The Tides Are Turning

 no expectations, no disappointments...

The common man has little to nil aspirations, preferring to get by with minimal disruptions 

Living hand to mouth isn't a problem; it's minimalist survival

What is most destructive is lockdown & restrictive movements during COVID

Worse, those non-vax or unable-to-vax (for whatever reasons, including medical) are 'controlled digits' & access and movements made more inconvenient  

Where is the respect for freedom of choice & citizen's rights? Afterall vax doesn't provide absolute immunity except it's less impactful if the virus strike? Relieve their burdens instead of dictating a "MUST" vax or...

Human are social animals; they need to move around, travel (tribes) & explore

The less expectations you have, the less disappointment you will get

Everything that you receive is a blessing as every bad event is a passing

COVID has made uncertainties more uncertain but many impossible(s), possible

The new normal will be eBase solutions, with minimal contacts

Human feels threatened when the unknown become widespread but are bent on control & domination when opportunities present

Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely

However, every political thoughts & practitioners start with an ideal - the desire to fight for equality, fairness, care & share with the downtroddens & less fortunate

Like many, I am apolitical

But, I believe in fairness, equality, respect, care & share, integrity and 'an honest day's work'

We are but a passing visitor on Earth & shalt leave when our obligations are done & delivered

I have no bitter aftertastes of being betrayed, set-up or ostracized, disappointed though

Well, Karma will visit & return to those who sowed 'destruction'

How far can stock markets rise? Will it collapse? Different markets perform differently ; it boils down to expectations

Wall Street has been rising for years & rebounded with every deep corrections; DJIA, S&P 500, Nasdaq are trading near all-time high    

Japan did not recover to surpass the all-time high (38,915 in December of 1989) before the collapsed in 1991; on February 15, 2021, the Nikkei average breached the 30,000 benchmark, its highest level in 30 years

The China Shanghai Composite Stock Market Index reached an all time high of 6124.04 in October of 2007; it's hovering around 3,528 points

The Hang Seng Index reached an all time high of 33484.08 in January of 2018. Today, it hung around 25,523

The Singapore STIndex reached an all time high of 3906.16 in October of 2007. As at current, it's trading at 3,099

The Thai stock market index made all-time high on the first trading day of 2018, closing at 1,778.53 points; today's index is 1,628

Noticeably, only the US stock market is trending at/near all time high, while the Asian-centric markets are still largely a distance away as stock markets are not homogeneous

Smart money finds save heaven & US has consistently proven itself to be an investment heaven

We are at end August, entering September ...the knacks of a market collapse (sharp swings), typically Sep/Oct period, is heightened

Take you winnings early before being windswept away

A healthy stock market is a good indicator of prosperity ... we/all know Asia didn't enjoy much prosperity lately

The tides are turning

The erratic environment, bathe with mutant virus spread, is putting a stop to social & economic activities but all shall pass in due course

There is nothing to celebrate now but it pays to stay alive & healthy as good days are around the corner

For Yourself, By Yourself

slow down in uncertainty & enjoy the view...

Man sets dateline and milestone to accomplish goals, often chasing his goals at the expense of his health

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished - Lao Tzu

There is a time for everything but Man seeks to expedite his achievements at any costs

天时地利人和 there is an opportune time where the dream crystalizes

Lockdowns, closing of international borders, clipping the wings of aeroplanes, ports closure... almost total paralysis of the global system

Man are caged in for their own safety and the ecosystem cleans up

Nature reclaim her prominence and bloom

Man should live simply and not hoard resources by eliminating non-essentials

If you buy what you don't need, someday you will discover that you cannot exchange them for what you need

The rush to achieve & display of 'wealth & achievements' are vanity, not wisdom

Our need to prove to others is our achilles heel & a vain temptation

I have been looking at how to slow down my life? But, now, I realized it's not the slowing down that creates frustration and disruption. It's my desire to achieve & prove to "the world" that I can

Frankly, nobody pays any attention to me nor what I'm doing, not least to talk about achievements

If you're gone tomorrow, at most some will visit your wake & a few will send you off on your final journey; missing you is an absolute no, NO

I am awakened

I will not indulge in vanity nor hollow illusions

I will do whatever I deemed necessary to discover my routes toward my goals & ignore the glare of unwanted attention

路是人走出来的 - 条条大路通罗马

We came alone & shall return alone - life is a lonely journey

There is no need to rush as we run towards death; our ultimate end point

Let me do whatever I want or thought that that's what I want as life, like water, water never flows backwards

I am not slowing down but making every steps count, minus vanity & seeking disillusions

I have to satisfy myself, love myself before I can go to the world like a loose canon of magnanimity

Nobody cares if I make it or not but I must start to live for myself today & NOW

Every seconds become minutes, turning into hours and days - & they are all mine to dispose

I have lost much time idling, seeking vanity & shooting in the dark

Today & now I AM AWAKENed

 

Happiness Is A Living Thing

 resurrect happiness ...

Happiness lies within - live & breathe it

Anyone can make you unhappy but you can choose to ignore & not receive it

The ecosystem is not almighty but does influence plausible outcomes

Humans are emotional animals & the emotive monster within must be managed & controlled

If not disciplined, life can be very disruptive &  challenging

Man can give up his kingdom for a beauty but the beauty can twist & twiddle the Man on her little finger

The world will never be equal; equality of the genders is a fairy tale

If they preached that Heaven is so good then why didn't they leave for the destination asap? Heaven is only a slogan for happiness

Live your best when others live worst is happiness; the ability to ignore unexpected challenges that affect all - when it's everybody's problem, it's no more a problem

We cannot make everyone happy but when you/we are happy, the world smiles back

Money, fame and power do not necessarily bring happiness; they help though

However, magnanimous and helpful you are, expect nothing in return - there is much pains waiting for appreciation

A moody, disgruntled, frustrated, dissatisfied and unmotivated Soul cannot breathes the blessings of/from Heaven

Happiness is the spark in the lighthouse - the light that leads ships away from shallow waters & troubles

The power of Faiths and beliefs lessen any mental pressures & unsolicited distractions

The calm, peacefulness and serenity of the Mind builds a healthy physique

Happiness is a motivator and keeps the person young & energised

Happiness is a choice; if you wanna be sad & find faults, nothing that Heaven delivers can save you

My journey maybe tough, with ups, downs and swiveling around but my smile is my lighthouse

Alone is not loneliness, empty is not void

Seeing through life challenges is like the winds against the sail - be guided

You can't change the weather but you can redirect the sail

Tomorrow gonna be better...

Contrarian Outlook

everything is normal...

Noticeably, WallStreet has beaten MainStreet expectations and continues to rise

Trade wars between US and China & others, instead of stalling US, have boosted the US economy, even raising performances & profits for businesses

Despite Covid & the intermittent lockdowns, the medical & gig economies staffed off structural unemployment while logistics boom & eCommerce shot through the roof. Demand for housing also rise with commodities prices racing ahead

What's ahead is as unclear as it's unpredictable but one thing's for sure: expect the unexpected & there is no immediate solution for the next explosive event - a collapsed economy, a run on currency, a sudden change of political leader or simply, a natural calamity of a magnitude unseen in history

The uncertainty is certain; it's a natural cycle of events

Food and soft commodities prices will rise due to shortage and the inefficiencies of logistics

Precious metals prices shall climb but commercial & industrial metals will peak and turn down

Equities will rise until "the loss of confidence (run) of a currency" & many will be "throwing out the baby with the water"

COVID is a clear sign that Nature wants a "leveling down" to equilibrate the distribution of resources

There is no secret to overcoming the Covid threat: 

1. Treat Mother Earth with care & share - there are enough resources to go around & no humans are born more superior than another. Deforesting & destroying large swathe of land in the name of progress is a strict "NO, No, no"

2. Humans are GOD-fearing and must build upon Faiths to balance the unknown "X"-Factor; atheists included. Compassion to fellow human beings - the need to care & share with the less fortunate & less able

3. Get plentiful of sunshine and exercises to power up the Soul and the physique

There is no known cures for virus (attacks)

The new normal is the unadulterated normal since mankind - grow at you own pace, care & share, have enough & do not hoard nor practice gluttony, do not be envious & greedy. Change is the only constant & go with the flow

When COVID is over, many will ride the next cycle of peace & prosperity

From dusts to dusts; we came, we saw, we leave

Live a simple life; for tomorrow is never promised

Stones & batons break bones but hurtful words don't

拉黑Walk away from unwanted attention & confrontation - never wrestle with a pig

拉清单It's imperative to set a baseline & be prepared to "fight or flight" & be like water

Fear not

 

A contrarian is one who sees the normalcy of things that many viewed as an aberration or disruption - almost emotionless & logical in judgement

I may dislike the lockdowns but I accept the forced slowdown wherein I rethink my ideals and plot the next move - many "must-dos" have became "unimportant, obsolete & irrelevant"

Family takes priority & health comes first before wealth - nothing has change

Most contrarians will live to see another day whereas those who fights the Laws of Nature has a high incidence of defeat - you simply cannot swim against the tides

Laws Of Nature Are Man-centric

control or lack of control...

Forget about control as there is no definite method to control any outcomes

You can insist but nobody will, nor needs to, oblige if they aren't interested in your rewards & incentives

If you need the income, you are enslaved & bondage rules

If you do not need the income, you can sack your "boss", however luxurious the rewards

We eat to live & not live to eat; work is a supplementary means to an end

Pursuing our ideals are natural instincts but few achieve any, if at all

The fears, concerns, doubts, overarching thinking & fading interests over time kill achievement of goals

Many pawn their Fate to their preferred superior/leader as they retreat into their cocoons & become dependent & blind followers

Their Fate is sealed but they remained clueless

事在人为 有人才有事

Man builds, Man destroys - the wise man live in harmony with Nature & harness her strengths while fools challenge

When 5% of the richest control 95% of world's wealth, anarchy will follow as resources are hoarded, poverty rules, famine rife as incentives to sow, plough the land, plant and harvest reduced; the grit to work evaporates

Revolution happens when the commoners are deprived and their voices suppressed; the rich cannot live in a sea of poor

Class divide forces the deprived and ostracized to fight back, not for want of nothingness but survival

Dead man tells no tales

Water: water is the source of life & fortunes

Water, water, water everywhere but drinkable waters are rare to many

Nations will go to war to secure drinkable water sources and supplies

Man has contaminated many water sources & the oceans are polluted - Nature simply can't clean the oceans fast enough to stall pollution

Without water, life stops

You cannot control everything and every outcomes but you can minimize the damage to the environment and ecosystem

Man must share whatever resources Mother Earth provides as, unlike animals, Man has a conscience

There is enough to go around

GOD will not end the world but human/Man is highly capable to self-destruct

Man has been toying with nuclear weapons & pushing to near plausibility to fight with the worst gunpowder - aka nukes

Nothing is for sure - the next time someone calls a bluff, that could also be the end of mankind

Communism, capitalism and socialism are concepts that help Mankind but the overzealousness to outdo & outperform one another will be Mankind's waterloo

There is no absolute & everything and every outcomes are relative

Will August Be As Eminent And Illustrious?

every time is different...

This lockdown could have been avoided & is very uncalled for 

While it is important to stay safe and healthy, the daily imported cases is not giving consolation to the mass 

The inconsistency of policies added weight to uncertainties, good intent though

Costs, by extension inflation, keep increasing, mobility are being restricted yet massive gathering can be contemplated, gaslighting pushed many into self-doubt, segregating the vaxxed and unvaxxed is not unlike apartheid where vax is not an absolute, ideal antidote without side-effects...

Alas! This is not the moment for witch hunt but there are lots of denials and finger pointing

Natural calamities & diseases will blow over & on their paths shall lay casualties and destruction 

Unless truthful and fluid, SOPs cannot solve most dynamic issues & its dogmatic application can only make matters worse; you can adopt preventive measures but be prepared for the clean-ups thereafter

The human race triumphs on expansion and fears contraction but will never (understand the need to) slow down nor to allow Mother Earth some respite

Climatic changes are norms & have occurred for millions of years & nothing can nor will change that

The speed where information flows breed fearmongering & intimidation and allow politicians to monetize calamities; putting a value to everything also meant that some days soon, you need to pay for the air you breathe!

In uncertainty, slow down, stay calm & take calculated risks where necessary; live to fight another day

Wisdom is when Singaporeans take priority over foreigners and self-determination returns

Power is when Singaporeans decide their own Fate instead of relying on foreigners 

Yes, Singapore was a nation of emigrants but post independent Singapore today composed of true blue, locally born Singaporeans who served NS/NSmen to protect our sunny island

Let go of your dependency on foreigners, especially PRs who still refused to take up our citizenship after 20years - the Parasitic Residents indeed

Repatriate all foreigners who ostracize Singaporeans, intentionally game our Laws & lord over the locals; there's no lost love. I am not racist nor xenophobic. I am pro-Singaporeans    

By letting go, you become free; so long as you Don't Depend on them, they are useless & have o bargaining power 

August will again be eminent and illustrious as Singaporeans regain control of Singapore

Like many Singaporeans, I am a law abiding & will remain in our sunny island, come rain or sunshine

The politicians shall craft broad base policies to guide the mass, the businesspersons will entrepreneurally grow Singapore, the working class shall provide the means to the end while the family units solidify our fundamentals

When the ill-winds blow over, Singapore & SINGAPOREANS should be ready and revitalized for a better tomorrow

Whoever is too proud to admit (your) wrongs, be stoic; use this lull to correct and change   

The better Singapore depends on you & every Singaporeans - every drips fill the ocean

Be The Decider & Winner

facing the choices ...

With choice, comes Destiny

If you ever grant another to manage your affairs, beware of who you trust to execute your choices

When you trust blindly, your life is weaponrise & your future is at the disposal of another who will write your Destiny

Many of us are happy to get by, with a roof over our heads, with family members and a decent job

But, there is nothing to stop others from bashing up our destiny &, in its place, achieve theirs

The indigenous American Indians, the Australian Aborigines & even the Africans did not want external developments on their ancestral lands but were butchered, chased out of their homeland and made 'slaves' 

You cannot trust a scheming person, a dominant yet deceitful player who readily make empty promises

You can be forgiving but who will help ease your burdens? Not him! By the time you decide that you must reclaim your rights, you are probably a spent force

The power to influence cannot be underestimated; Hitler did it & so did Pol Pot. Trump almost sold his epic slogan: "our election win was stolen" to the American voters

Many blame Providence for that they were dealt a bad hand but you can play to win - being born poor is not your option but dying poor may be due to your dysfunctional decisions

When you were schooling, your grades depend on yourself

When you started working, your performances depend largely on yourself in the given ecosystem; a masterful stroke will enable you to leapfrogged the ranks & join the giants

Your chance to succeed lies within you - your liberated mind is a potent force

I have my fair share of hits and misses, maybe more misses

Today, I am again faced with a spread of choices - different era, different choices but all shalt be etched in time 

Success takes a different meaning

Material gains take second place

Maybe, age has caught up...but NO, I am not a bean counter & 61 beans cannot be plentiful

My immediate future is a mirage in the making

The exponential growth that will propel me into a new league of players

Whether it's spiritual, commercial, personal or the harmonious balance of my Soul - I dont know

But, I have a choice & I will  

 

Turn Disappointments Into Motivators

disappointments are motivators...

Economy must spend herself out of recession

With bankruptcies, new ones can begin

Too big to fail is a fallacy; failures reflect management weaknesses, inabilities & callousness, at times, bordering on corruption

When Govt adds taxes & raise charges on an already limping economy, the results are bitterness, frustration, dissatisfaction and potential anarchy

Troubles brew when, instead of sharing the thinned treasury, more are dug out from the commoners while the rulers & Mandarins line their pockets & live luxuriously; the rich cannot live in a sea of poors

Gandhi was able to instigate independence from UK because of the imposition of Salt Tax

Petrol & water taxes hit everyone but drown many a poor family; will Carbon Tax be the Waterloo

Man is a determined animal and can take much punching but "the straw that breaks the camel's neck" is almost weightless

Nobody wants anarchy but opportunists are prepared to burn the forest for the land

History has also shown that after diseases & calamities, economies turned better; after 1918-20 Spanish Flu came the roaring 20s (twenties)

The financial crisis was primarily caused by deregulation in the financial industry. That permitted banks to engage in hedge fund trading with derivatives. Banks then demanded more mortgages to support the profitable sale of these derivatives. ... That created the financial crisis that led to the Great Recession...& Walls Street has been beating Main Street eversince

Bear with it...bear with it until the ill winds pass

The loss of jobs, the stagnant wages, the limping economy, the ever-increasing costs of living...bathe with negative sentiments & intimidated by Covid are latent implosives

How do you convert disappointments into motivators? First, CHANGE...change yourself (approaches) & the world changes with you 

Complaints, being hopeful and regrets don't change anything; you are stuck in the quicksand of promises & blind hopes

It's not my problem is another pantomime - like a fairy tale - all's well as it's others' problems & you shall live happily ever after

You either decide your own destiny or someone else gonna write your Providence

You cannot depend on anybody to fight for your rights

Stalin couldn't depend on Churchill to start fighting the Germans in a new front though he initially agreed & that almost costs Russia to fall

Ho Chi Min thought the French & Americans would back him but he had to fight to disengage both, push them out and unite Vietnam

It's left to be seen if, or will, the US intervene & stand by the Philippines or Taiwan should a/any conflicts erupt with China!

I guess, deep in their hearts, the ASEAN countries knew that it is more promising and rewarding to negotiate, influence and win China's cooperation in the development of resources, in and around SCSeas, than to rely on the US - the Philippines has proceeded to jointly develop her resources with China with some successes

On a smaller scale, we have our share of disappointments & empty promises but if we do not put a stop to the unrelenting challenges, nil-priorities for locals & costs increases, milking will continue - it's not a confrontation of any kinds but a time to realize "You Are On Your Own", promises aside

Turn disappointments into motivators

When you change, the world changes with you

All Men are made equal but many give up their rights in exchange for comforts, verbally at times

GOD is levelling down for you; are you ready to make up for your lost times? Stop complaining and start living

A New Era Is Near

smooth sailing...

The mind determines the goal's achievability 

Successful people achieve & many mentioned that luck was the key catalyst - the spark that burns bright

Without the fire, what will weld ideas into realities? Hard work alone is not enough

The proletariat (working class) alone cannot break the wealth hoard of the bourgeoisie (middle class) whose lobbying to the government could stifle & suppress their (working class) aspirations

When resources are shared & spread equitably, harmony prevails as there are enough to go around

When the workers have fair compensation, productivity improves

Suppressed wages, uneven & unfair treatment and compensations breed contempt - a workforce that merely work enough to 'pass the day'

What aspirations can come out of a disenfranchised workforce? Nothing substantial, just work & wait for payday

Everyone of us is unique & each has a role to play

人生本来就是戏班 做好本分

When you play your role well, achievement is almost assured, however small

In Space shuttle Columbia's 28th mission, a piece of the spray-applied polyurethane foam^[1] insulation broke off from the Space Shuttle external tank and struck the reinforced carbon–carbon leading edge of the orbiter's left wing. It was so minor yet destroyed the shuttle with all seven astronauts on reentry

Good time or bad time...shall pass; work together and manifest each other's skilllsets to meet goals, money aside

Level down, live simply, stay healthy...good days shall return

Grit, combined with the power of the mind, will make life easier 666 六六大顺

Complaints do not solve problems; use your energy positively & action changes - thoughts without actions are hopeless

Stay cool & calm in this fairly restrictive environment; mobility is checked & tracked 

When the ill winds blow past, a new normal & prosperity return

The fakes, useless & schemers will be discarded

With faith, compassion and sharing, a new era begins

Toil on...we are near the turning point; when the hearts and minds are in unison, favourable outcomes are assured

Life will be smooth again soon

Be In The Right Circle For Best Outcomes

to shine in  a gloomy day...

Hate it, love it but if you leave it...you will never be part of it

You can't fly like an eagle if you work with turkeys

The elites work within & amongst themselves because few are willing or dare to participate for fear of being out of space. Worst, the feeling of not being able to match or inferior

You are as good as you are willing to listen (someone has to talk & they need listeners), learn (speak only if you know; otherwise, research up the topics & be an intelligent participant), to ask the right question & contribute, where appropriate and be attentive and show enthusiasm

You only, and only.... need some one to take notice of you

An intelligent & relevant question could put you on the right course

If you love to cook, you can never be a Chef by working in a bank nor can you be a mechanic by working in a bar 

近墨者黑 近朱者赤

The commoners can never change policies affecting them by screaming their throats out; they need an elected Representative who shares their goals & inspirations to represent their interests, party aside

An outlier can disrupt the norm but he still need to have influence over the circles of enthusiasts

Dr Sun Yat Sun, an eloquent & articulate speaker, was more influential than Chiang Kai Shek 

Would Goh Chok Tong become the 2nd PM in Singapore if he stayed in the private sector? Less likely

Luck - the magical word - that many, both successful & failures, equate with

The fact remains you must be in the right place, right industry, be passionately driven by your desires, to outshine others & be distinct - be prepared, able & capable, knowledgeable but humble and be ready

Pounce when opportunity presents - if you remain indolent & indifference, your chance passes

You may call the in-circles cronies, leaches, spineless but as Deng XP said "black cat, white cat...so long as the cat can catch mice, it's a good cat"

Reality is also cruel 

The good leader is one who works with smarter people, never mind if they are less pliant, but deliver the desired results   

Meritocracy is not just academic capabilities; merit - the quality of being particularly good or worthy 

When the leader surround himself with good, skilled & wise people, the organisation manifest & prosper

If you want to succeed, row up your sleeves, know the strengths & weaknesses of the industry & yourself & jump into the industry; be prepared to get dirty, find a mentor & make yourself useful  

Nothing is too small for you to start & every ideas & idiosyncrasies cut some ice - your job is to pick & build on the winners

If you are in the right circle, life becomes a breeze

If you dare trade your conscience, there is little that can be deemed "obstacles"

I am not your guardian angel; for you, like me will face karma someday

Most importantly, you must be able, and allow, to sleep well

Tomorrow is never promised but ...many don't care

 

Being Myself

 drips & drops fill the ocean...

We came alone & shall return alone

You were welcomed & you'll get a sent-off; it's only how many were, & who will be, present

Only life(being born) & death are destined; in between, you have choices

You can be the Hitler in-the-making or the Pope or the pauper

Being born poor was destiny but dying poor is your own doing

Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but of playing a poor hand well - Robert Louis Stevenson

PUTIN: If you are born ugly, don't blame the mirror

The world loves a Winner & when you fell, more will want to walk over you than to give you a helping hand; help is accidental

When you are hurt, emotionally challenged or mentally drained, go, take a walk in the rain & let your tears & the rainwater wash away your sadness - without pomp & pity

You will return stronger after dropping the loads of burden - a burden that you willingly carried

拉黑 - Eliminate all your so-called caring friends upon realization; regrets are useless without letting go

True friends encourage, motivate & lend you a hand in the 'last mile' to get you across 

What is a beautiful row of concrete jungle if it's without a Soul? Has Singapore lost her compassion, care & share and the readiness to stand up for fellow Singaporeans? Not totally but much have been eroded over the years...

Someone said "the Singapore today is different from the day's of my dad"...Umm!! 

Nation building requires unity amongst all, if not most  

When there is a class divide, the House of Cards collapsed as each pulls in different directions

It is hard to unite if there is no common factor; terrorism was used but it eased off. Racism, xenophobia and the "Chinese privilege" crop up lately...

Alas! Happy Singaporeans unite because we were proud to be SINGAPOREANS but dilution from 'excessive' emigration is fast eating into our social cohesion & the fibre is thinning out

Good days shall come when sanity and equity return 

There are no bad people/management but if you associate with the wrong "kinds", the batter turns stale & directions deviate

There should be no quarrels amongst citizens for the common good as we have made our Pledge

Some day soon, the volume of accumulated sweat from all will weld everyone together

Mistakes are mistake only when they don't fit the season & fad as so are too early in the curve

A new normal will rise after Covid & quite likely, live side by side with it

While you are riding high, need not be too snob & high nosed; GlennKnight, PeterTham, Ng YuZhi, Madoff, Michael Milken, Nick Leeson...were once there

Singaporeans, whatever class or status, must care for one another

The current crops, young and old, must survive and prosper before outsiders benefit 

Drips & drops fill our reservoirs with lives, happiness and glee

It is not about protection against foreigners & things foreign but if locally born Singaporeans are 'marginalized', what future are we building & for whom? You wouldn't feed & educate your neighbors' children at the expense of yours, do you? Let us start with your heart  心比心

I love the SINGAPORE 1 know