Giving Up Is A Virtue

giving up is a virtue...

I hardly give up, almost never

But, I have learnt to give up on headless chases, unrequited efforts to bridge relationships(EQ), fake   leads, empty promises and hollow opportunities

I am not a fool & I am willing to loss some resources & spend efforts to build possibilities

I can sell ice creams to the eskimos

The many who think that I could be taken for a ride weren't wrong as I am ready to bet on unknown leads & false starts

But, I am seldom wrong & once I grip the lead, I fight on; the price is considered 'small beers'

Who can cheat or scheme against you? Friends. Only friends...

Nothing hurts more than being betrayed by your friends but...BUT... isn't that called "entrapment"? You fell into the very trap of your own emotions - Trust

When you are devoid of emotions, nothing can entrap you; not even your closest relations 六亲不认

Many have taken my kindness as weakness; some days soon they will pay

Not because I will seek revenge, for which I never endeavor, but to watch them fall into the very traps they set for others - Karma is a bitch

I have learnt to say "NO" - better late than never

Strangely, of late, I have been meeting defeats, one after another; from failed promises to endless chasers to over providing for others whom I either felt needed my guidance & assistance or had seek my help

They simply disappear & vanish into thin air - the hurts remain but all shalt heal 黎明之前是最黑暗

There is a price for everything - trust is priceless & betrayals know no boundaries

Whatever happens, if you don't cut loss, it gets more painful than hopeful

From zero to zero, it's still zero - never cry over spilled milk

From the ashes, comes the phoenix; NY World Trade Centre was demolished in 9/11 in a terrorists attack but after 20 years and $4bil, it's a new landmark

Nobody can abuse you, your trust & sell your Soul if you do not allow

Giving up on people/others is an Art - if you are willing to cut the strings to your kite, both will be free

“When things go wrong, don't go with them.”  - Elvis Presley

It was NY2022. It's gonna be ChineseNY in two days time. Drop everything behind that hurts & begin with a hopeful Year of the Tiger [Tigers may be ferocious but they can be tamed and domesticated] - be in charge of your Life & write your own destiny

Maybe, it is time to give up the headless chase

When your heart grows cold, it's time to move on - enjoy the relief

Make the difference...now

Opportunity Comes Often

deja vou or coincidence ...

How many coincidences make a lucky strike? Infinite... nobody knows

In coincidence, most outcomes are positive

We work towards our goals; be readily trained & qualified

You need to have a marketable skill - the desired skill to solve the mentioned problem

Be readily 'useful' to everyone; that's your value-add

Smile is a global language

Nobody will be suspicious of a natural smile

However difficult life is, there will always be a lucky break

Time is the essence and patience is the silver lining

Laughters lighten the heart & frees the Soul

When your encounter "all hell breaks loose", retreat into your cocoon, stay calm with a calculated mind, wait for clarity, then respond when the situation favors

Come what may, whatever fits : SMILE

Covid has been around for 2 years & no amount of worry can rid this menace, save for stay healthy, having Faith & avoiding unknown crowds 

Unlike some political jokers, Covid does not follow script and 'infect to potentially kill'

My guess is the world is walking on a tightrope of disputes, mad yet fiery military adventurism, food shortages, jobs scarcity, inflation and loss of Faiths in both, Man & God

In layman's term, Thucydides trap can be read as "that the reigning power refused to, or is in self-denial, to admit its decaying abilities to continue to lead" - war is not imminent but cause by Man's vanity 

Do whatever you want & deem fit but be rule by conscience

History repeats itself because it's written by the Victors; it was never a coincidence

After the ravages, come reconstruction & recovery

Life is a cycle (cyclical), not a coincidence

With knowledge, grit and wisdom, every challenges can be overcome

The uncertain future is fraught with opportunities

Opportunity knocks often - only if you are open to it

Be the lighthouse to ALL

Destiny Is Written By You

when one ends, another begins...while most continue

Many impossibles were achieved at extremes of demand

Walt Disney, a shy & insecure man, was dismissed as a non-artist & non-achiever

Picasso lacked discipline and dislike formal instructions

Benito Mussolini was originally a socialist politician, turned fascist & dictator, and expanded Italy's influences into Albania, Libya, Ethiopia, Somalia & others

Sun Yat-Sen lived through the turbulent period & is unique among 20th-century Chinese leaders for being widely revered in both mainland China and Taiwan

Hideki Tojo came from a relatively low-ranking samurai family & rose to the rank of General in the Imperial Army, then Prime Minister during WW2; he was convicted as a war criminal after WW2

Lee Kuan Yew took the road less traveled and led Singapore, after independence from Malaya, to shine & prosper with foresight and commitment to the people, though not necessarily accommodating at times. 

Give & take, Care & share and by allowing the free flow of information, initiatives will enhance and manifest; nobody has a monopoly of ideas - for the People, with the People, by the People

You cannot inhibit initiatives and expect freshness of ideas to blossom

Healthy competition challenges known boundaries and push for new frontiers - metaverse & NFT (non-fungiable tokens), cryptos included

DotCom collapsed in 2000s & SARs miraculously disappeared by 2004

Will cryptos collapsed during COVID & reappears in a more stable, acceptable and globally recognised methods of settlement post-Covid? The chances are highly likely not unlike the metamorphosis of a butterfly

Vax & re-vax, booster shots & additional shots - this simply shows that the vaccine is ineffective, save for lowering the impact of those hit by Covid

Henceforth, this should be optional instead of mandatory - who's profiting from this? Any, why so? It seems to be kind of karma-in-motion; the days of testing on animals are over. It's humans now

Nothing is infinite but everything evolve

All decisions are right at the point of making

Regret is the result of emotional response - "I gave in", "I thought it was the best", "I thought it will never fail", "He's very convincing"...

Do not make any promises when you are happ(iest)y nor react when you are absolutely down; both seem undeliverable

Most bitter decisions result in (more) positive outcome; its like an antidote

You bite the bullet and the pains dissolved ultimately

As the pains are washed away by time & wisdom, a new horizon materializes

We are all unique & here to perform certain tasks 做好本分 前途无量

It is okay to fail & that's not the end of the road

Every ending has a new beginning but do not apply the same solutions to your harbored ambition

For avoidance of doubts, you may recycle your CNYear-Resolution ; either you change your goals or your solutions to succeed

Nature has a way of rearranging destiny & restart mankind

Some day soon, your LUCK will arrive

360 Days Of Possibilities - Beginning Now

the show must go on...

As the new year crawled in, the show continues

The only thing that's new is the calendar, Year 2022

You continue with your 酸甜苦辣 daily chores, unchanged melodrama, obstinance, convictions, beliefs, whatever fits

The same solutions to the same problem yields the same results

Success is measured differently; dominance, fame, power, rewards, position, breakthroughs, makeups, recuperates, restoration ...or simply found peace amidst disquietness

During the Great Depression, Colonel Saunders started selling his fried chickens with his social security money ($105) at age 62years old & sold a part of his business for $2mil at 73yo but continued to earn from franchising

Nobody, or few would know, he started "Claudia Saunder, The Colonel's Lady", a non-fast food KFC, at age 84yo 

Former US President Barack Obama became the first black person-president of the US in 2008. Before 1965, it was almost unthinkable that the blacks (afro-americans) can vote

Beliefs, righteousness, integrity, compassion, enthusiasm, honesty & grit, bathe with lucks are fundamental building blocs for success 天时地利人和

You need money, if not, guts to succeed

Nature versus Nurture; even if you are destined to succeed (Nature), your success will be marginal if you don't put in your efforts (Nurture)

Everyone eats to live & not live to eat but will endeavor higher aspirations as basic needs are met

Chase your dreams

Between your first breathe and your last, conquer your world & push for newer frontiers

When you think you CAN, half the battle is won

You can bicker, blame the world, complain incessantly...but you will remain stuck in the rut

Use your energy to change the course of your life positively instead; you change & the world changes with you

Whether you like it or not, the world continues evolving

You have 360days in 2022...maybe! Make every day counts

Anyone who refuses to admit mistakes, need not change & will not change

A persistent liar is any incurable hypocrite & gaslighting is one of his favorite tools

Between cash and promises, take cash, however filthy - a banker once said "I like the stench of dirty monies"

You need not bother with what others think nor say of you

Your presence is their present but your absence will not be felt; try borrowing money (or ask for favors) from those around you and see how many stay

Keep going, keep dreaming but be awakened soon enough & work on your dreams

Most goals come true

Resolutions can be recycled & goals may change

Today is current and tomorrow is never promised 活在当下

曾经拥有 是幸福 天长地久 是梦想 Life is finite and all shalt pass; parting is not a choice

Summarily, the world is looking for a safer mode of exchange as the confidence in currency(ies) is waning. The leading capital market is base on hype and hope and the valuation is almost 'imaginary', not unlike the metaverse

How will/can the economies grow or "keep growing" if there are shortages in food and commodities, breakdown in logistics & delivery, disappearing employments and sabre rattling? It almost defy applied economics

I am not going to speculate on what may happen tomorrow but will live my best today; the show must go on

Free Yourself From Bondages

time is always constant...

365 days & +1day on leap year... 60seconds, 60 minutes, 24 hours, 52 weeks

When 31,536,000 seconds passed & 2022 arrives

Time slowed down to a trickle as C19 struck; the whole ecosystem was muddled, restructured & calibrated to reflect a new normal

9/11 brought in security concerns and C19 pushed health issues into the forefront

COVID allowed Earth breathing spaces to clean up the air, oceans, mountains & surroundings

However, C19 also witnessed the resurgence of human greed, thirst for power, control & domination

While Nature assists nature to clean & clear, Nature also allow Humans to self-destruct due to their over indulgence & selfishness  - no nations will be left untouched in a nuke-war

Within borders, countrymen destroy one another in their zeal for domination & control - only those with compassion, care & share will be spared 施舍 忏悔

Revolutions are the results of suppression & oppression; the commoners endeavor a peaceful environment to live, let live & to pass time

Nobody wants anarchy 

Laws are necessary to ensure orders but excessive controls and micromanagement kill trust & disable initiatives; there is no monopoly of ideas & many successful entrepreneurship are the fruits of gumption & gutfeel

Marslow theory clearly showed that when Man has achieved most, he will seek self-actualisation which unfortunately may also mean that Man can self-crowned himself & make unnecessary demands from his flocks

There is no "ABSOLUTE" but two or more sides to possibilities

Do not give false hopes & promises as it could be a "live or death" matter to some

Do not be blindly pliant and obedient - you deserve the consequences of your decision

No persons/leaders, however wealthy, powerful, famous or supposedly well-like, can survive in a sea of poors 

Karma has a way of taking away or gives you whatever you desired most

Everything is temporary & vanity does not immortalize your eccentricities

Physical & emotional dependence are destructive; when a person is void of emotions, he has lesser bondages

Turn away vanity, deny others any chances to judge you, beware of false prophets & friends. How? Be fearless & indifferent to their provocations and temptations

Walk free...free your Soul

May the new year offer you the chance to crystalize your ideals - no holds bar

Resolutions Again: Christmas, New Year & Chinese New Year

Faiths & prayers...

When the mind is confident & unshaken, nothing hurts the body

No pains, no diseases, no agonies ...can affect the gritty mind & body

COVID has proven that nothing is impossible, or conversely, anything & everything is possible

The new normal will speed up & clear the usual ways that things were done

Fortunate are those who had made use of the lull period to upskill, upgrade, improvise and adapt to new ways of resolving issues & situations 

eSolutions will rule

Costs of living is rising unnoticeably but markedly

Inflation, stagflation, recession, depression - any of this will make lives & livelihoods much tougher

Underemployment, unemployment, stagnant incomes and diminishing real disposable incomes are contributors toward stressful living, frustrations, anxieties & suicides

The way out of uncertainties is "minimalist living" ; eat enough, have enough rest, keep out of others problems & instigation, manage your resources and stay healthy   

Live well & neutral while others bicker about their living

A happy family, bathe with warmth and belonging, is the best accorded shelter

Tough times don't last, tough people do - outlive your challenges - not all challenges need to be addressed

Like fire, the fury will burn out if left alone

The best defense is attack; we must resist when fakeness & baseless accusations become character assassination 底线

Nobody owes you a living & so it is (true) that nobody has a right to break your Soul

Never takes kindness as weakness - if there is a need to fight, fight to win & eliminate

Faiths & prayers reinforce the mind

A sturdy Mind is a solution enabler

Stop worrying and start living 活在当下

Forgive but don't forget - a lesson well taught is (must be) well learnt

It's barely 7 days before the day becomes new & so are the month & year

Have your crystalized your bucket of wishes or it's time to dust & reuse your resolutions? Do whatever fits & keep going

Some day soon, your dreams will come true; perhaps an abridged version

One day to Christmas, seven days to New Year & thirty eight days to Chinese New Year

This will be my last piece to close 2021: GOD Bless

Time Wasted Worrying

dying comes naturally...

Nobody knows when their time is up & it arrives mostly unannounced and at an instant

We are all destined to die; it's only when - the journey is cast but the exit methods differs

Empires come and go; friends disappear & spouses part - every thing is finite

The crave for fame, money, power ...is control; the need to control others for domination

Respect wasn't won but 'bought' & never lasts ...so is loyalty

Money talks, bullshit walks

Whichever religion you subscribe to, it's about love, compassion, forgiveness & care - nobody has seen GOD

天 - whatever you wish and pray for, GOD never voice out but somehow your prayers maybe answered (or ignored)

地 - whatever you wish & pray for, you need to work on it, henceforth "you reap what you sow" - the land has abundance & rewards those who works. The land never speaks

人 - human is the bridge between heaven & land & the only one that can talk. Either you gain abundantly or you poison your own lifeline

Karma is your personal computer; whatever you key in, come out - a direct correlation to your efforts

GOD will not destroy Earth but Earthlings ill-intents self destruct - be kind to one another or you'll be MAD (Mutual Assured Destruction)

The christians, muslims, jews & a few others believe you go to heaven after death whereas the buddhists  &, maybe hindus, believe you need to do good, have compassion, practice redemption & are allowed the cycles to reincarnate until you cleanse up or achieve enlightenment

Nobody aspire to go to Hell but if Heaven is so good, why aren't those who want to go there, go now? If you are living in Hell on Earth, why not make your Earthly stays Heavenly...enjoy the heavenly life you have now活在当下

Make every moment of living, memorably heavenly

Look around you: the political quarrels, the bullying of weaker nations, the milking of the commoners, the oppression of the weak, the displacement of the citizens, the suppression of truths, the threats of deprivation of freedom, the list goes on...isn't these living in Hell? Karma dish out the same menu when your time is up

Death is never fearsome

When you die, you move onto another realm (if there is one)

Make sure you enjoy every moments of life, for tomorrow may not come

Covid & many problems exist whether you like it or not; live well while others live worst is an angel's dream

Worries never solve problems but erode good health

Lock your mind out of "noises, irritants, distractions and overthinking" & you Soul will find peace

With peace, you will live heavenly on Earth

 2021 will be over soon; so do not waste 2022 onwards

 

Blessed Are Those Who Ride Through Uncertainties

 don't wait too long...

Top 10 Bucket List Items for Seniors (November, 2020)

• Learn a New Language. Many seniors would love to learn a new language...
• Support a Charity. ...
• Start a New Hobby. ...
• Travel. ...
• Try a New Food. ...
• Read Particular Books. ...
• Redecorate a Room. ...
• Get a Pet...

I am shock to see the bucket list as I have done all the above over & over again

Why wait so long? We work to live, not live to work

Surely, those can be tucked in somewhere between study, career, house, marriage/family, kids... 

How did Cheong, the special force commando gave up everything & became a monk? He prefers to be known as the Venerable Tenzin Drachom

Why did Venerable Ajahn Siripanyo, the son of Malaysia's third richest man, Ananda Krishnan, give up material well-being to pursue his spiritual path? He didn't wait until he grew old

Colonel Saunders used his welfare money & started his fried chickens business (KFC) out of necessity during the thick of depression

Not many people can "drop everything" and pursue an altogether new path unless forced to; humans are creatures of comfort

Successful people do not walk their familiar paths

A tinge of eccentricity is needed for those seeking the paths less travelled

But, the ordinary bucket list should not be delayed; time and tides wait for no Man

When you are young, do everything that you want as "from zero to zero" doesn't hurt yet you can spring back fairly fast from your falls

At mid-age, save 30% & game the balance; taking chances give you new frontiers & be a gamechanger

By the 60s, when the family has been provided for, it's "show hand" time; 70% are left with your family and spend the 30% on whatever you want. Any monies not spent are not yours

What doesn't kill you mutates and tries again; it's you vs Time as we walk towards/near the end

Be motivated & encouraged - the 2nd or next wind may be the final blowoff - legends are made before the curtains fall

Whatever Fits, just do it - he who laughs last, laughs best

Don't worry about what people say or think about you; your presence or demise has no impact on them

A Master once said "when you die, the 'many' people who come to see you off are those that truly care"

Blessed are those who live best when others live worst

Don't wait...you are as good as whatever you can & will do now 活在当下

If someone reassures you that tomorrow is better, I warranty you Today Is The Best - dead man tells no tales

A New Normal Awaits You

 the new normal...

I used to travel/fly 15-20 days a month before Covid

Now, traveling is a chore but, at least, borders are opening up

Having booked your air-ticket doesn't mean you can travel - a failed PCR test will prevent you from getting into the plane

Even if you pass, your next hurdle is the PCR test on arrival; pass you go on & fail, you are  quarantined

After you almost complete your trip, you need to be tested again before flying home; pass you fly home & if you fail, you are quarantined

Another PCR test on arrival before you go into self-quarantine (SQ) 

Yet a final PCR test, say 7 days later, before you are allowed to go out; only if you pass

Money, money... is spent to trade back freedom

How do you build resistance against Covid? Build a strong body (stay fit), receive more fresh air and sunshine (be healthy) & have faith in GOD

The global economy is greatly hamstrung by the debilitating impact of Covid & governments the world over are looking for alternative sources of revenues

What will the future promise? Anything is possible

It is not too late to pursue your dreams and ideals

The world slowed for you to catch up, not sulk and sink; leveling down does not happen often

Stop complaining and start living (to the fullest)

Transform your energy into efforts towards the direction of your goals; be the winner, not the whiner

Inconveniences and changes are not obstacles but allow you to sharpen your ideals when crystalised- the rock is not a gem until it is polished

Fear nothing, fight to win

Do not let others write your Destiny & leave yourself stories to recall & tell in your twilight years

Why do you fear your bosses, the politicians, the armed personnels, the bullies & even the stares of others when you may not even see the next daylight if Covid hits? We eat to live & not live to eat and we do not live to work

Money is a means to an end 钱不是万能 但没钱万万不能  -  钱是身外物

With grit, encouragement & resourcefulness, the world is yours to conquer

You've less than 20 days to go before the year ends 

What have you achieved and/or missed while worrying about Covid, it's impact & the supposed losses & fears? Many can only look back with regrets & perhaps, repeat their old, dusty Resolutions when the new year arrives

No two days are the same neither sorrows nor happiness

Do not worry about things that you cannot change nor influence

Do everything within your means and prowess for you reap what you sow

Tomorrow maybe better but today is still The Best

活在当下 天时地利人和 Make hay while the Sun shines

The new normal is here... be the first mover & the gamechanger

I am ahead of the Curve

Last Or Lasting

 the last...

1st December; the last month of the year (2021)

If you have spent time sulking & worrying about this disruptive virus year 2021, you've lost 11 months of precious time that will never return

The smart use the lull, disruptive period to rethink what he wants to do, pick up the skills & be empowered and ready to reap opportunities when the new normal arrives

The incurable complainants continue to wallow in self-pity & expending energy negatively - never cry over spilled milk - nothing much can be achieved

What have you achieved in the last 11 months? Many can only look back in awe

When "it's everyone's problem, you need not fret"! Just go with the flow but stay away from it's onslaught & destructive paths

Water seep through rocks & new rivers form from clogged riverbanks

Be like water; no form, no shape, no designs - adapt

Everyone is worried about their future but few are prepared to forearm himself with knowledge & skills necessary to achieve his preferred goals

COVID has proven that nothing is impossible - lockdown, sealed borders, restricted mobility, surveillance, closed ports & disrupted logistics, work from home, home learning...

Put aside the noises from COVID & prepare yourself for the new normal where many a stuck with regrets, self-pity, doubts, fears, disillusions, distractions and blaming the dynamically challenging situation 

You cannot change others nor can you dictate terms with Nature; go with the flow - change yourself and the world changes with you

Is change necessary for survival? No, but the ability to adopt and adapt is 

Live best when others live worse is the decider of winners

Do whatever fits & do not wait until you are not able then that you wanna climb the highest mountain, swim in the deepest ocean, run the full marathon, or for that matter, fight for a cause 

When was the last time you spend quiet moments with your family, send a bouquet to your spouse, cook a meal & enjoy it by the seaside, visit your parents, or simply take a walk around your neighbourhood? Give yourself a chance to do it...Do It Now

When the last month on the calendar leaves, many will recycle their "NewYear Resolutions" - repeating the same solutions to an existing problem is a fool's ideal

The LAST is definitive - everyone lives until the last breathe, the last supper, the last hope, the last...

Do not waste time wallowing in self pity, overthinking & laze - the next destination is yours for the taking

Between birth and death, you write your (own) destiny

Don't be the last man standing; nobody's there to back you & when you're dead, you'd need to crawl back to your grave

Do not waste your next 31 days - make your last month definitive & proceed to achieve your dreams & create a lasting memory

It's a fine line between the fool & genius, darkness & dawn(break), success & failures, life & death 

Be Lasting, Not Last

Surviving On Little

save & stretch the dollar...

How to, & why do you, save when inflation kicks in where your $1 today buys $0.80 next month? The meagre interest rate of 0.5% pa offered by banks doesn't help neither does the stagnant income

The million dollars question is "is it better to be able to buy something, expensive though, than not able to by anything even if you have money"? This only applies to non-necessities

Where necessities are concerned, you get lesser because your money shrinks while the rich grumbles about their lower real purchasing power

Why did prices of goods rise despite the dampening of global demands by Covid? It is the unfortunate cycles of mismatches: the abundance produce were trapped & undelivered when Covid hit & lockdowns begun. Producers distraught by inability to distribute & sell, cut supplies by destruction of existing stocks and reduced production. Distribution channels were further paralyzed by the breakdown of logistics flows

Oil is >$80; why so in a globally slowed economy? Production is struggling to match recovery in demands from low(er) as many idle fields need to restart

Costs of living is spiraling up despite stagnant income and unemployment & underemployment

Inflation almost always hurt the poor man first as real income falls

How to find the cheapest, fair quality "Buys"? With so many eSites, do a spreadsheet on the items from the various sites to draw comparison - cheap doesn't mean poor quality. Buy whatever you need, not want

When you lower your expectations, you have lesser disappointments

The world will spin whether you like it or not, alive or dead

Many are complaining about the ever changing policies, including restrictions & termination of employment of the unvax

Jab at your own risks also mean you must be given a choice - the choice of say "NO"

Who will pay for any medical eventualities, if at all? Yourself; that's why the "NO" must remain sacred  

Eat & spend within your means and buy what you need, not what you want

The financial markets in US have enjoyed years of rises, growth & bountiful prosperity whereas markets in the East are undergoing monumental correction

Were smart money finding heaven in the West where money makes monies & where hard working production make meagre returns in the East? The root to this is perception

The West buys into the future & spend ahead of time whereas the East is the global workshop toiling to provide for global demands

When reality hits & the house of cards collapsed, pains and blood will flood the street

Cost push and demand pull economics shrink real purchasing power; inflation rears it's head

Leveling down allows those lower down the food chain to catch up

But, you'd need an "anarchy of financial armageddon" to redistribute wealth more equitably 

Lines at soup kitchen grows, unemployment & underemployment are the new norm

Stretching the dollar to survive will be the new norm before more can be saved & accumulated in the recovery phase

Lie low, keep going, stay healthy and sane...the lights will return