There was this story about a pair of star-crossed lovers.
They had met despite many hardships and disapprovals. But each has a certain belief, that each would deserve a happy life and that each of them would eventually die. So instead of giving in to what had been ingrained deep within their souls, they decided to give their all to each other and vow to make the other person happier.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Raising Your Personal Standards
Destiny is not a matter of chance
It is a matter of choice
~William Jennings Bryan
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Stagnation and slacking at work is very common. Few of us are ambitious and self-motivated enough to maintain an optimum level of performance at all times.
However, to develop and mature at our jobs, we need to periodically raise our personal standards. Otherwise, our work will in time begin to feel mundane and our attitude will begin to look sloppy. This in turn affects job satisfaction and career prospects.
Our personal standards are benchmarks we set for ourselves. They're related to how we treat and perceive ourselves, how we interact with others, the words we use, the attitudes and values we project, and our behavioural patterns. They can be reviewed and changed as we mature as human beings.
Here are some simple tips for raising your personal standards at work or at home:
- Make a list of the people you admire. The traits you have a high regard for could be patience, the ability to persuade others to see their point, being punctual, or kind. So these people could be your peers, your superiors, your subordinates, the mailman or the cleaning lady. Observe them and emulate how they handle tough situations.
- Try to be "unconditionally-constructive" each time you speak while still saying all you need to say. Most people criticise without being able to come up with solutions, or only see the negative in everything. Practice being constructive about as many things as you can and you'll increase your self-worth and your value as a worker. You'll also inspire others to be more optimistic and cheerful.
- When mistakes or mishaps occur in your "space" or your sphere of work, learn to accept the responsibility, but not the blame. Deal with the situation and raise your standards so it doesn't happen again.
- In the corporate world, it seems like a good idea to make results and goals number one on your list of priorities. But ask any successful and influential manager or supervisor, and he or she will tell you that putting people and relationships above results is the key to long term job satisfaction and corporate success.
- What are the things around your office that you tolerate but which continue to drain your energy? It could be an aspect of your work that is time-consuming or menial, but ultimately contributes little or nothing to the quality of your work. Do them, delegate them or discard them if you think they cannot be changed to benefit you or your company.
And those are a few ways you can raise your personal standards and in turn increase your value at work.
A Slice of Life is written, produced and presented by Eugene Loh unless otherwise stated. If you wish to share the scripts with others, please credit 'Eugene Loh, 938LIVE, a station of MediaCorp Radio'.
It is a matter of choice
~William Jennings Bryan
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Stagnation and slacking at work is very common. Few of us are ambitious and self-motivated enough to maintain an optimum level of performance at all times.
However, to develop and mature at our jobs, we need to periodically raise our personal standards. Otherwise, our work will in time begin to feel mundane and our attitude will begin to look sloppy. This in turn affects job satisfaction and career prospects.
Our personal standards are benchmarks we set for ourselves. They're related to how we treat and perceive ourselves, how we interact with others, the words we use, the attitudes and values we project, and our behavioural patterns. They can be reviewed and changed as we mature as human beings.
Here are some simple tips for raising your personal standards at work or at home:
- Make a list of the people you admire. The traits you have a high regard for could be patience, the ability to persuade others to see their point, being punctual, or kind. So these people could be your peers, your superiors, your subordinates, the mailman or the cleaning lady. Observe them and emulate how they handle tough situations.
- Try to be "unconditionally-constructive" each time you speak while still saying all you need to say. Most people criticise without being able to come up with solutions, or only see the negative in everything. Practice being constructive about as many things as you can and you'll increase your self-worth and your value as a worker. You'll also inspire others to be more optimistic and cheerful.
- When mistakes or mishaps occur in your "space" or your sphere of work, learn to accept the responsibility, but not the blame. Deal with the situation and raise your standards so it doesn't happen again.
- In the corporate world, it seems like a good idea to make results and goals number one on your list of priorities. But ask any successful and influential manager or supervisor, and he or she will tell you that putting people and relationships above results is the key to long term job satisfaction and corporate success.
- What are the things around your office that you tolerate but which continue to drain your energy? It could be an aspect of your work that is time-consuming or menial, but ultimately contributes little or nothing to the quality of your work. Do them, delegate them or discard them if you think they cannot be changed to benefit you or your company.
And those are a few ways you can raise your personal standards and in turn increase your value at work.
A Slice of Life is written, produced and presented by Eugene Loh unless otherwise stated. If you wish to share the scripts with others, please credit 'Eugene Loh, 938LIVE, a station of MediaCorp Radio'.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Do No Harm
“How you do anything is how you do everything.”
~ T. Harv Eker
I've been bothered and saddened by some things recently.
This jungle has gotten more and more dangerous.
Recently, the chief rounded up a small exploration team.
The group dynamics does not seem to promise a peaceful outcome, not to mention, a happy one.
Life has been nice although at the back of my mind, this river is running dry soon. I don't personally see anything else better for myself nowadays. So you can guess how bleak my future seems, if you know what I've been trying to say. Maybe I am a pessismist. But then, we will soon find out.
I only know that whatever journey that I have set out to accomplish, I must not be profit-motivated.
"Must remember my principles - Do no harm."
~ T. Harv Eker
I've been bothered and saddened by some things recently.
This jungle has gotten more and more dangerous.
Recently, the chief rounded up a small exploration team.
The group dynamics does not seem to promise a peaceful outcome, not to mention, a happy one.
Life has been nice although at the back of my mind, this river is running dry soon. I don't personally see anything else better for myself nowadays. So you can guess how bleak my future seems, if you know what I've been trying to say. Maybe I am a pessismist. But then, we will soon find out.
I only know that whatever journey that I have set out to accomplish, I must not be profit-motivated.
"Must remember my principles - Do no harm."
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Changing Your Perception
Albert Einstein famously remarked :
"There are only two ways to live your life.
One is as though nothing is a miracle.
The other is as though everything is."
Einstein was referring to perception and how every often, how well or how badly you feel about something is due entirely to the way you see it. You can instantly change your emotional state by changing the way you perceive the situation. We live in an age of unprecedented equality - many of us have access to the same opportunities to improve our lives. Yet we find there is a whole spectrum of people stuck between Depressed and Joyful, between Yearning for More and Contented. Two persons can have the same experience and respond very differently. Scientists used to believe that we respond to information flowing into the brain, but we now know, scientifically, that it is actually our interpretation of the information that determines our response. Our past experiences create an expectancy that is primarily based on what we "know" and what we "know" is that which has happened before. Our belief system is one of the main ways in which our minds make sense of the world.
A belief is a sense of certainty about what something means and they're mostly formed and hardened by past experiences. In essence, we make expectations about something based on what's happened before. For example, you might believe that you never get second dates because no one's agreed to it in the past. As a result, you go for that first date with a gloomy forecast of what's to come and don't make any effort to encourage a second date. After the date, you don't follow-up or call to arrange another meeting. Needless to say, a second date doesn't happen. You believe it's because you're undesirable, but the real reason is simply that your limiting belief had caused you to sabotage your own chances!
Perception is a way of grasping and making sense of the "realities" around us. Perception links a meaning to what you take in with your senses that allows you to have the experience in your nervous system. Because perception is based on interpretation we can change it. A change in perception is what turns the half empty glass into a half full glass. Perception explains how two people can have exactly the same experience and one commits suicide while the other becomes an inspiration for generations to come. Whatever you perceive is going to be true for you, regardless of what you see.
Change your beliefs, change your perceptions, and you can change your life.
Be who you are and say what you feel, because
Those who mind don't matter and
Those who matter don't mind.
~Dr. Seuss
"There are only two ways to live your life.
One is as though nothing is a miracle.
The other is as though everything is."
Einstein was referring to perception and how every often, how well or how badly you feel about something is due entirely to the way you see it. You can instantly change your emotional state by changing the way you perceive the situation. We live in an age of unprecedented equality - many of us have access to the same opportunities to improve our lives. Yet we find there is a whole spectrum of people stuck between Depressed and Joyful, between Yearning for More and Contented. Two persons can have the same experience and respond very differently. Scientists used to believe that we respond to information flowing into the brain, but we now know, scientifically, that it is actually our interpretation of the information that determines our response. Our past experiences create an expectancy that is primarily based on what we "know" and what we "know" is that which has happened before. Our belief system is one of the main ways in which our minds make sense of the world.
A belief is a sense of certainty about what something means and they're mostly formed and hardened by past experiences. In essence, we make expectations about something based on what's happened before. For example, you might believe that you never get second dates because no one's agreed to it in the past. As a result, you go for that first date with a gloomy forecast of what's to come and don't make any effort to encourage a second date. After the date, you don't follow-up or call to arrange another meeting. Needless to say, a second date doesn't happen. You believe it's because you're undesirable, but the real reason is simply that your limiting belief had caused you to sabotage your own chances!
Perception is a way of grasping and making sense of the "realities" around us. Perception links a meaning to what you take in with your senses that allows you to have the experience in your nervous system. Because perception is based on interpretation we can change it. A change in perception is what turns the half empty glass into a half full glass. Perception explains how two people can have exactly the same experience and one commits suicide while the other becomes an inspiration for generations to come. Whatever you perceive is going to be true for you, regardless of what you see.
Change your beliefs, change your perceptions, and you can change your life.
Be who you are and say what you feel, because
Those who mind don't matter and
Those who matter don't mind.
~Dr. Seuss
IF YOU FAIL TO PLAN,YOU PLAN TO FAIL
Retirement is all in the planning, if you are planning to live out your Golden Years in style and comfort. Unfortunately most of us fail to plan adequately for our retirement. Why?
Quite simple it's intangible. It's too far off and we can't quite see ourselves retired. It's one of those things that will come around one day, but until it does, we have too much else on our plate to worry about it.
Besides, we are saving something so it will be OK. Think again.
Remember when we were 20, 40 seemed a lifetime away? As sure as you will/have hit 40, retirement will happen, too. And sooner than you think (which is good or bad, depending on how you have planned it).
Things ain't what they used to be
Most of us have been brought up with the vague notion that just as our grandparents did, we will retire in our sixties when we are forced out of employment, and that as long as we are putting away some savings, we will somehow manage a comfortable retirement. But exactly what is it you are saving for? Things aren't as they used to be, and we are facing a much different retirement scenario than our grandparents. With the rising costs of inflation, the trend towards a nuclear family and the propensity to live longer, retirement could be a long, hard stretch if we don't get the planning right. Government aid and our CPF funds are not going to go far when we could live 30-40 years beyond retirement!
Think financial independence, not retirement
Who says you have to retire at 62? If you have the funds to retire before, why not?
These days, we think in terms of financial independence rather than retirement. Financial independence is an actively planned for state where you become free from financial obligations and are self sufficient without having to work for an income. When you are financially independent, you can choose when to retire. You can be financially free at 45 and choose to work because you love your job, or retire and start living the retirement life you planned. But that's just it!
Without a plan, it's simply not going to happen. Make a plan that makes it real
It's time now to create a very clear picture of when you wish to retire (remember it can be earlier than 62 if you plan it right now!) and the lifestyle you wish to pursue upon retirement. What are your financial commitments now? What commitments will you have in the future (e.g. your children's education)? Factor in the costs of rising inflation, escalating medical costs and the luxury of travel and visualise the average day in your life when retired. Your next step is to contact a financial advisor that won't just try to sell you products. You need a financial advisor that will listen to your plans and goals, will sit down with you and will devise a financial plan that will make your retirement plan work. A good financial advisor will recommend the financial tools that are going to get the job done. A vague plan is no planHowever, if retirement to you is a vague dream, your financial advisor is going to be as much in the dark as you are.
Don't plan to fail by failing to plan.
Visualise your future goals now, and let your financial advisor set you on target to live the long, comfortable retirement of your dreams!
"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough." ~Mae West
Quite simple it's intangible. It's too far off and we can't quite see ourselves retired. It's one of those things that will come around one day, but until it does, we have too much else on our plate to worry about it.
Besides, we are saving something so it will be OK. Think again.
Remember when we were 20, 40 seemed a lifetime away? As sure as you will/have hit 40, retirement will happen, too. And sooner than you think (which is good or bad, depending on how you have planned it).
Things ain't what they used to be
Most of us have been brought up with the vague notion that just as our grandparents did, we will retire in our sixties when we are forced out of employment, and that as long as we are putting away some savings, we will somehow manage a comfortable retirement. But exactly what is it you are saving for? Things aren't as they used to be, and we are facing a much different retirement scenario than our grandparents. With the rising costs of inflation, the trend towards a nuclear family and the propensity to live longer, retirement could be a long, hard stretch if we don't get the planning right. Government aid and our CPF funds are not going to go far when we could live 30-40 years beyond retirement!
Think financial independence, not retirement
Who says you have to retire at 62? If you have the funds to retire before, why not?
These days, we think in terms of financial independence rather than retirement. Financial independence is an actively planned for state where you become free from financial obligations and are self sufficient without having to work for an income. When you are financially independent, you can choose when to retire. You can be financially free at 45 and choose to work because you love your job, or retire and start living the retirement life you planned. But that's just it!
Without a plan, it's simply not going to happen. Make a plan that makes it real
It's time now to create a very clear picture of when you wish to retire (remember it can be earlier than 62 if you plan it right now!) and the lifestyle you wish to pursue upon retirement. What are your financial commitments now? What commitments will you have in the future (e.g. your children's education)? Factor in the costs of rising inflation, escalating medical costs and the luxury of travel and visualise the average day in your life when retired. Your next step is to contact a financial advisor that won't just try to sell you products. You need a financial advisor that will listen to your plans and goals, will sit down with you and will devise a financial plan that will make your retirement plan work. A good financial advisor will recommend the financial tools that are going to get the job done. A vague plan is no planHowever, if retirement to you is a vague dream, your financial advisor is going to be as much in the dark as you are.
Don't plan to fail by failing to plan.
Visualise your future goals now, and let your financial advisor set you on target to live the long, comfortable retirement of your dreams!
"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough." ~Mae West
Opportunity
We can all learn a lesson about recognizing opportunity and making the most of a "bad" situation, from Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Airways.
His airline got its start partly because of a last minute flight cancellation.
When his flight to Puerto Rico was cancelled at the last minute, he found a company he could charter a jet from for $2000. Figuring the cost per seat in the jet, he borrowed a blackboard, wrote "Virgin Airlines, $39 single flight to Puerto Rico" and walked around the airport with it.
He filled every seat on the plane, and a new company was born!
How often do we see only the "bad" side of a situation?
Being successful in life and in your business requires that you seize the day. Turn issues into opportunities and negative experiences into new positive processes!
"I am only one, but still I am one; I cannot do everything; but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." ~ Edward Everett Hale
His airline got its start partly because of a last minute flight cancellation.
When his flight to Puerto Rico was cancelled at the last minute, he found a company he could charter a jet from for $2000. Figuring the cost per seat in the jet, he borrowed a blackboard, wrote "Virgin Airlines, $39 single flight to Puerto Rico" and walked around the airport with it.
He filled every seat on the plane, and a new company was born!
How often do we see only the "bad" side of a situation?
Being successful in life and in your business requires that you seize the day. Turn issues into opportunities and negative experiences into new positive processes!
"I am only one, but still I am one; I cannot do everything; but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." ~ Edward Everett Hale
No Pain No Gain
No P ain No G ain... Accept the Pain, THE Future will be Fruitful...
Don't feel the work you are doing is P ain, because there will always BE a reason for that Pain or work.
Everything happen, happen !! for a reason.
So face the Pain, for the Pain you face, there will definitely BE happiness ahead.
Do not BE afraid to lose now, FOR YOU will Gain MORE later.
Everthing Do Happen for A Reason...
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Relief Rain
Hey, SCB sent me a cheque for $112+. Now some money came back.... interesting.
As the year is coming to a close now, need to review... and check my bearing once again. Hmm, got a couple of new friends, gadgets, played a new game. Got myself onto some new courses and embarking on a new career plan (hopefully)... many things have happened these 51 weeks.
I hope that my dream will come true in 2008!
As the year is coming to a close now, need to review... and check my bearing once again. Hmm, got a couple of new friends, gadgets, played a new game. Got myself onto some new courses and embarking on a new career plan (hopefully)... many things have happened these 51 weeks.
I hope that my dream will come true in 2008!
Farewell
Today we had a simle farewell makan for a longtime friend and colleague. She has made her choice to join another department. I feel she is heading in the right direction. Sometimes, one may have to deliberate between choices in life but most people do not like to make detours. Everyone wants to head in the right direction all the time and even if there are temporary roadblocks, one would also want to make all the right decisions in life, even if it means standing still.
Anyway, my friend has made a choice for her career. It is hard to let her go because she has been one of the best ones we've had for a long time. Fortunately, she is leaving us, or we will continue to exploit her. Hehe. Phillip was sad too. He tried dissuading her but failed. That has been her choice and I know it has been tough for her to make that choice too. I never blame her and I hope she doesn't feel bad. We just feel as if we had lost an arm or something ....
Wonder who will be leaving next...
Anyway, my friend has made a choice for her career. It is hard to let her go because she has been one of the best ones we've had for a long time. Fortunately, she is leaving us, or we will continue to exploit her. Hehe. Phillip was sad too. He tried dissuading her but failed. That has been her choice and I know it has been tough for her to make that choice too. I never blame her and I hope she doesn't feel bad. We just feel as if we had lost an arm or something ....
Wonder who will be leaving next...
Saturday, December 08, 2007
TEN LAWS of GROWTH - Dr Dan Sullivan
1. Always make your future bigger than your past
2. Always make your learning greater than your experience
3. Always make your contribution bigger than your reward
4. Always make your performance greater than your applause
5. Always make your gratitude greater than your success
6. Always make your enjoyment greater than your effort
7. Always make your cooperation greater than your status
8. Always make your confidence greater than your comfort
9. Always make your purpose greater than your money
10. Always make your questions bigger than your answers
2. Always make your learning greater than your experience
3. Always make your contribution bigger than your reward
4. Always make your performance greater than your applause
5. Always make your gratitude greater than your success
6. Always make your enjoyment greater than your effort
7. Always make your cooperation greater than your status
8. Always make your confidence greater than your comfort
9. Always make your purpose greater than your money
10. Always make your questions bigger than your answers
Human Society
Orca society is a complex one. The males live up to 50 yrs while the females more than 80. This explains why Orca society is a matriachal society. The females are more experienced.
The Orcas are such proficient hunters. They spend only 10% of their time hunting. The rest of the time is spent playing or teaching their young.
Hmm.... how much time we spend on family and our young? It says so much about how proficient we are at "food-finding". Ultimately, human existence in the raw means putting food on the table. But human society has become so complex that in the process of finding food, humans have to go into some form of exchanges ... thereby giving 'food' to another in order to obtain 'food' for one's own table. Complicated huh?
From birth, we spend about 20 years learning how to get and/or stay at a good job. For the most of us, the first 20 years of education we get probably can only equipe us to get a jobs in our own locality/culture. Although my certs and experience may get me a job in another country (thankfully) but certainly, not forever, unless I enrol myself into some kind of Continuing Professional Development. At my department, we often hear about CPD, IDP, PDS, and ROLE EXTENSION. Well, one has to get one's role extended in order to justify for more bread on the table.
Anyway, must check out how much of my time has been invested in finding food on my table vs time I spend with/for my family. But one stark reality (and no debate) is: as we grow up, our idea of what fun is actually gets more and more vague. That's for sure. You may say that adult form of 'fun' will probably get more and more sober.
The other harsh reality is that as one psycho-emotional self matures, one's physical being ages. As the latter provides the bedsoil from which the 'higher self' blossoms, there will also come a point in time when both must diminish over a certain point. Mind you, there is definitely an 'expiry date' fixed for us. Like the butterfly that first emerges from its moult, our capabilities must expand as fast as possible before our physical forms and our will get hardened.
The Orcas are such proficient hunters. They spend only 10% of their time hunting. The rest of the time is spent playing or teaching their young.
Hmm.... how much time we spend on family and our young? It says so much about how proficient we are at "food-finding". Ultimately, human existence in the raw means putting food on the table. But human society has become so complex that in the process of finding food, humans have to go into some form of exchanges ... thereby giving 'food' to another in order to obtain 'food' for one's own table. Complicated huh?
From birth, we spend about 20 years learning how to get and/or stay at a good job. For the most of us, the first 20 years of education we get probably can only equipe us to get a jobs in our own locality/culture. Although my certs and experience may get me a job in another country (thankfully) but certainly, not forever, unless I enrol myself into some kind of Continuing Professional Development. At my department, we often hear about CPD, IDP, PDS, and ROLE EXTENSION. Well, one has to get one's role extended in order to justify for more bread on the table.
Anyway, must check out how much of my time has been invested in finding food on my table vs time I spend with/for my family. But one stark reality (and no debate) is: as we grow up, our idea of what fun is actually gets more and more vague. That's for sure. You may say that adult form of 'fun' will probably get more and more sober.
The other harsh reality is that as one psycho-emotional self matures, one's physical being ages. As the latter provides the bedsoil from which the 'higher self' blossoms, there will also come a point in time when both must diminish over a certain point. Mind you, there is definitely an 'expiry date' fixed for us. Like the butterfly that first emerges from its moult, our capabilities must expand as fast as possible before our physical forms and our will get hardened.
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Life is a joke you should try to enjoy while you can
Went for a haircut today, finally. Strange, it seems that now I have been counting the days. Since when I started counting, I can't remember.
Well, Life does seem like a joke sometimes. At least to me. It just seems that way, I don't know and that joke has been on me sometimes. Like I have said, "sometimes". Not everytime. But even when I see that the same joke has befallen somebody else and I see her crying her heart out, I don't think I could enjoy the joke either. Distasteful. Or sick...... Hmm, how do the angels look at it? How does God feel about it?
Sometimes I wish that things would go well for everyone, at least sometimes during the time when he or she will be well enough to enjoy them. What's the use of giving an elderly a 1-million-dollar toto windfall but let him watch his children fighting tooth and nail over the inheritance?
I attended a lesson (a trainer from Dale Carnegie Training Institute) just a week ago. He said that some people are desperately needing a break everynight. "There are 30m people hungry tonight in USA, and possibly every other night." We only remember the images of rich Americans through the TV or movie. 90% of 300 million Americans are the Americans we know of today. They are he "Ok" people, probably the "average American family" type with house, car, and a job. But there are 10% who are jobless, possibly homeless, and hungry. And not insured. They live in squatters, tunnels, and wherever to make ends meet. There are 30 million people hungry. From Winter to Summer. A population 6 times the size of Singapore.
Now, these are the sums. Consider India. 450 million people. 150 million more than that of USA.
Or a population 30times that of Singapore. The rich makes up 10%.
"In the United States at the end of 2001, 10% of the population owned 71% of the wealth, and the top 1% controlled 38%. On the other hand, the bottom 40% owned less than 1% of the nation's wealth."
How would you feel if you had nothing better to do but watch what the poor have to eat everynight? The reality is sad and too harsh that many people do not think about it. Wait until the government decides to raise fuel cost by 500%. In my country, we are probably doing it in a much better way. While I support the slight increase in prices at a pace "we" can cope with, I am beginning to worry about those who can't in the end and they fall out of the average "we". If I split Singapore into 4 parts. 1 million plus have the income means to live the Singapore "shop-till-you-drop" live. 1 million plus are too young or too old, and possible dependent on the 1 million plus who are asset-rich but heavy in recurring debts, waiting for a major catestrophe to wipe out their savings. That's why I am grateful to last 1 million plus foreigners who believe Singapore is a great place to try.
Anyway, maybe I have been working at the same damn place for too long! I have known some good folks who were joking with you at one time and the next thing, they were dead. Before long, I will probably need to apply and pay for a permit to bury myself. Life on earth is no longer a free thing... my thanks to Adam and Eve.
The bible told of the beginning when Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden (where everything then was FREE). Subsequently, the land on which Adam toiled with all his life will end up in futility. That was the probably where the free lunch offer ended.
Well, Life does seem like a joke sometimes. At least to me. It just seems that way, I don't know and that joke has been on me sometimes. Like I have said, "sometimes". Not everytime. But even when I see that the same joke has befallen somebody else and I see her crying her heart out, I don't think I could enjoy the joke either. Distasteful. Or sick...... Hmm, how do the angels look at it? How does God feel about it?
Sometimes I wish that things would go well for everyone, at least sometimes during the time when he or she will be well enough to enjoy them. What's the use of giving an elderly a 1-million-dollar toto windfall but let him watch his children fighting tooth and nail over the inheritance?
I attended a lesson (a trainer from Dale Carnegie Training Institute) just a week ago. He said that some people are desperately needing a break everynight. "There are 30m people hungry tonight in USA, and possibly every other night." We only remember the images of rich Americans through the TV or movie. 90% of 300 million Americans are the Americans we know of today. They are he "Ok" people, probably the "average American family" type with house, car, and a job. But there are 10% who are jobless, possibly homeless, and hungry. And not insured. They live in squatters, tunnels, and wherever to make ends meet. There are 30 million people hungry. From Winter to Summer. A population 6 times the size of Singapore.
Now, these are the sums. Consider India. 450 million people. 150 million more than that of USA.
Or a population 30times that of Singapore. The rich makes up 10%.
"In the United States at the end of 2001, 10% of the population owned 71% of the wealth, and the top 1% controlled 38%. On the other hand, the bottom 40% owned less than 1% of the nation's wealth."
How would you feel if you had nothing better to do but watch what the poor have to eat everynight? The reality is sad and too harsh that many people do not think about it. Wait until the government decides to raise fuel cost by 500%. In my country, we are probably doing it in a much better way. While I support the slight increase in prices at a pace "we" can cope with, I am beginning to worry about those who can't in the end and they fall out of the average "we". If I split Singapore into 4 parts. 1 million plus have the income means to live the Singapore "shop-till-you-drop" live. 1 million plus are too young or too old, and possible dependent on the 1 million plus who are asset-rich but heavy in recurring debts, waiting for a major catestrophe to wipe out their savings. That's why I am grateful to last 1 million plus foreigners who believe Singapore is a great place to try.
Anyway, maybe I have been working at the same damn place for too long! I have known some good folks who were joking with you at one time and the next thing, they were dead. Before long, I will probably need to apply and pay for a permit to bury myself. Life on earth is no longer a free thing... my thanks to Adam and Eve.
The bible told of the beginning when Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden (where everything then was FREE). Subsequently, the land on which Adam toiled with all his life will end up in futility. That was the probably where the free lunch offer ended.
Friday, November 30, 2007
I am glad the auditors are finally leaving. Of course they had left out more homework for us all. Some remedial works. But on the whole, I am glad it is all over.
I do not know how others take their problems and stresses in life but well, I always have this feeling that God has been watching over me and my problems aren't actually the biggest. Sometimes I wished I could pinpoint for sure how all these happened over the last decade, but looking back, memories of some of the near-fatal incidences had frightened myself.
I can still recall one incident while I was driving a landrover up a mountain pass during my army stint in Taiwan. When you drive uphill, you cannot see the road in front of your windscreen. You really look into the sky! When you go downslope, you must not brake suddenly. What makes this kind of driving insane is that the mountain routes aren't straight. They can turn left and right even if you are driving in a certain direction and the roads are marked with potholes you have to try avoid driving your wheels over. To make a long story short, the vehicle I drove nearly went down a cliff! It had one of its front wheeel hanging in the air.
I do not know how others take their problems and stresses in life but well, I always have this feeling that God has been watching over me and my problems aren't actually the biggest. Sometimes I wished I could pinpoint for sure how all these happened over the last decade, but looking back, memories of some of the near-fatal incidences had frightened myself.
I can still recall one incident while I was driving a landrover up a mountain pass during my army stint in Taiwan. When you drive uphill, you cannot see the road in front of your windscreen. You really look into the sky! When you go downslope, you must not brake suddenly. What makes this kind of driving insane is that the mountain routes aren't straight. They can turn left and right even if you are driving in a certain direction and the roads are marked with potholes you have to try avoid driving your wheels over. To make a long story short, the vehicle I drove nearly went down a cliff! It had one of its front wheeel hanging in the air.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Circle Game
"Yesterday a child came out to wander
Caught a dragonfly inside a jar
Fearful when the sky was full of thunder
Fearful at the falling of a star
And the seasons, they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We're captives on the carousel of time
We can't return, we can only look
Behind from where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game."
My favourite song still. Time really flies so fast. This week, I had been asked to show a few JC students around the department and let them have a glimpse of what radiography/radiology is like. As I walked with them, there was a feeling of nostalgia inside me... Time really flew! When was the last time I was mugging for my exams? A&P, Equipment, KC Clark's Positioning and Radiographic Techniques, and of course, Chesney's book on Processing!! And good o' Mr Chin also.... Thinking back, I must thank him. In a way, I turned out ok partly becos of him. I could have gone in to do Physiotherapy. Or chiro... and maybe living somewhere with an angmoh by now somewhere in US or Canada. Who knows.
Anyway.... I think this is the 49th (???) Saturday that I have both been looking forward to and dreading it at the same time. Same for Christmas. I wish time would stand still someday for me! And I could live all my life within that moment!! If I had that power to hold down Time anytime, I could live my life many times over. Alas, I can't. So, I thought I better do blogs ..... and I think the digital me would last much longer.
How about it, the author could have died many years ago and we could be reading his works and feeling him around as if he is still alive and kicking today.
The only BIG reason I blog today is becos I feel that time is too short. The clock ticks so fast. By the time I am donw iwht this page, it will probably be time to lie down and hopefully, sleep. Can't do much. A few years ago, I would hang out around my favourite places, like JB (Jalan Besar), Sim Lim, Peninsula Plaza. Some years earlier, I would be hanging out around Borders, or Pulau Ubin, or Tampines Mall, or Katong/Parkway. I was never a "Orchard kid" even though I did stay with my cousins who used to live right next to Orchard Cineleisure. Can still remember the poor security officer coming to complain to my aunt concerning her son.... haha. When we were kids the stretch from CK Tang or Scots down to Cathay would be our "playground". Califronia Fitness wasn't around then. We would walk down that road towards the community centre opposite Meridien for our hapkido lessons. During the weekends, we would be playing sliding down the slopes behind the then-known as "Mandarin" Hotel.
We have mellowed down alot by now. Don't know what my cousins and old schoolfriends are all doing now, but here I am, Blogging. But I am blogging mainly for myself, some of my closer friends, and also my family, becos one day, who knows, I might use "opayasom" for my CV upstairs (hopefully). haha.. yea, I am bad. But my friend used to encourage me, "Good kid, bad kid, still a kid." When I was small, I was the kind of kid that needed more caning and knocks on the head. Funny, my teachers liked me. Especially the ones who were known to be fierce... This is still a puzzle to me.
I am blogging from my own recollections for my future recall. Someday, it might be a cure for my amnesia. Or for my good friends who might someday find the time to read. I hope these will last longer than my human existence... and as long as anyone would like to have me remembered by. Basically, I do not mind being stored in someone's CD collections or harddisk. In the near future, I am hoping to include a photoblog site as well so that I could save more words. Still trying to organise my collections. But I guess writing is easier than uploading images... becos, I can write nonsense and post them. With images, one tends to be more picky, as if there is a need to impress or a need to avoid lawsuits .... and so one would choose photos carefully. etc etc. Just my thought.
I am sad because time really pass so fast. Wish I could one day slow the carousel down... I do not wish to live forever... but I do not wish to lose anyone I love. To me, there is no point living forever if you have to live without the ones you love.
Caught a dragonfly inside a jar
Fearful when the sky was full of thunder
Fearful at the falling of a star
And the seasons, they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We're captives on the carousel of time
We can't return, we can only look
Behind from where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game."
My favourite song still. Time really flies so fast. This week, I had been asked to show a few JC students around the department and let them have a glimpse of what radiography/radiology is like. As I walked with them, there was a feeling of nostalgia inside me... Time really flew! When was the last time I was mugging for my exams? A&P, Equipment, KC Clark's Positioning and Radiographic Techniques, and of course, Chesney's book on Processing!! And good o' Mr Chin also.... Thinking back, I must thank him. In a way, I turned out ok partly becos of him. I could have gone in to do Physiotherapy. Or chiro... and maybe living somewhere with an angmoh by now somewhere in US or Canada. Who knows.
Anyway.... I think this is the 49th (???) Saturday that I have both been looking forward to and dreading it at the same time. Same for Christmas. I wish time would stand still someday for me! And I could live all my life within that moment!! If I had that power to hold down Time anytime, I could live my life many times over. Alas, I can't. So, I thought I better do blogs ..... and I think the digital me would last much longer.
How about it, the author could have died many years ago and we could be reading his works and feeling him around as if he is still alive and kicking today.
The only BIG reason I blog today is becos I feel that time is too short. The clock ticks so fast. By the time I am donw iwht this page, it will probably be time to lie down and hopefully, sleep. Can't do much. A few years ago, I would hang out around my favourite places, like JB (Jalan Besar), Sim Lim, Peninsula Plaza. Some years earlier, I would be hanging out around Borders, or Pulau Ubin, or Tampines Mall, or Katong/Parkway. I was never a "Orchard kid" even though I did stay with my cousins who used to live right next to Orchard Cineleisure. Can still remember the poor security officer coming to complain to my aunt concerning her son.... haha. When we were kids the stretch from CK Tang or Scots down to Cathay would be our "playground". Califronia Fitness wasn't around then. We would walk down that road towards the community centre opposite Meridien for our hapkido lessons. During the weekends, we would be playing sliding down the slopes behind the then-known as "Mandarin" Hotel.
We have mellowed down alot by now. Don't know what my cousins and old schoolfriends are all doing now, but here I am, Blogging. But I am blogging mainly for myself, some of my closer friends, and also my family, becos one day, who knows, I might use "opayasom" for my CV upstairs (hopefully). haha.. yea, I am bad. But my friend used to encourage me, "Good kid, bad kid, still a kid." When I was small, I was the kind of kid that needed more caning and knocks on the head. Funny, my teachers liked me. Especially the ones who were known to be fierce... This is still a puzzle to me.
I am blogging from my own recollections for my future recall. Someday, it might be a cure for my amnesia. Or for my good friends who might someday find the time to read. I hope these will last longer than my human existence... and as long as anyone would like to have me remembered by. Basically, I do not mind being stored in someone's CD collections or harddisk. In the near future, I am hoping to include a photoblog site as well so that I could save more words. Still trying to organise my collections. But I guess writing is easier than uploading images... becos, I can write nonsense and post them. With images, one tends to be more picky, as if there is a need to impress or a need to avoid lawsuits .... and so one would choose photos carefully. etc etc. Just my thought.
I am sad because time really pass so fast. Wish I could one day slow the carousel down... I do not wish to live forever... but I do not wish to lose anyone I love. To me, there is no point living forever if you have to live without the ones you love.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Nikon D300
Got myself a few CDs this evening. You probably won't understand it but I like Indian/Hindi/Punjabi music. A lot... Asian Club Night, Bumbay Nights, etc. I find percussion and rythmic vocals very interesting... the kind that you would also tend to feel if you stand on the Salsa floor. Used to like new age like Polar Shift, etc.... but strange tho, the music I tend to like now seem to be getting more and more upbeat....
Anyway, my friend has just bought the D300!!! $2700. The gadget is really SOMETHING! Very tempted to sell off all my sets and convert to this one. How much can my D50+lens fetch? How about adding on my Sony DSC828? Still at least $700 short to even get the body. But then, among its features, it can go beyond ISO 3200! Maybe that's for those who would like to shoot in the dark (without flash). Perhaps I should focus on my D50 for a while more and wait till the price drops some more...
Anyway, my friend has just bought the D300!!! $2700. The gadget is really SOMETHING! Very tempted to sell off all my sets and convert to this one. How much can my D50+lens fetch? How about adding on my Sony DSC828? Still at least $700 short to even get the body. But then, among its features, it can go beyond ISO 3200! Maybe that's for those who would like to shoot in the dark (without flash). Perhaps I should focus on my D50 for a while more and wait till the price drops some more...
Saturday, November 17, 2007
dairy of a scattered-brain
Going to take up an exam by the end of this month ... But I haven't had time to really get down to studying yet!! I am grateful to Fenella for her encouragements. Maybe I should just give it a shot and see how it goes. Who knows, this could really be a new me in the making.
Signed up for some courses over the past 2 months on my own. (I do feel bad about lettinng Dr Jurgen down.... but I promise I MUST get back on my feet.) I tend to get drifted away to another project before the first one is really completed. Must handle my time-management very well or else, what actually gives will have to be those that I need to put into practise. So, as the saying goes, "all theories but no practise .... " I am a slow learner. The things taught to me need time to simmer and slowly sink in... I think I do have a good memory (sometimes - haha) but let me explain why I think so about my kind of "memory".
Sometimes, when you look back, you suddenly get to realise some of the old lessons that have been taught to you long ago and now you feel you finally understood them in practical forms. Maybe I could have sort of 4-compartment brain ...:) like the cows. Still, you might think that means I am dumb. Whatever... slow I learn, that is, and you are also entitled to your views about me.
Anyway the sit-in lessons from the gurus have been really great and I can say I have learnt a lot. Now I think I can say that I can comprehend GREEKS if someone would care to teach me more about it!!!
Phillip has just returned from Egypt. Haven't got to see his travel shots. Especially of a weird Kuwaiti man and the 3 German Spice Girls. Wish I could do travel shots one day too. Perhaps next weekend, I shall test out the new lens I got last week. Tamron 2.8. My next one (for Christmas : a telezoom piece with an IS and 2.8 or 3.5). Now, FIND MONEY!
Will have to ask someone to help me with my namecards .. :)
Signed up for some courses over the past 2 months on my own. (I do feel bad about lettinng Dr Jurgen down.... but I promise I MUST get back on my feet.) I tend to get drifted away to another project before the first one is really completed. Must handle my time-management very well or else, what actually gives will have to be those that I need to put into practise. So, as the saying goes, "all theories but no practise .... " I am a slow learner. The things taught to me need time to simmer and slowly sink in... I think I do have a good memory (sometimes - haha) but let me explain why I think so about my kind of "memory".
Sometimes, when you look back, you suddenly get to realise some of the old lessons that have been taught to you long ago and now you feel you finally understood them in practical forms. Maybe I could have sort of 4-compartment brain ...:) like the cows. Still, you might think that means I am dumb. Whatever... slow I learn, that is, and you are also entitled to your views about me.
Anyway the sit-in lessons from the gurus have been really great and I can say I have learnt a lot. Now I think I can say that I can comprehend GREEKS if someone would care to teach me more about it!!!
Phillip has just returned from Egypt. Haven't got to see his travel shots. Especially of a weird Kuwaiti man and the 3 German Spice Girls. Wish I could do travel shots one day too. Perhaps next weekend, I shall test out the new lens I got last week. Tamron 2.8. My next one (for Christmas : a telezoom piece with an IS and 2.8 or 3.5). Now, FIND MONEY!
Will have to ask someone to help me with my namecards .. :)
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Forgiveness
"Forgiveness is the economy of the heart...
Forgiveness saves the expense of anger, the cost of hatred, the waste of spirits."
~ Hannah Moore
Sometimes it is harder to forget than to forgive... that's probably going to be some kind of a dilemma.
Forgiveness saves the expense of anger, the cost of hatred, the waste of spirits."
~ Hannah Moore
Sometimes it is harder to forget than to forgive... that's probably going to be some kind of a dilemma.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
10 Aristotlean Virtues of Leadership
The 10 Aristotlean virtues of leadership (by philosopher and author Tom Morris):
1. Courage
2. Temperance
3. Liberality
4. Magnificence
5. Pride
6. Good temper
7. Friendliness
8. Truthfulness
9. Wittiness
10. Justice
hmmm...
1. Courage
2. Temperance
3. Liberality
4. Magnificence
5. Pride
6. Good temper
7. Friendliness
8. Truthfulness
9. Wittiness
10. Justice
hmmm...
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