend
Money can buy you many things but nobody can suffer pain nor fall ill on your behalf

To many, they're entering old age but I'm entering middle age
Mid-50s is the great dawn of the 'Second Wind' ~ little baggage, plentiful of leeway, fully powered
Whether you're young or old, being & standing stagnant is trapped in life motor ~ immobile
The choice is clear
Do it now or you may never... never at all
Life is finite
Today & still breathing is the best day

Whether you are static, frantic or indifferent, time flies
I have lost a few friends & relatives over time and only their memories linger
You will do well to do all that you wanted to do before time overruns you
There is so little time left, I thought but NO, time is only as good as you're alive
Get started now
Go chase and do all that you wanted to before your physique fails you
God willing, I will succeed ... in time to come ... soon

2017 & Forward

...trying periods need extraordinary minds and thinkinghats



As at Midday 20/2/2017

KLCI          1711
SSE             3229
JCI              5366
HSI             24116
N225           19234
DJIA           20624
Nasdaq        5838
S&P500       2351
SSE Comp   3229
STIC            3104


Written and expressed on 1/11/2016

"...CASH is King ~ for the time being

Between now and the next 6-8months, cash/money rules and can buy plentiful more units per dollar as recession and declines cut deeper. Government will practice 'zero-sum' growth & milk their people for more funding via increased taxes to fund expansionary policies. This is not sustainable and will crash in due course triggering a panic and the loosening of contractionary policies. The last sell-down will be substantial...this is manifested by protectionism, debts due and lack of loans/credit.

Short term growth from the lows, aka sell down, will lead to a rebound by mid-2017. Governments, the world over, will pass the blame of economic collapse to past policies and global economic weaknesses.

Gold will shine in an uncertain currency crisis.

Selective 'Buy/equities' in 1Q/2017 sell-down with a view to exit post August/September. Traders are discouraged from taking excessive risks.


Be prepared to cash out and rest as 2017 draws toward the close ..."

Looking forward 

We have seen stock markets galloping & US$ strengthening ahead with Trump's unique, non-stereotypical approaches with past Presidents. What were unnerving were his 'announcement' via twitter!

The world over is getting over their apprehension of President Trump 'shooting from his twitter' and are getting used to a vastly different approach. His first 100-days will change the face of old policy making methods and his business-style of running politics will give it a commerce-push.

It's left to be seen what can come out of this but the financial markets had read ahead of it ~ BULLISH

Let's look at this from the business angle:

1st 3 months ~ Trump negotiate favourably for & on behalf of the American people

2nd 3 months ~ Market take a bumper leap forward as goodies were factored in

3rd 3 months ~ Expectations exceed executions and promises and high-seas drama catches up against better economic judgement. 

With military gamesmanship and little headway made in economic promises, protectionism sets in and talks stalled. Distrust sets in...

Final quarter ~ when all goodwill are expended, conflicts and protectionism raise their ugly heads. 

Europe is also muddled with economic setbacks and chaos due to distrust, re-negotiations and a less united but more expensive NATO. A divided & disgruntled globalisation is terminal for trades.

Oil will remain range bound between $40-70.

Conclusion

There are opportunities in a/any crisis 危机

Do your homework and invest wisely. 

Being nimble footed is an added strength. 

Choose the right industry (-ies) as the sun will set on some brick and mortar commerce

Investing is not a weak-hearted game

If your investment horizon is more than 3 years, guess you are fine

**Singapore has her fair share of doubts but if our forward plans are indeed longer term, with a willingness to kill the sacred cow, prosperity shall return.

**Using the same old solutions to existing problems without a will to break groupthink is the surest way to stagnation or diminishment.

**Every fools will make money in the upswing; it's the downswing that separate the man from the boys

Good Luck

Hopes & Hopeful

trying times need exceptional approaches...

The best things in life are free ~ if only we can live alone, away in solitude but not a recluse
There are times when I want to be alone, silent & in 'excommunicado'
Disappear into thin air & reappear in due course 闭关 ~ 闭关修炼
Running away from reality is an Art of Avoidance without upsetting the environment - Dao 道

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” ― Oscar Wilde

There are loads of complaints, disquietness and disgruntlements
When you give away your rights & empower another to act for you, you cannot complain much
A blank cheque policy is ~ your Fate in another's hand 放弃与依靠别人是最傻的本性
Why would you think others will act in your best interests? Dream on...

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” ― Mahatma Gandhi

Get away from those who ostracize you, 'talk you down' and thumb you down like a slave
Nobody owes you a living and you must stand tall & shine; be counted
How do you fly like eagles if you work with turkeys? I don't & rather live to fight another day
Dead man tell no tales 死了就没戏唱

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”  ― Eleanor Roosevelt, This is My Story

When it's everyone's problem, then it is "NO" more a problem
If the nuke is fired, none of us can get away & all will be enveloped in the globe of destruction
When disaster strikes, everyone within the radius of aftermath suffers
The world is, but, one ~ Providence is indeterminate ~ some will live and evolve

The Law of Nature will rebalance where necessary

In this trying time, let us not loss hope
Stay afloat until the tides return
Get rid of the rotten friends and hordes you have
Some day, some time ~ light shall return

February

It is the shortest month of the year as it is the only month to have a length of less than 30 days...

Does it make any difference whether you have 28 days or 31 days in a month? No
Many don't even know how many days they have in the whole year...not even tomorrow
Some didn't make it past today
Worse, most are struggling to put food on the table for the family & every day is a 'bonus'
It may be a hard day; but everyday, like sunrise & sunset, comes & goes

Go to a hospice or the Intensive Care Units and see & hear the 'pleads for a longer, healthier life'
All are thankful for awakening to a new day
The hate, the prejudices, the scheming, the regrets are buried with the dead; how many days were lost?
How depressively destructive these negative emotions were; not worth a seconds
Looking back and living well is but... in vain

Whether you are rich or poor, struggling with poverty or swinging with extravagances
Whether you are in high office or doing mundane work 
Time is finite
The urn and the burial site come in standard sizes that all of us return to... to rest after a tire journey
Time and tides wait for no man

February have 28 days and add one to 29th on a leap year
Even the month, February, have to take a leap to gain an extra day 
Shouldn't you put in extra efforts? Your success also need 'a leap of confidence'
So long as you are alive, the world is yours to conquer 心有多大 舞台就多大
Nothing is impossible; solutions take time to harness 没有做不到的事 只有还没想到

At this moment of writhing, I am struggling yet stuck
I am not hungry nor deprived but I had been betrayed... many times & all in a roll
It never pays to be helpful nor to 'bare all'; many are waiting to pounce on an honest, sincere man
Animals kill for food whereas human kill for fun
Ghosts are never as scary as human; the silent killer

I don't need many days to live; I need to live happily, healthily and qualitatively

February is the loveliest month
Short and sweet
Where Spring brings her wealth of colors; fruits, flowers, sun, birds, bees, butterflies...
Where the smell of Spring is alluringly soothing and overpowering
I am rejuvenated, refreshed, recharged ~ ready to conquer the world with my ideals   
I am cured

The days of struggle is over