Physical and moral courage

THERE comes a time or times in an individual's life when moral courage puts a person on at the crossroads. Bravery comes in several forms. There is the visually obvious physical courage like saving a person from drowning or rescuing a child from a burning building.
Then there is the "less obvious" phenomenon, much quieter form of courage called moral courage. Moral courage is drastically lacking in the modern world and I shout it from the rooftop.
A lack of moral courage is seen when a person refuses to stand up for his principles for fear of getting the sack, a dressing-down or possible ridicule from his peers.
Moral courage means standing up for something that you think is right. It demands a mental discipline of the first order. It does not call for a "stiff upper lip", just a mental resolve will do, thank you.
When you see your grandma standing up for you (when you were a child)against the neighbourhood bully and telling him or her off in her sternest voice, it's called moral courage. When your dad writes an angry letter to his state councillor, complaining about that gentleman's neglect of the neighbourhood and that matter will go up to the highest authority in the land, that is moral courage.
Moral courage is not seen the physical size of any person nor is it the monopoly of any gender. Moral courage can be displayed by a child of seven, just as it could easily be shown by a grandma of 80. It's what you have in your heart and soul.
There are lots of people with physical courage. It takes a bit of self-arrogance (maybe) and confidence in your own God-given abilities. Compared to moral courage, physical courage is in a different field.
Moral courage demands a higher price. It could meant incarceration. It could invite ostracisation. It could beg for a lifetime of isolation. Yes, the price for displaying moral courage can indeed be very high.
Who among us has not felt the weakness in our knees in instances when we had more to lose than to gain and all the situation calls for is a simple display of moral courage.
Today, the number of people who have moral courage is sadly lacking. If you want proof, just look read the newspapers. Wherever tyrants rule the roost, there's moral courage lacking in that land. Where's there's corruption, moral courage is absent in that nation or society.
The world cries out loud for moral courage among men everyday but where are these brave individuals when they are so sorely needed? Heaven helps us all. In the end, it begins with us. If one of us starts to show some signs of moral courage, it may help to strengthen the resolve of others who are standing on the sideline.
The time is now. The place is where you are. The occasion is everyday. We must do it for our future. Our very survival as human beings depends on our moral courage to live the way we want it, the best we can and the best we should be.

Turbulence in the solar system

Are we still living in the Age of the Aquarius? I don't know. I only know we are definitely deep in the heartland of computers and tumbling towards the edge of chaos as far as winds, heat and water are concerned.
I will never thought I will live to see the day when our planet, the third rock from the sun, goes into thoes of finding climatic balance from month to month. Chunks of mountains come sliding down on unsuspecting villages and its sleeping residents. Giant walls of water rising from the ocean to reclaim land that it called its own millions of years ago.
In the event of this phenomenon, hundreds of thousands of human lives are washed away along with the debris in the horrible wake of a tsunami.
Over in the East, near the Equator, the sun scorches the earth. The wind seems to have gone into hibernation and the land becomes well cooked like a chicken in an oven.
What's troubling Mother Earth? Even the scientists are puzzled. They can only predict to some degree of accuracy where the hurricanes and typhoons will turn when they appear on satellite images.
Are all these natural phenomena? Ask God, say some people. Tell God, say others who swear by piety and all that's holy. But earth continues to spin out of control. Perhaps this is a tad exaggerating. However, there's no denying that with Nature taking its own revenge on people who have cursed the earth with their own insensitivity and recklessness.
There's definitely turbulence in the air. Troubled waters are flowing under many bridges. Men in general are beginning to stir with a concern that has laid dormant for generations. From Iceland to Australia, the ground on which men has built his home, has begin to stir.
What are these signs? What are they telling us? Climatologists, even if they really know what's going on, are not telling. But it is undeniable that something is amiss with Earth.
If Mother Nature wreaks havoc on the ground where she has many subjects, noe of us, including the animals, will have anywhere to hide. It is be vicious and swift for some. Others will have used their wits to survive a troubled earth.
The immortal line emerges: Are we living in the last days? Sure, some of the troubling signs are there but are they also should be accepted as gospel truth. The consolation is that man's will to live is the strongest at history's most crucial hour.
We will probably survive some major holocaust but how long can we hold up. The answers and solutions to earth's woes do not lie with the scientists and politicians but in the hearts of every individuals. We will have to change our mindsets if we want to rechange te world.
If we lost one-third of earth's populations in some global catalsymic upheavel, the history of mankind will careen off into another direction. We will have to take stock of our mistakes. For example, the damage done by man to Mother Earth.
There's really no point in debating which country is the bigger culprit when all you have are bodies to bury on the day after.
Perhaps I am too pessimistic but like many others around the world, I too am not blind to the danger signs blatantly exhibited by Earth and the solar system. The question is: are we too late?

The Day After I Retire

FEW of us actually think of the days after we retire. The normal age for retirement around the world is 55. In more developed nations, the retirement age has been pushed up to 60. In other nations where the experience and contribution of the senior citizens are considered important, the retirement age is now 65.
But that is not what I want to talk about today. When a person retires, whether of his own free will, or whether it has been imposed on him by his organisation, his life takes on a different meaning.
I have a friend who is now about 65. He has been thinking of what he would do from the day he first started working at the age of about 19. He told me that his father gave him this advice: "Son, you should start thinking what you want to do the day you begin your first day of work."
Being an obedient son, he did just that. When he retired at the age of 55 from the same organisation I am working in, he was off to a flying start. He is constantly on the move. He is busy with his own projects because he has planned them about 40 years ago.
Today, he has not time to ponder over his future because he is already living it. Being his friend, I have learnt from his example except that I haven't been planning on what I should do after I retire.
Now, on the threshold of my "easy years", I look ahead and see infinite possibilities. Can a man run out of ideas of what he should or could do with his life after 55 or 65? Truthfully, I think not.
But like all human beings, we have a tendency to pick the easy way out. We want ot put our feet up and take a breather. The trouble is our "breather" can last anything from six months to the rest of our mortal life.
Relaxation is just another word of chickening out. The people who die with a smile on their face are usually the ones who are too busy with their daily lives to be contemplating on life ever after.
For me, I plan to write at least two books; go fishing at all my favourite spots and travel to at least three countries. If I plan it out well, I should be able to spend the next 20 years in an extremely happy mood. My wife is also keen to share my dreams.
Everything good begins with a dream. First, there must be a desire. Then, there has to be a commitment and finally, make a move to make it all come true. Many ordinary working people say "I will do this when I retire and have the time." This remark is so common, that it is no longer interesting or funny.
"After I retire" has become a bad phrase. Why wait till you retire. Why not do it soon, or better still, do it now? A lot of colleagues of mine have professed to do this and that, and then unexpectedly they die. Death is not shocking but it tends to spoil your plans.
We are all living from day to day because there exist circumstances that are beyond our control. I am already living part of my retirement plan. I just returned from venturing to a place that I have talked about but have never been. Well, now I can tell you that I have tasted the nectar from the tree of life.
The result is amazing. I feel better, even happy with myself that I have been there, seen it, done it!! I can now add that to my list of things to do. The people who are happiest with their current circumstances are those who act upon their dreams and dream of matters they will experience.
We constantly advise our friends and family members on what to do with their lives but we also frequently forget to follow our own advice. When we are asked about this, our standard reply is "Wait till the time is right." Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to tell you that there's no "right time". Anytime that you decide to do something is the right time.
One of my most irritating pieces of advice to myself is "I will read this book or that book when I have plenty of time". Consequently over the decades I have neglected to read some of the most beautiful books ever written. My private library has thousands of books. At least one-third of them have been left untouched by me.
But I have since begun to resolve this matter. The last couple of years have seen me digesting the contents of some of my favourite books. Each time I finish one, I will jot the title down as a reminder that I have taken another step in an adventure that I can call my very own.
I have begun to spend some hard earned money on some much desire stuff. Buddha has advised all his devotees that we do not place too much importance on impermanent things. How right he was. But as life is, we are in constant need of amusements.
Amuse yourself but don't be obsessed by it. I am still continuing on my journey and it has been proven to be quite exciting so far.

10 ordinary cures for boredom

Individuals are constantly complaining of being bored. And this is apparently the perogrative of the younger generation. "Oh, I am simply bored out of my skull!" is one of those ubiquitous phrases.
"Is nothing happening out there!" clocks in as a close No. 2 on the famous boring remarks. Well, look no further than this page because there are simple cures for this common ailment if you are up to it.

1. Take out your address book and look for the number of the person who least expect you to call and phone him or her. If you are asked the reason for the call, just tell the truth - that you feel like doing it. You will be surprised how much mileage you can get out of a five-minute conversation. People normally don't time off to do ordinary, painless acts like phoning another person for no apparent reason at all. There are thousands of lonely souls out there, sometimes praying that somebody should call them. They too are as bored as you, then why not you take the initiative and watch how life plays out this Act.

2. Write a letter to your auntie, uncle, grandma or grandpa (they are still around). You know the older set likes to know that the world has not gone on by and forgotten all about them. I have done it a few times in the past and I received return calls telling me how much my letters are appreciated. The old folks live for moments like that - the sudden, unexpected letter showing up at their mailbox. Sometimes, they get an absolute thrill of knowing that somewhere across the country or maybe even in the next county, a relative thinks of them at the most unexpected moments. It doesn't matter if they are a roomful of money, they are still people. Money can't buy everything. Letters are free. Try it and experience the joy of bringing it to others.

3. Get a hobby. I have several. In fact at this stage in my life, my wife is astounded that I have so many hobbies and the younger generation seems to be so unadventurous. It is really up to you. Perhaps you develop a sudden interest in silent movies, or it could be a passion of a particular species of African flowers. Once you are fired up about something, you tend to read or try to find books on it and then subsequently venture out of the house to look for it or people who share the same interest as you.

4. Travel across the State for the day. Take out the car, motorcycle, or even bicycle and just go. Take out a map, find a remote area that has few visitors and go out there and see how people live out their lives in their own little corner. I have done it on many occasions and still am regularly surprised by the things I have learned. You are never too old to learn. Life is a series of very long adventures. All you have to do is to stop thinking of yourself and for once, try to mingle.

5. Learn meditation. It can be very fulfilling. If you are already into yoga, then there's little I need to tell you but if you are not into looking "into your own soul", perhaps it's time you do. Meditation is indeed the final frontier. The final frontier is not out there in the galaxies. Only Capt Kirk has that privilege. Your borderless world is inside you. If you can but take the first step, it may lead you to the other portals that will change your life.

6. Volunteer to do community work even if at the beginning you think it will "kill you". People seldom do community work unless the judge orders them to. There's a reason why the law commands you to be up close and personal with the less privileged. It is an excuse for you to find out that you don't have that many problems afterall. If you don't believe me, ask Angelina Jolie. I am sure she can come up with a hundred reasons why you should do so.

7. Read a challenging book. One of my favourite pastimes is to read. I normally read non-fiction stuff and reading such material has opened my eyes to world yet unseeen by innocent eyes like mine. I have found out that even the mighty have taken bitter pills of disappointment and that nobody is immune from sadness, pain and sorrow. Fortunately, I also learnt that happiness is your own right. Live for today and be the greatest that you can be.

I shall continue this another day because there's another adventure waiting for me that can't be delayed any longer...........

It's February 15, 2006 on my side of the world today. Now, where were we before I was rudely interrupted. Ah yes, I was suddenly yanked out of my house on an urgent errand.

8. Get your priorities right. Life's is not a six-lane, non-stop freeway. We as human beings are allowed to make pit-stops and take a respite as we journey along to wherever we are going. Boredom becomes fossilised when we are too stubborn to change our routine. Like me, you can actually get up from where you are sitting and do something that urgent needs your attention. There are no hard and fast rules in anybody's life. That's the wonderful part of living. You are permitted to change course, switch lanes and board a different vehicle if and when you wish it.

9. Pray to God and for others. Look, you are not meant to be alone on earth, from womb to tomb, from cradle to grave. There are six billion on this small dot of a planet. You are like a speck of dust in a gigantic playing field of dirt and grass. The reason why you are special is because you can interact with others living next to you, near you or a little further from you. Human interpersonal relationships are a great learning experience. We are all put here to learn. Everything that happens to you is a valuable lesson. Sometimes, you meet some stranger because he was destined to learn something from you, or perhaps you from him or her. Who has got time to get bored if we have our own schedules filled to the brim with beautiful, interesting experiences. Ah yes, don't forget to ask God for help if you are "lost". If you are an atheist or existentialist, then God help you, or better still, you help yourself.

10. Ultimately, we all live and die by our own hands. This is a metaphorical statement of insightful proportions. If you complain incessantly that you are forever bored, then you are bored by the very decision which you have undertaken. Nobody is bored by other people. You ALLOWED yourself to get bored. Boredom is not part of our earthly agenda.
Even if you are dead-broke, suffering from an incurable disease or facing Death at the turn of very corner, boredom is the last thing on your menu. If you are on the receiving end of all those things which I have mentioned, I think you can safely come to the conclusion that you are the last person on earth to be bored.
Don't sentence yourself to a life of boredom. Life is too great to be slowed down by a litany of incessant complaints and self-defeatism. You are not that type of person, are you? Now get up and go. Do something. Anything. Just don't break the law.


10

Why give celebrities so much attention?

OKAY, this question has been begging to be answered for a very long time. Why do we ordinary people pay so much attention to celebrities? Who do we even treat them like they are demi-gods or something close to that status?
Surely, our own lives cannot be so mundane and boring that we need to know which actress has been putting on weight so that we have something to gossip about.
It seems as if a lot of us are unable to draw a line between reality and make-believe. It is enough that we pay to be entertained. Actors and actresses are handsomely paid for acting their parts in a storyline so that about two hours of our daily lives are given up for fantasy and escapism.
Sometimes I wonder if all that hype and media attention on the celebrities, not necessarily from the acting industry, reveal something about our own inadequate sociological and anthropological behaviour.
From the perspective of social sciences, I reckon it says that as human beings we are always envious of others who are the centre of attention. We too crave for that kind of reputation or status. Thus, we sort of worship others who are constantly in the limelight because secretly we want to be like them.
From hindsight, we should actually spend more time in fulfilling our own life ambitions. If some of us give as much attention as we are giving to the celebrities, we too will be able to achieve some enviable goals.
When celebrities are at their zenith, the media go into some kind of a feeding frenzy. We buy magazines, newspapers and see the TV to catch up on the latest developments in other people's lives. For example, the triangle love affair between Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston.
Does it make our lives any better if these three people change their eating habits or move out of Hollywood? Frankly, no but that does not stop us from wanting to know more.
Humans are such busybodies. We are always minding other people's business. On one hand, it is good to learn more about your neighbours and perhaps a little beyond that. But it is generally unhealthy to be obsessed by people who have totally no connection with us and will in no way be of any benefit to us or our lives, no matter how much we "worship" them.
However, certain industries like companies dealing with public relations, entertainment and advertising are familiar with the weaknesses of society as a whole. They make it seem as if it is worth our while to adore these idols to the point we have to collect their autographs, pictures, T-shirts with their faces on them, and other items that are closely associated with the famous people.
The bottom line is we are actually spending money for the upkeep of these people and the businesses that are linked to them.
If you sit down to analyse all these factors, you will come to the realisation that there is no greater fool than the one staring back at you in the mirror. Wouldn't it be better and more wonderful if we spend our hard-earned money on those people who get the most enjoyment out of our generosity.
Ever heard of the saying: Charity begins at home. Yes, those so-called people whom you sometimes acknowledge as relatives or brothers, sisters and parents. If only, we occasionally give others the benefit of our time and money. How much hope and joy would that generate.
Thus, it is not always wise to ogle at the celebrity who happens to breeze into town. I know it is sometimes difficult not to stare when everyone else is doing it. Look if you must but there's really no need to devote too much time and attention on someone who neither knows you are alive or cares.

When was the last time you cried?

TEARS can either have a balming effect or a heart-wrenching act of contrition. Yes, I too have cried at certain points in my life. In Asia, tears are testimony's of an individual's unshakeable link to his humanity.
When we were born, we announce to the world our arrival by bawling our lungs out. It was an occasion to rejoice for the new parents. From that day on, it is all downhill.
Most of us henceforth from that moment on, cry for all the sad reasons. When we are upset, our faces turn red and maybe even sometimes black. Chances are we become slightly mad, or totally insane. Very few of us actually cry with anger. Men usually don't do that.
When men get angry they tend to plan their adversaries' downfall. When women get mad, they cry. When women are sad, they cry too. Thus, fewer women go to see doctors. Men just get angry, go mad and then proceed on to get heart attacks, develop stomach or liver ailments and then perhaps die. Not exactly, the best recourse but they are none the wiser.
Thus, in truth, it is good to have a good cry now and then. Forget about what your friends have to say about you being a cry-baby. You have a better chance at living longer than them. He who cries first gets to touch base with longevity.
In a way, I like women's method of solving personal problems. They let the tears soften the hard knocks of life and wash away the hurts that may come unannounced and suddenly. From my speech, you probably can tell that I am a man.
Man or woman, it really doesn't exempt anyone from shedding tears. Whether or not, you can actually cry, remains very much a personal decision. Some people cry very easily. They cry when their favourite football team wins. They cry when one of their children passes an important exam. They even cry when they bear witness to a magnificent sunset.
Tears from heaven, as they say. True. Tears are a gift from heaven except that we humans use our tear ducts for the wrong reasons. Tears are allowed during funerals, weddings and court verdicts. Tears are frowned upon when the occasion does not merit it, like your neighbour unintentionally chop down your favourite tree.
We all have tear ducts because it is nature's way of helping us to cope with distressful situations. The ultimate is of course fainting. That is nature's way of saying "okay, I am out of here!"
Otherwise, tears can either be a weapon or a shield. Just look at babies. They are always crying. Notice how often we take notice and give them their milk. Women shed tears to elicit sympathy from men. If you a normal man, and a woman cries because of something you have done to them, would you be able to proceed with your dastardly act? I doubt it. See, that is her weapon, and we get zonked by the act of shedding tears all the time.
On a personal basis, tears as a safety valve should be used sparingly. Use it too often, and the benefit will diminish in time. Use it rarely, and the rewards are great. For example, a period of self-healing and revitalisation. That is why when a dear loved one dies unexpectedly, we cry. With the tears, comes the easing of the burden that weighs heavily on your hearts.
Yes, we do miss our loved ones, our parents, our children and even our dear colleagues. That is what the tear ducts are made for. We cry under extraordinary circumstances, and the very act of crying help us to redeem our humanity in the face of traumatic calamity.
Cry if you have to. It is nothing to be ashamed of. Instead feeling sorry for those who forced themselved not cry. The pain of withholding the tears is must greater than the act of crying that is like releasing the flood waters of a bloated dam.
Human beings are creatures designed to cry. That sets us apart from our creatures roaming the earth. We know how to feel. It is a gift from heaven.





Get bitten by this!

Stay sharp with this forum

What it's in a name?

Most of us have got "normal" names but there are a handful who were given unusual names that later become the bane of their lives in later years.
For example, back a decade or two, there was one man who was so obsessed with the Brazilian football team that he name his new-born son with all the names of the entire Brazilian football team.
Needless to say, I am still curious as to what his teachers in school call him in his schooling years.
My dad named me after his good buddy from his childhood. Fortunately, that friend's name is not Dumbo!
Generally, Christians name their children after the saints in heaven or in the Christian books. But these days, parents are becoming more sophisticated. They want society to give them due recognition due to their imaginative ways of naming their children.
No more "Michael", "John" or "Peter" for them. Nowadays, it's Tex, Dexter, Hanson, Ariel, Siegfried or Conan. While, some of us applaud the parents for wanting their children to be identified as unique individuals, we also at the same time sympathise with the child for carrying the burden of having names that can put them in an odd situation.
For example, some parents in the Far East have named their sons "Osama". That's fine but a poor attempt to drawing attention to the poor child. Then, you have a girl who may be named Hyacinth. That's a flower but it is so uncommon that her friends may actually shorten it to "Hayya" for convenience.
Parents should actually think carefully what names they should give their children. There are no prizes for being adults with the most fertile imagination.
So far I have not come across any child whose name is Godzilla but it wouldn't surprise me if I did. Some parents in their obsession to gather a reputation for themselves and unintentional everlasting torment for their child put in their birth records the most ridiculous names you can think of.
For example, how does it feel if you are too young to know better but you have just been named "Spiderman" by your dad who's crazy about the comic character. It could also be Spartacus or Taras Bublba.
I have not ruled out the possibility of a coffee-fanatic Italian father naming his son "cappuccino" instead of just plain "bambino". Just think of the boy's growing years whenever he passes by a coffee shop or happens to be in Starbucks with his friends. The hilarity of the occasion does not escape me.
We really have to be careful how our children are named because it could add a certain lustre to that child's future career or give him a terrible burden which he doesn't deserve.
So till the next Hercules comes along, may I not see another person named Wolverine coming my way!!





Good Golly, Not this!

Stay sharp with this forum

Looking ahead, leaving the past

If you have been working non-stop for a better part of 25 years (excluding the holidays), there will come a time when you wonder to yourself whether you should review your priorities.
Well, I am - reassessing my life directions. All those worldly things which I had dreamt about while I was in my 20s or even in my teens, I have achieved and obtained. What else is there, you might ask.
Time to look elsewhere to achieve other loftier aims. For example, wandering further afield, as they say. In other words, taking longer holiday breaks. Better still, be a master of your own professional career.
That's what I want anyway at this stage in my life. I don't want to wake up at 7.30am anymore and prepare myself for work. It's really not that difficult to go through the routine but I certainly would relish the idea of waking at a later hour, like 9.30am or 10am.
My dream career from now on is having a very profitable personal business. For example, SOHO (small office home office). It's nice to know that there's a career that has a self-generating income. A friend of mine shares my sentiments.
We are constantly bouncing ideas off each other. He throws up a few ideas. I throw back a few of my own. We had a lot of fun imagining and dreaming of the life of comfort and luxury that is just around the corner for the both of us.
I am sure there are a whole bunch of people out there who are operating in the same mode as the both of us. The good news is we are actively working on those little gems of thought. It all begins with a single thought, and then it germinates and finally, hopefully, it grows and blossoms.
When you are past middle-age, your priorities change. You no longer want to marry a Miss World or Miss Universe. You tend to be more down-to-earth. You don't believe in acquiring one billion dollars. A cool ten million will do! In other words, you are not so greedy anymore.
I guess in entertaining these thoughts, I count myself as one of the "normal ones". All of us would like to live our dreams and not just dream of dreams when we are in the sleep mode. Living a dream, to me, means having a beautiful home facing the sea with a wide expanse of fantastic scenery and owning a second home on top of some mountain (not too high) when nature is very much part of the ambience.
Money won't be an issue anymore. My family and I can do anything we like. We shall not take anything for granted. I will be around to frequently remind them of the realities of life. I would like to think that other members of the family would also act as anchors to the ground of humility for me.
It is easy to behave foolishly and maybe even haughtily when life gets a bit too easy. I have seen actual examples of the nouveu riche who unwittingly make fools of themselves by unconsciously adopting the bourgouise persona that make everyone else cringe.
Money does not make a person any different than what he was before the millions came. If you are an overnight millionaire, it just means you have got more money to spend. It doesn't mean you have suddenly become faster, stronger, tougher and kinder. In most instances, if you are lacking in character, you can become a major pain-in-the-neck overnight.
These are some of the things I think about on my journey to the first 10 million. Did I tell you that I am also slightly ambitious. Look, if you have made up your mind to become a tycoon, don't be shy or embarrassed about having 8 or 9 zeroes to your account. It's just numbers.
Some millionaire once said: "After the first million, the rest are just academic." That remark somehow seems quite profound to me.
But the bottom line is life is not all about money. In fact, it seldom is. We are constantly being deceived by the media that money makes the man. Not true. Hard work and meaningful experiences build character.
Those moguls, tycoons and billionaires who came up the hard way know this. So the wisest among them usually don't flaunt their wealth. They know that they might not wake up from their bed tomorrow morning and what does that say about their achievements when that happens.
Still, it's our aim to live life as best as we could. We should be deliriously happy every day of the rest of your lives. It is our sacred duty to be ecstatic and joyful, and it is also our responsibility to help others feel the same way, too.
Life is meant to be enjoyed to its maximum effect. Where will we all be if not enjoying ourselves as we make our way through this life, short or long is not really the issue.
Most of us mistakenly think that we can buy happiness. That means the more money we have, the greater our chances of being happy. We can be poor and still be happy. The difficulty is to convince the majority of the population about this. He who proclaims this truth will probably be laughed out of town.
Back to my objectives in life: I can now safely say, to minimum embarrassment to myself, that I am in a better position to add enhancements to my own life for the betterment of my family than at any other time in my life.
When a person has fewer emcumbrances, it is easier to perform certain deeds. And what are these "emcumbrances"? They are a roof over one's head; a reasonably healthy bank account; a well-being that is the envy of others, and a life that is generally free of minor worries.
Sounds quite reasonable, isn't it? Come to think of it, when one has all the above in generous portions, one can be considered relatively well off. But still I would like to have my own dreams fulfilled in their grandest fashion possible. When they have been achieved and attained in the scheduled times, I shall be most satisfied.
When I have arrived at my destination, you will be the first to know and I will probably write a treatise on the journey to my destination as well. Wouldn't that be great?





Duh! No peeking!

Stay sharp with this forum

Chinese New Year - Best Excuse for Get-Togethers

EVERY YEAR on the 1st and 2nd day of the new Chinese New Lunar Year or Spring Festival as it is called elsewhere around the world, hundreds of millions of Chinese families come together from far and wide to enjoy family meals and to share gossip and interests that may kickstart long-drawn conversations.
Today is the 2nd day of the new lunar year of the Dog (2006). The sun is shining very brightly as on most Chinese New Year days. It is so hot at times, like today, that most of Chinese make a hasty retreat into the cool confines of their own homes, but not before gobbling up another slew of CNY dishes at some relatives' homes or in their own homes.
Chinese New Year is also a time of giving. Say what you like about the money-grabbing Chinese and their inscrutable ways, the Chinese are familiar with the philosophy of giving. That is why ang pows are not only a must but also given with great generosity.
I just returned from visiting an old friend at the Cheshire Home. She has been there for more than 25 years. As on most CNY occasions, my wife and I dropped by to visit here. Also, like in previous CNYs, there are the unannounced arrivals of strangers who come to the Home to distribute CNY ang pows. They do not seek publicity not do they make a big fanfare about the purpose of their visit.
Basically, what they do is to come and distribute ang pows (red packets) to all the inmates and staff of the Cheshire Home. Today, I was fortunate enough to witness one such person. He was past middle-age. He came on a motorcycle and promptly on arrival, he took out a stack of ang pows to distribute to the residents.
On the sound of the ringing of a bell, the residents came rushing out from their rooms to wait in line for the ang pows which the quiet, unassuming man gave to one and all. It was a sight to behold. It wasn't like a presidential visit or anything even close to that but the sight of an individual who had sought no publicity and gave so much gladdened my heart and provided much hope to the handicapped people who will spend the rest of their days in quiet solitude and perhaps quiet desperation which most of us ordinary folks do not understand or want to understand.
Human beings are like that, so long as this kind of physical predicament is not ours to bear, we have a tendency to push it out of our mind and not entertain the thought of knowing that there are individuals somewhere out there who are a thousand times worse off than the rest of us who simply have no time to sympathise with this group of minority.
However, one single individual can sometimes do so much in so short a time. This middle-aged man after distributing the ang pows went on to sing a medley of Mandarin songs, much to the delight to a majority of the inmates at the home. His voice was powerful and it echoed across the hall and hallways of the Home.
We the unsuspecting curious-onlookers were simply impressed by his energy and enthusiasm exhibited by this man whose identity remained unknown to us all. Sometimes in our busy lives, we do not realise that there are some generous souls out there in the blue yonder carrying out generous acts of kindness which we often hear about or read about in magazines and newspapers. Perhaps, sometimes too we would want to carry out similar acts of compassion and generosity but somehow we find the excuses that we often gladly find not to do it.
And here today at this home, I bear witness to this man. His acts reminded me of the times when my grandest intentions of splendid human acts yet unperformed pale a thousand times in comparison to his small, ordinary acts of kindness and generosity.
There is much to learn from strangers like that on some days of our lives. We come across them at the most unexpected moments. For a while, we remind ourselves that we too are capable of carrying out similar acts but our courage often is found wanting.
Maybe after today, the thought will remain in my heart and mind so that I too will join this legion of do-gooders who want no rewards and expect none.





Life can only get better after this!

Stay sharp with this forum

Fear of that something around the corner

EVER experience that fear of the unknown. For example, you have been working at an organisation for a major part of your life and one day, an opportunity pops up right before your eyes. You can't believe it. You have been working for God-knows-how-long and poof! it appears you - the door that you have been talking about with friends, family and colleagues for ages.
It is your golden key to greener pastures. It is expected that you dive and grab that key. But no, you hesitate. Not for two seconds, but for some very long minutes. What happens if I don't like it, you tell yourself. What happens if I fail and fall flat on my face, you ask yourself again.
While your friends and relatives are tearing their hair out and calling you all kinds of unkind names, you hesitate some more. Hey, where are your guts, you hear that question flying over your head.
Nobody is quite aware of the fact that you have not done anything like that before. You keep on postponing grabbing that holy grail. What holy grail, you ask yourself for the third time.
Human beings are not a race known for their relentless courage and entrepreneurial spirit. We are mostly chickens. Slightest disturbance and we fly to the rafters. So much for that invisible lion's courage.
I wonder sometimes, too. There's so much to learn if only we step around that corner. Life is not for the timid, nor it suffers gladly the squeamish. We tell ourselves we need to be a bit more adventuruous and a little less doubtful about our own abilities. Alas, we are often let down by our own lack of courage. Some of us are basically cowards, and we won't admit it. At least when one admits it, it is the first step towards solving the problem because we recognise there's a situation that needs a solution.
When you think of the number of years you may have left on earth, a lot of things suddenly don't look so awesome anymore. We think we can't leap over a wide drain. Of course not. There's no tiger 100 yards behind us. If we were to hear a tiger's roar and sense that it has caught our human scent and if we tally, we would soon be tiger's breakfast. I bet the speed record for running the 100 metres would quickly be perceived as reachable.
Life, it is said, is meant to be lived by grabbing its jugular. It's time to "lock and load", as they say. Tally not. Time is precious. Life is short and you can always find another job, that is, if you are not fussy or humble enough to do anything you like.
I am beginning to sense that level of adventurism rising in me. That adrenaline pumping huge amounts to prime me for that great leap across or into the unknown. As Nike has put it a long time ago - JUST DO IT!







Be the captain of your own fate!

Stay sharp with this forum

Much Ado About Something

SURELY all of us at some time or another must have asked ourselves: "What am I doing in this office, or in this world, or even in this life?"
Well folks, the answer lies within yourselves. You clearly have been looking up the wrong avenue. The solution has always been you, and the answer rests in your heart.
I don't mean to go cryptic on you but it is obvious, there's no correct answer. For some people, the query on personal happiness could be marriage. Someone they don't know yet has not entered into their lives. Therefore, their lives are not stable and they need a balancing act. In this case, a partner who will give that stability which they gravely need.
We all wonder sometimes what we are doing working in the office when the whole wide world awaits our grand entrance. There's so much to do, so little time and almost no money to speak of.
How cruel can life be, you may exclaim. Actually, you don't need money to do any of the things you so dearly love. All you need is a determination to see it done. Did Steve Jobs worry incessantly about all the major aspects before he kickstared Apple Computers? Or did Bill Gates worry too much before he embarked on DOS and later Windows? I bet not.
These people have no time to worry, or to think of all the obstacles they will face. They just went ahead and did what their hearts told them to do. That is the secret of success. If you think you have a major plan, go ahead and try it. If it doesn't work according to your plan, so what? At least, it was worth trying.
Many people don't even try. So they don't know what they are missing.
Some of the greatest successes in life belong to those who risk it all, in the name of passion. This is what I mean about "much ado about something". Go ahead and make a big fuss about your dream. Hey, you are the one having that dream and holding on to it. Nobody else is interested.
A lot of people lose the battle before it even begins. They have a grand notion of doing something wonderful but five minutes later they bomb their own plan to pieces because they have just come up with 10 reasons why it won't work.
To think that you could actually have a lot of fun while doing it. Don't worry so much about not coming up tops. For example, some years ago, the Sony people were on a roadshow about several of their latest products. To add some spice to the event, they hire two Spanish yo-yo champions.
There I was standing among the small crowd, all agog over the spins and loops performed by the Spaniards. Then, the presenter asked if anyone would like to try their luck on the yo-yo. Before you could catch your next breath, I was up there.
I don't know why I did it but the sense of adventure was irresistible. I gave the yo-yo a couple of flimsy throws. It went in several directions except the direction that I wanted. On a scale of one to 10, I basically scored a 2.
For my audacity, I was given several minor Sony products. I felt so proud of myself. My daughter who was standing nearby was beaming with pride, too. Later I told her that it doesn't matter if you are not the champ, so long as you took part. That's the spirit of the game, as in everything else in life.
There are a rare few who go through life getting involved in one adventure after another. Anybody else would have been aghast at their boldness and so-called recklessness but I tell you these people are having the time of their lives. We should emulate their example.
The essence of most "fearful" things is the fun factor. If you think you have received a whole lot of fun out of the efforts exerted, then why not? When you are 20 years old, you tend to get into all kinds of scraps. When you are 50, you automatically think of the number of bones you may break in a foolhardy physical action. In other words, you become more of a coward.
Then, life passes you by and you begin to realise what a boring person you have become. However, all is not lost. There are some brave, old souls out there and they are making us look like fools.
Seventy-years-old? No fear, man. They still swim across shark infested waters. Eighty-years-old? No sweat. That guy is still jogging and running. Death may be beckoning to them but chances are these old geezers are too busy to return his calls.
So the next time, anyone asks you what is going on with your life, tell them you are very busy because you have embarked on a project called Much Ado About Something!





900 million surfers, why pick you?!

Stay sharp with this forum

So who's reading this? Let me know

For about six months now, I have been blogging my thoughts on every conceivable subject that enters my head on any given day.
So naturally, I am curious whether anybody is actually passing through this way.
So in a vain attempt to find out if anyone actually has seen my blog or actually read a line or two, I am asking those who come my way to drop a line to say that they have been here.
So please drop a line to say that you are one of those anonymous ones who pass by like a ship in the night. This will please me no end. Thank you very much.

International Graffitti Wall

OK, you guys out there. I am officially setting up on this single page for those of you who want to express some wise sayings, smart remarks, outrageous statements (but not profanity, please), and age-old axioms.
You may say it in your own mother tongue, street lingo, dialect, or native language. I am just curious as to how far we have progressed in this whole wide world in terms of human expressions.
Since this is the Internet, and graffitti is impossible in its real sense, we shall apply our own rules concerning this game.
Let me kick off with one of my own in the Malay language.
It is:
Seperti katak dibawah tempurung (living like a frog under a shell or cave). The meaning usually refers to a person who lives in the narrow confines of home and does not know what is really outside the walls of his shelter.

How to handle illness in the family

LOOK, everybody falls sick at one time or another. Nobody goes through life without falling sick at least 10 times in his entire life. Some people are born inherently strong.
They go through thunderstorm, a whole houseful of sick people, walk along hospital wards of very ill people, eat unclean food and still emerge healthy as Hercules.
You might apt to think that this person has got that Rasputin immunity. As some of us may recall, that Russian monk Rasputin was almost impossible to kill. His enemies fed him poison and he joyfully consumed the poisoned cakes and laughed. They shot him and threw him into the river. Diagnosis: death by drowning. How strange.
Yes, they are people who are seemingly immune to illnesses. Now, that's not our privilege. We do get sick now and then. And loved ones, friends and others known to us fall sick at some juncture.
I have personal experience of all this wave of illness that rushes up my shore every couple of years. Sometimes if I am unlucky, it happens in a series. Recently, someone close to me, fell sick. Normally, when a person falls sick, there won't be such a melodrama but if the physical discomfort is expressed in prolonged coughing and wheezing, the alarm bells start to go off, one by one.
Beneath the thin veneer of human fortitude, lies an ocean of concern and sympathy. Most of the time, we try not to go overboard with unnecessary concern but when someone dear begins to display signs of delayed recovery, the human compassion kicks in.
The normal modus operandi with regard to illness in the family is first to apply some home-grown medicine. Sometimes it is herbal concoction. Occasionally, it could be some ancient Chinese cure. When all fails, it's time to visit the doctor. If that too fails, it's back to the drawing board. In this case, the Chinese will often refer to some highly recommended Chinese sinseh.
The Chinese tend to believe in their own millennia-old cures for everything ever recorded in the medical annals. Most of the time, it works - quite amazingly. I totally vouch for some of these ancient Chinese cures.
We shall not mention any names here but at least one Western-educated doctor quietly and discreetly subscribed to Chinese medicine for certain illnesses. He does not know how to explain it but apparently, he swears by those medicines which he buys on the quiet.
One of the old tried-and-tested methods of handling illnesses in the family is to have a long career of witnessing sick members of the family. The more you have experienced in terms of sickness like mumps, influenza, stomache, cramps, rashes, fever and broken bones, the calmer you will be when one of these incidents strike the family.
It all boils down to experience and the feeling of having seen-it-all-before. About three-quarters of illnesses are actually nothing. Only perhaps two or three out of a 100 illnesses are cause for worry.
Contrary to popular belief, the human body is actually quite resilient. We are not so easily "killed off". A number of those who suffered "sudden deaths" are usually those who have already given up the "fight" a long time ago.
So next time when illness visits the family, here's what you do:
1. Stay Calm
2. Make a checklist of all the symptoms
3. Rest is usually the best cure
4. When home remedies fail in cases of simple medical problems, visit the doctor
5. Ask your mother or grandmother for advice
6. If you are dissatisfied with a doctor's diagnosis, get a second medical opinion. Doctors have been known to be wrong on many occasions.
7. Think positive
8. Say some prayers
9. Cheer up the sick
10. Don't be a doomsday agent





Don't get a life. Get richh!

Stay sharp with this forum

Ghosts - Seen any lately?

CHILDREN and adults love ghost stories. I have a few but it all depends on your inclination to absorb such tales of the apparition kind.
When my mother was a newly-wed, she stayed in this bungalow in the middle of the rubber estate, together with her aunt who was a nurse. My dad then was an employee with a government department. So he wasn't around the whole day until about 6pm when he came home.
Almost everyday, around an appointed time, heavy footsteps could be heard, even if it was daylight. And there was nobody in the house except my mum or sometimes my aunt and my mum.
Of course, the two women were very scared. Both women were Catholics so there were a lot of rosary sessions. Who would believe that a ghost could roam around in the day time. Strangely, when my father returned home, the ghost won't be around.
Apparently, my aunt was so frightened that long before that ghostly hour, she would be clasping tightly to her rosary and praying. But prayers didn't seem to deter the ghostly stranger because it still paid courtesy calls.
Finally, in desperation, a Catholic priest was called to bless the house. Holy water and other spiritual prayers seemed to work. The apparition stopped "walking" around the house.
Later, my mother found out from some people staying in the vicinity that an old woman used to stay in that house. When she died, no proper burial rites were observed and her final send-off was apparently quite inappropriate. The talk was her spirit was restless and she probably wasn't aware that she was dead and behaved as if she was still part of the mortal world. Hence, the heavy footsteps and other ghostly consequences.

The second ghostly tale came from a close friend of mine who reluctantly revealed that when he was a teenager, he used to roam the neighbourhood with a bunch of close friends. In the group, was one guy who seemed to possess the "third eye". Over in the East, we call such a guy the one who can see dead people.
One day, while this group of friends was playing, one of them suddenly started behaving in an odd manner. He seemed mesmerised by an object in the distance and started walking, zombie-like in that direction. His friends noticed his strange behaviour and called out to him. He ignored them and continued walking.
Soon, the alarm was raised and they grabbed him. One of the friends started chanting religious mantras while the others held him down. It took sometime before any effect could be seen but all of them were scared out of their wits.
When this "possessed" chap woke up, so to speak, he told them that he "saw" someone calling and waving him from a distance. As if he was powerless to resist, he started walking towards the apparition.
This friend of mine who didn't realise the idea of talking about this frightening experience told me to keep the entire story a secret. He has experienced it and was totally freaked out. Till today, he doesn't want to talk about it, except that one occasion when he mentioned it to me.

The third story involved a security chief of a private corporation. Many years ago, my sister was working as a croupier in a casino. The casino was located on on mountain resort. Naturally, being a gambling centre of international proportions, the casino operated 24/7.
The head of security was a former police chief who had retired and joined the owners of the corporation that ran the casino. Being an ex-police officer, he had his fair share of death, and dead bodies.
One night, he left the mountain resort and was driving down to the valley below. The hour was very late and it was about 4am. As you know, up in the mountains, anytime beyond 5pm, darkness is like a black curtain over the land. It was no exception in this case.
While, this security chief was driving alone, midway through the journey he felt as if someone else was in the car with him. He threw a cursory glance at the rear-view mirror and caught a glimpse of a woman with long black hair sitting at the back of the car.
He knew instantly an entity not of earthly origin was keeping him company. Being an ex-policeman did not guarantee courage. He was frightened, at the same time, he was a practical guy. Any guy with no presence of mind would have panicked and could have driven off the steep mountain.
This guy just kept his eyes on the road and steeled himself against doing anything foolish. After some time, he stole another glance at the rear-mirrow. The apparition was no longer there! Much to his relief.
The next day, he related his experience to his colleagues. They told him that he was lucky to survive the ghostly encounter. Others might have panicked and swerved from the main road and down the cliff. Chances of survival from such a sudden move would have been almost nil.

So next time, you hear a ghost story, don't pooh-pooh the tale, just because you haven't experienced anything like that. Who knows, maybe a real ghost will make a believer out of you. But will you survive to tell the tale?




Making a believer out of you!

Stay sharp with this forum

What's the eating limit?

All of us eat to live. There is no exception. Then there are some who live to eat. We shall not count ourselves among the last group. Few of us are so fortunate, or unfortunate, depending on which perspective you are looking from.
If you live to eat, it could very well mean that anywhere and everywhere you go, there are lots of food for you to sample and taste. That means you will never ever die hungry. That won't be your lot in this life.
On the other hand, if you eat because it's your profession then it can turn out to be a very boring affair. These are the food critics. Most of the time, you won't enjoy yourself because you will be over-critical. Your exquisite taste buds are so used to the finer things in the cuisine world that nothing but the best will find your favour.
Food tasters or food critics can be a sad lot. They get paid for their comments. Restaureters dislike or live in fear of these people. Critics can make or break their business.
For the rest of us mortals, life takes on a simpler mode. We have our usual three square meals a day. Sometimes, there's supper but on most days there is nothing because all of us don't want to look like a pear to our friends and family members.
So what's your eating limit? If you are a non-athletic, anything above the three meals a day would be considered over the top. As you grow older, the same amount of food you take when you were 20 would be a bit too much if you are 40. That is, unless you are an exercise freak or physically active.
People in the developing and developed world normally eat too much. I am not basing this on statistics but on what I can gauge from regular TV footage. I don't think I am wrong in saying that Americans in general eat too much. Most of them are over-weight.
Residents in poorer countries do not have the luxury of eating when they want and anything they want. So you normally see slim to skinny people in the poorer sections of the world.
Frankly, how often do people eat? Breakfast, lunch and dinner is the normal run of things. We are not Hobbits. We do not eat every two hours. But normal people munch a lot. That means snacks in between meals, and it's usually the sweet stuff.
Now you know where all those "thunder thighs" and double-chins come from!
In modern times, doctors and dietitians are quick to say that we have to eat more vegetables because they chocolates, cakes and pizzas are in abundance. It's okay if you eat two pieces of pizza a day, twice a week. It's not okay if you eat three-quarters of a large pizza four times a week.
People overcompensate when they quit a diet programme. It will only lead to trouble for the heart, liver and stomach. The body is a living organism. It functions well if you don't overload the system. But people tend to overeat when they are depressed or when their boyfriends dump them or if their lives are generally boring.
If you are active in your profession or pursuing your hobby, then most of the time you don't have the time to overeat.
The best rule-of-thumb I have ever heard regarding eating is "leave the plate alone when you eaten enough but you could still eat some more".
Meanwhile, be thankful you can eat anything you want and as often as you want. It is a blessing as well as an indication that you are in good health. But don't push your luck.

Worshipping Idols

Towards the end of May last year, millions in America and across the globe were glued to their TVs, eagerly awaiting the new American idol. It was the fourth person to be crowned American Idol.
Of course, everybody knew the winner will have all the money, gifts, prizes and sponsorships that come with the title. Every wannabe singer in the bathroom, kitchen and hallway thinks it could have been her or him at the podium.
All of us have dreams. There's really nothing wrong with harbouring such a ridiculous ambition, except that there can only be one winner, just as there can only be one true Highlander!
By May 25, the night of the final, we all found out to our great delight or horror that it was Carrie Underwood and not that cute, macho guy Bo Bice. Well, that's water under the bridge now. Carrie has gone on to produce her first album in November and Bo, besides getting married, has other plans for his singing career.
Now, the shadow of the American Idol is again looming over the horizon. Come Jan 18, give or take 24 hours, all the hype, TV publicity and all the attention Fox Televsion can muster will descend upon us like a whole container-load of delicious chocolates.
We will have our initial favourites and try to identify with some potential winners. That lovely girl with a lousy voice may win our sympathy. That roguish-looking guy with an insipid voice may tug at our heart-strings but everything is on the table, as they say.
Simon Cowell will once again irritate us to no end. Paula Abdul will soothe away the hurts of other judges' barbed remarks and Randy Jackson will give us know-nothings the benefit of his immense recording experience.
It will be a grand show of finite possibilities. Contestants will cry, of coure, we all expect them to. The weeks that follow will ensure great display of emotions, on stage and off stage, in the home and in the office.
Everybody thinks he can spot the winner. That's what TV entertainment is all about. It galvanises your secret dreams to be someone like the American Idol. It makes you think you can succeed when tens of thousands of others have tried and fail.
It is the stuff of dreams that every thinking member of the homo erectus species has secretly stowed away in his mind and heart. We all cheer on our personal favourites.
Very often, our opinions will differ from our best friend's, but never mind, the bet is on. Even the losers can become famous. That's the wonderful part of that gigantic reality TV show called American Idol. Just ask bug-teethed William Hung. Ricky Martin bangs, William basically bungled but in his failure, he too bangs.
Now we know, even if we can't sing to save our own lives, someone, or thousands out there will still love us, and not only our mother.
The American Idol enters its fifth season this month. It appeals to the young and old and it speaks of hidden desires and shattered dreams. The American TV moguls know that this show is a great money spinner. Hell, it is now big business just like Burger King or McDonald's.
It is being franchised all over the world. And the world has fallen over itself trying to emulate the success of this show in its own backyard in different regions.
From Australia to Malaysia, the Idol contest has attracted thousands of the most horrible singers to the auditions. Luckily for all of us, some of them can really sing. Then, there's the X-factor. So what if some of them can sing, do they have the look that comes with being a potential champion?
That means well liked by the voting viewers. Simon Cowell describes it as the likeability factor. Sometimes, it is not enough to sing extremely well, you also must have the personality that can make you a winner by just a nose!
I am sure, it will be another fun session again. Twelve weeks of relentless TV viewing for 60 minutes every week aren't going to be too strenuous for your heart. The positive thing is that it is a great conversational topic.
Pick your winners as they say. Just don't get too emotional. For the business-minded, it's time to place the bets. Clearly, all of us need to get a life since we are so easily swayed by a TV show that can only make Simon Cowell and Simon Fuller richer by the millions.
I wish I can sing like Clay Aiken or Ruben Studdard, too but my vocal chords are in constant disagreement with my inner most wishes. So for those who can't sing, they can at least criticise, or praise. I choose to do both. Now sit back and relax and watch the fun.

Is that a Tarantulla on your shoulder?

These days, some people are no longer satisfied with the normal animals as pets. Sometimes we see a South American (somewhere from the Brazilian jungle) iguana on somebody's shoulder.
These fairly large iguanas are basically very slow and quiet. They can remain still for a long time, thus making them a great accessory to the owner's attire. If the idea is gain attention then the iguana is IT!
Then there are some people who are surreptitiously keeping piranhas in their aquariums. There's nothing like an element of danger to perk up your evening or better still, the man-eating fish is a great conversational subject.
Years ago, I read somewhere that some misguided piranha fish owner released that fish into a river or pond. I am not sure if it was a tall tale but the news was slightly scary. The last thing we need in our waterways is a man-eating fish.
The good news is once people hear that piece of news, they will just take out their fishing rods and try their luck. Nothing like a piranha at the end of your rod to impress your friends.
I have also heard of individuals keeping scorpions, termites and tarantullas. Sometimes you ask yourself, why do these people keep such exotic pets? Probably, their lives are lacking greatly in the excitement category.
When I was a little boy, I tried to bring back some huge soldier termites home to my backyard because I thought they were "pretty cute". Fortunately for me, the termites didn't like my backyard. When I was much older I scolded myself for being so silly. That action of bringing home termites was akin to bringing home the plague.
Then, you read stories about some houseowners having tarantullas in special glass cages. Nothing like a big hairy spider to pump some adrenaline into your veins.
Human beings are a bit strange. They like anything that is dangerous, poisonous and lethal. I have not heard of anybody keeping Black Widow Spiders as pets but I won't be surprised if one day I open the newspaper and read an article about someone keeping the Black Widow in his bedroom.
Snakes are practically common now as pets. The favourite ones are usually the albino species. The sight of a white snake slithering across an individual's shoulders seems "so cool" to others.
For those who can afford it, they simply build their own zoos. And there are people like that. People who can afford to keep exotic pets normally keep a very low profile. The last thing they want is to draw attention to themselves.
I have heard of people keeping ghosts but that story comes from the East, and it's a long, spooky tale. I don't want to go into that. People in the West don't understand these stories but some cultures in the East boggles the mind.
If you have people who keep tigers, wolves and other dangerous predators in their houses, then another exotic pet won't raise eyebrows anymore. We wish all these exotic pet owners luck but I don't want to live near them. Just give me a normal dog any day.





Get bitten by this!

Stay sharp with this forum

The Most Powerful Economy in the World in 5 Years

The country with the largest population in the world is China. It currently has 1.3 billion people. It also happens to one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
According to a survey whose quantitative methods have yet to be authenticated, China's economy grew about 17 per cent last year, as compared to its official version of about 8 or 9 per cent. For the year 2005, its economic growth was duly registered as 9.8 per cent. Many observers are of the opinion that the rate is much higher.
It is indisputable it has the largest pool of able-bodied workers on the entire planet. Countries that have been experiencing escalating labour costs have been flocking to China to set up factories to produce their goods, thereby bringing down the price of their goods to make them competitive in overseas markets.
The average life-span of a Chinese living in China is 70.8 years. Those aged 15-67 account for 67.2 per cent of the 1.3 billion population. Its population in 1998 grew by almost 20 million.
China is one of the four oldest civilisations in the world. It has 5,000 years of recorded history but the Chinese will tell you that unofficially it goes back about 10,000 years. In fact, archaelogists are still unearthing relics and structures of ancient palaces till the present day.
There are 56 nationalities in the country. There are about 5,000 family names, of which 200 to 300 are common. The Han race makes up about 91 per cent of the entire population. That leaves the remaining nine per cent for minorities. China also has 50,000 rivers.
Working days in China are from Monday to Friday and working hours are from 8am to 5pm but unofficially people will tell you that in a number of factories, it is 24/7.
The King Kong-sized economic machinery that is presently moving its wheels in China almost never stops. With foreign investors knocking down doors to take advantage of China's ultra-cheap labour, the nation's economy is being stretched to record levels.
Today, China-made products are found in almost every part of the world. They are cheaper, better-made and faster-made than most countries in the first, second and third worlds.
With the statistics recorded, China is expected to be the king of the economic hill in five years, barring all unforeseen circumstances. Much of China is still undeveloped. Mountains and hills occupy about 65 per cent of the landscape. There are heavily industrialised areas in the country but vast swaths are still green.
It has been said that despite the enormous economic strides made by China since the 1980s, problems continued to persist regarding transportation. It is assumed that infrastructure is not up to its desired level.
More than 50 per cent of all investments in the Far East are in China. About 10 years ago, China's per capita growth domestic product was on par with the second most populous nation in the world, India. Today, China is outperforming India in "almost every facet of national competitiveness".
A report in the International Herald Tribune in 2003 states that China is keeping her costs as low as India and is offering "better highways, telecommunications, power supply, airfields and seaports".
India's longtime advantages over China in terms of language (English), competency and democracy are fast-eroding.
About 30 to 40 years ago, Japan was the designated next super economic power but recession and other financial backlashes have taken the wind of Japan's sail, so to speak. At one time before 1997, South Korea was THE country to watch. The ill winds of financial chaos descended on a large part of the Far East in the later years of the 90s and crippled a number of economic "tigers".
However, China weathered the storm pretty well and thus was placed in a strategic position to surge way ahead of the pack.
If all the signs are in favour of China, there's a good chance that China's economic train will be picking up speed as it forges ahead and leaves its competitors "biting the dust".
In less than 10 years, or maybe in five, it will pip the tape ahead of US, Europe and Japan. Currently, all eyes are on China and its runaway economic train. Goods from China are flooding the world markets. They are so cheap that no trader in his right mind will turn them down because the profit margins are irresistible.
The first 10 years of the 21st century will witness the economic miracle of the Far East and all indicators point to China.

Let this be MY year

Every January someone bound to come up to me and ask "what it's going to be for you this year?" I am always severely tempted to say "better, stronger, faster, tougher" then I realise I am not from planet krypton nor am I Clark Kent.
So I resist that impulse and say "everyday is going to be good because I have decided so. There's no problem. Everything will be a lesson and a challenge. With that I proceed to view life as if I was born to enjoy every second of it.
For a moment or two, a look of astonishment on the face of the person who just asked the question. Then, I get this gut feeling that he or she is going to punch me as if I have spoken out of turn.
When I crossed the Big 5 (50 years), I decided enough is enough. I wasn't going to wait for life to hand me a bouquet. I was going to plant my own garden of flowers and enjoy the blooming results.
Since then, I have been relishing every minute of every hour of everyday. Isn't that great? Now, if you were a pessimist, you would tend to reply "what's so great about life, anybody's life for that matter?"
People walking around with a cloud of doom and gloom over their heads have a propensity to say "we are born, we live, we cry, we laugh and then we die." Everybody makes up his or her own mind what the person wants out of life. If you want to be rich, there are ways.
If you want to be happy, everyone else wants to know the reason why. If you cry, nobody wants to share that sorrow with you. Humans are like that. They gravitate towards what makes them feel good and shy away from the bad bits. They want no part of it.
This year, 2006, will be another magnificent year for me. How I know? Because I have said so. So it is said, so shall it be done! Somehow this line sounds like a phrase that comes from the movie Ben Hur. There are lessons to be learnt in everything we see, hear and touch.
Sometime ago, I learnt that all that touch our five senses have benefits for us. All it takes is some time on our part and a moment of reflection to absorb the moment and know that the goodness emanates to enhance every fibre of our being.
Take for example, when an infant suddenly breaks out into a smile when you stare at him. How does that make you feel? Surely, you will not break out into tears. The normal reaction on the part of any individual would be a smile returned. A baby's joyful disposition is terrribly infectious. It gladdens the heart of the most hardened criminal and brings joy to all child-bearing women. It is a quality that is inbuilt in all of us.
Thus, joy is a matter of personal decision. So are sorrow, misery and sadness. Many people are annoyed when you tell them that everything that happens to them is a matter of choice. They exclaim "how can you say I WANT to be poor; that I want to be sick; that I want to feel pain."
What they do not realise is that from the day they emerge from the cradle, everything and I mean everything is entirely up to them. How is that so, you may ask.
Well for one thing, studying hard in school is a matter of choice. Let's admit it, most of us feel laziness creeping in now and then.
Later on in life when someone fails miserably in exams, he may blame it on God and his parents but really the fault lies squarely with him. If you really slog, then the worse you can do is to obtain a "D".
At a later stage in life when your health is questionable, chances are that you have been abusing your body since your teens. If you are born sickly, then it's not your fault but there are those who have conquered such physical handicaps and emerged as champions in their own right.
Recently, I watched a segment of the Oprah Winfrey Show. A guy who was born without hands and legs has achieved so much that he put most normal people to shame. This guy because a champion wrestler in his school. Asked how many times did he fail in his attempt to win over an opponent on the wrestling mat, his quick answer: "The first 36 times!" Unbelievable and yet this chap conquered everything in his path and excelled to the astonishment of everybody concerned."
So in actuality, life is pretty fair. If you are born with certain handicaps, it could be your lot to teach others some valuable lessons in life. So don't mope around and feel sorry for yourself. There are others 100 times worse off than you.
That is why this year, as I have decided, will be another great year for me. It will be full of excitement, joy, happiness and surprises - all in the positive light. In turn, I shall endeavour to bring as much joy and happiness that I receive. As they say what goes around comes around.
The punchline is: Decide it be so and so shall it be.





So the opportunity arrives

Call all knife knuts