Countdown

It is the time of the year again. 
The countdown begins.
It is also the time of the year when we reflect on our achievements, memorable moments and also our mistakes.  Did we learn from our mistakes and moving forward be a better person.

It is also the time of the year when we sit back and reflect.
It is also the time when we made our resolutions again.
Or it is another day in the year......

Something to think about.

Memorable day 121212

It is a memorable day, however it is nothing special about the day as it is like any ordinary day. While it is not a very auspicious date, many have choose this date for wedding merely because it is unique.  However since 121212 is on a week day, it is not very popular unlike 111111 as it fell on a Friday.  

The world enters a challenging period from now till 24 December.  While the world is not going to end, we should exercise caution as the date does not have good energy. It is best not to do anything auspicious such as start a business or get married with the energy of the moon.

Something for sharing

Littering

Singapore has increased the fine for littering.  A good move as it acts as a deterrent and it is what is needed to keep the city tidy.

Maybe we can take a cue from that so that our future generations can live in more congenial conditions.  We should shame the litterbugs because some of us only learn the hard way.  That is one way to keep Malaysia clean and green, but can we do it?  Littering is fast becoming a norm in Malaysian society and it is everywhere on the streets and many other public places. 

Will Malaysians learn from the lesson? Well, hopefully one day we will inclucate good habits as it will stay with us. 

Something for sharing.

Obsession with straight A's

The UPSR results are out and as usual students with straight A's are getting all the attention.  Students who do not perform well are sidelined and looked down upon.  Children nowadays are subjected to tremendous pressure to do well academically.  Is it of great significance in the future of a child?  Does it mean when they do not perform well in the UPSR examination, their future is doomed?

Whenever examination results are out, the often asked question amoung parents is, `How many A's did your child get?'  I should said that children should enjoy their time in school as education is not only about academic results.  Also if everyone is to score all A's and become high flyers, does it mean everyone is CEO of Companies?  All become CEO and where are the workers?

Something for sharing.

The story of butterfly

A man found a butterfuly's cocoon.  One day, a small opening in the cocoon appeared.  He sat and watched the butterfuly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole.  Then it seemed to stop making any progress.  It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could, and it could go no further.  So the man decided to help the butterfly.  He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon.  The butterfly then emerged easily.  But it had a swollen body and small shrivelled wings.

The man continued to watch the butterfuly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand until it could support the body which would contract in time.  Neither happened!  In fact the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shirvelled wings.  It never was able to fly.

What the man in his kindness and haste, did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were the Creator's way of forcing fluid from the butterfly's body into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it freed itself from the cocoon.

If you'd just listen

When we meet people who really take the time to be present and focus on what we are saying, we feel heard.  It is very telling when you are speaking to someone who keeps looking over your shoulder or somewhere else that they are not fully present or paying attention to you. 

Listening does not teach you about the people you interact with but it helps you gain wisdom and knowledge about the world around us. Listening skills also applied to managing the fast paced every changing world of social media. When a person is actively listening to a speech can be as tired as the person delivering it, because it take effort to absorb and try to understand what someone is saying.

Engage in active listening and there it goes.

Generation Y

People born before 1945 were called the Greatest Generation.
People born between 1946 and 1964 are called The Baby Boomers.
People born between 1965 and 1979 are called Generation X.
And people born between 1980 and 2010 are Generation Y.

Why do we call the last group - Generation Y?
Y should I get a job?
Y should I leave home and find my own place?
Y should I get a car when I can borrow yours?
Y should I clean my room?
Y should I wash and iron my own clothes?
Y should I buy any food?

Something for sharing.

Positive vibes

From a young age, I believe that anything is possible and I maintain a positive outlook.  Of course, when I begin to realize that the sometime is pure fiction, I wonder what else are fantasies.  When the  odds against me, I tend to have a negative outlook. Besides, reality is hard to ignore when what I hope for does not come to fruition, it is hard to be optimistic when life keeps giving me a raw deal.

Also the fear of being disappointed is a big deterrent when pursuing my dreams - the thought of a crushing defeat, the whispers of ridicule I might have to endure or the pain of financial loss if things dont work out.

If I have a glass half full sort, I'd best not be around the glass half empty folks.

Something for sharing.

Annual Dinner

 

We have our annual dinner at Sunway Hotel on 28 September 2012.  The staff all dressed to kill and it was a real spectacle.  The theme of the night was `Night of the Stars'.  It was the second time where we conducted our annual dinner at Sunway Hotel.  We have to vote the best singers for the night and the vote was 60% by the judges and 40% was via the SMS messaging.

Something for sharing.

Go Green Contest

Today is the prize presentation for the contest `Go Green' at the workplace.  Five prizes were awarded to the participants on the contest `Go Green'.  I was awarded the 4th prize of a recycled bag and a plate rested on a stand.  All materials are using go green.The plate was endorsed by our Chairman who has now moved on to Singapore and his signature on the plate was now considered priceless.  Just imagine my surprise when the prize was presented to me.  For one moment in time, I thought I would have received a potted plant in line with the Go Green concept. 

Something for sharing

Fight or Flight

When you are a manager or the owner of the Company, you are a leader and managing conflicts becomes half a day's work that may hinder getting the real tasks done.

When none of these can be resolved, it seems that are only two way to do it: fight or flight.  Fight refers to getting out every single staff member of yours and dissecting their mistakes, while flight is to wait for the problem to dissolve by itself through avoidance.  Sometimes, it is an unlikely combination of both fight and flight.

As leaders should learn to engage with their employees and at the time figure out how to provide and support them along the path of development.

Something for sharing

Lesson of Time

When a bird is alive ..... It eats Ants
When the bird is dead .....  Ants eat the bird!
Time and Circumstances can change at any time ......
Dont devalue or hurt anyone in life.
You may be powerful today .....  But Remember,
Time is more powerful than you !!!!
One tree makes a million match sticks .....
But when the time comes ....
Only one match stick is needed to burn a million trees .....
So be good and do good ...........

Millionaires' secret

How do you define millionaries?  A millionaries is measured by his disposable income. those who make a million would not have the same purchasing power, compared to a decade ago citing inflation as the main reason.  What then is the secret to their success, attainment of a million and qualify to be a millionaire.  Sometime it boil down to knowing when and how to invest. Do the right thing at the right time and it is just so simple.

In a free market and capitalist economy like Malaysia, people who have capital can generate millions. Here we are talking of capital and investment with a self generating income. If we have a million in hand after we convert the value our properties, investment and pay off the debts, then we are a millionaires.

Something for sharing.

Bazi for Smart Money

I attended a workshop `Bazi for Smart Money'. 
How to become rich is always on our minds.  We are considered rich when we have our discretionary time to pursue our own interests.  Think about being on a vacation for weeks and yet there is residual income to our pockets. 

Bazi profiling is a diagnostic tool that describes how we function inside - basically reveals our basic or inborn personality structure.  Learning of our bazi profile style is a matter of inference - realizing the deeper reason behind a myriad of different sorts of behaviours. 

What does smart money mean?  It simply means money than can work for us to generate continuous wealth or profits.  Smart money has everything to do with our effort, talent and our work dedication in sustaining a lasting fortune.

Something for sharing.

Contrary Proverbs II

The best things in life are free but there's no such thing as a free lunch;
Slow and steady wins the race but time waits for none;
Do it well or not at all but half a loaf is better than none;
Doubt is the beginning of wisdom but faith will move mountains;
Great starts make great finishes but it isn't over till it's over;
Practice makes perfect but all wodk and no play makes Jack a dull boy;
Silence is golden but the squeaky wheel gets the grease;
You're never too old to learn but you can't teach an old dog new tricks;
What's good for the goose is good for the gender but one man's meat is another man's poison.

Contrary Proverbs

The pen is mighter than the sword but actions speak louder than words;
Too many cooks spoil the broth but many hands make light work;
Absence makes the heart grow fonder but out of sight, out of mind;
Look before you leap but stike while the iron is hot;
Birds of a feather flock together but opposites attract;
Don't cross your bridges before you come to them but forewarned is forearmed;
All good things come to those who wait but time and tide wait for none;
Wise men think alike but fools seldom differ;
Hold fast to the words of your ancestors but wise men make proverbs and fools repeat them.

Eco-friendly environment

My Company has launched a `Go Green Day' on 1st June 2012 with rewards for the hidden greenies.  In conjunction with the campaign, we have a `Go Green Awareness' contest.  In less than one thousand words, we have to write an article on the awareness and also ways and means to instill it in the workplace using the concept of reduce, reuse, repurpose, recycle and rebuild.  We may write about our current Go Green practices and Go Green attitude.

What are the steps we are taking to save the planet and how it makes our life more eco-friendly and sustainable.  Go Green is the buzzword now.

Something for sharing.

The birds and the bees

An aid worker has been asigned to a remote Malian village to talk to the inhabitants about the importance of birth control.

Armed with several boxes of condoms, he began his campiagn by talking about the correct usage of this contraceptive.  To get his message across, he demonstrated by putting a condom over the end of a broomstick.  The assembled villagers laughed with embarrassment and then nodded their heads to indicate that they understood the contraceptive's application.

Twelve months later, the village's birth rate had skyrocketed.  The aid worker was once again dispatched to speak to the local people.

`What happened?' he asked a village spokesperson. `Didn't you use the condoms I gave you?'

`We did everything as instructed.' the villager responded. `Just before making love to my wife, I would always put a condom on the end of our broomstick.  I don't understand what went wrong.'

Something for sharing.

Control of credit card

Credit cards have become an essential necessity in our daily lives. We use them often and some people even use them instead of cash. Truth is, we cant leave home without them.  A credit card can be useful if we learn how to use the card in a controlled manner.  However, if the cards are used in an impulsive manner, then can get into trouble financially.  When credit card usage get out of control, people end up in debt. 

How do we stop this spiral of overspending and growing debt?  It all depends on individual to control our spending.  It all boils down to own unique mindset, personaility, behaviour and attitudes.Even idential twins could display different behavious, when it comes to money and credit cards.

We must treat credit card like our cash, think before we spend. In fact it is our rationalise our spending pattern that counts.  Rationalise before signing on the credit card slips.

The child

Guard your lips when a child is near;
For children repeat the things they hear.
Let no ugly tones be heard.....
No carefless talk, no vulgar word.....
For it is wicked and a sin
To mar the innocence within by language worse and unrefined.
That leaves the mark upon the mind.

Little ears are listening.
Little ears catch everything.
Control your feelings - check your tongue....
In the hearing of the young.......
God sends a littel one to you as fresh and sweet as morning dew.
So let your speech be pure and mild in the presence of a child.

A poem to share

Can there be roses without thorns, sunshine without rain?
Can there be laughter without tears, happiness without pain?
Just as the sun must set to bring us a new tomorrow.
So let us not forget that joy follows sorrow.
How may we expect achievement if we put forth no effort?
And without having first endured  hardship.
How can we relish future days of comfort?
Without knowing darkness, can we appreciate light?
We look forward to the warmth of the day.
But let's remember, it comes only with the passing of night.
Trouble will come but it will soon pass by.
Just as after the rain, there'll be a rainbow in the sky.

Go Green

It's a go green day.
Think Green. Act Green. Go Green.
My Motivational Guru is enlightented to preserve green spaces in ensuring a better environment.
Go paperless if possible.
Print both sides of paper if feasible.
Turn off the lights when you leave a room.
Power off machines and dont let them loom.
Make it a habit to recycle.
Buy items that are reusable.
Do away with plastic bags.
Make use of a bag with an eco tag.
So let's play our part to recycle, reduce and reuse.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is an occasions to pay tribute to our mothers for all the love and care they have given to us selflessly and all these years. They have nurtured us, been with us through good and bad times, showed us right from wrong and made us who we are today.

Mother is the captain of our ship. She sees and senses everything. Her love to us knows no bounds.

Happy Mother's Day

Confusing Chinese Names

Caller : Hello, can I speak to Annie Wan (anyone)?
Operator: Yes you can speak to me.
Caller: No, I want to speak to Annie Wan (anyone).
Operator: You are talking to someone. Who is this?
Caller: I'm Sam Wan (someone) And I need to talk to Annie Wan (anyone). It's urgent.
Operator: I know you are someone and you want to talk to anyone. But what's this urgent matter about?
Caller: Well.. just tell my sister Annie Wan (anyone) that our brother Noel Wan (no one) has involved in an accident. Noel Wan (no one) got injured and now Noel Wan (no one) is being sent to the hospital. Right now, Avery Wan (everyone) is on his way to the hospital.
Operator: Look if no one was injured and no one was sent to the hospital, then the accident isn't an urgent matter. You may find this hilarious but I don't have time for this!
Caller: You are so rude! Who are you?
Operator: I'm Saw Lee (sorry)
Caller : Yes. You should be sorry. Now give me your name!!!

Something for sharing

E Paper

No one would have imagined that the newspapers would become so interactive. But thanks to technology, the Star paper will make history in that the readers can read e paper in the same format as the original. Just read the paper in its original form on a computer tablet and even watch a video associated with an article.

Thanks to the emergence of smartphones and tablet computers, the Star paper is now available online to those who want to read it in its original format and they can also switch to Internet edition for updates at the same time.

The e paper is on trial for one month and is available for subscription at a lower cost comes May 2012. Furthermore the e paper readers in remote areas such as Sabah and Sarawak can now read the newspaper not later than seven in the morning.

A great step in change technology.

Something for sharing.

Managing Debts

Borrowing money means getting into debt. There are many ways to land oneself in the clutch of debt - credit cards, hire purchase, student loans and the list goes on and on. When we borrow, we need to repay the loan amount or principal plus interest. Interest is what a borrower pays a lender for the temporary use of the financial facility or lender's money.

Debt is like a rubber band. When we stretch too far and it will snap. If the rubber band is to snap, it will hurt our hands. We have to learn to manage our debts well, live within our means and manage our financial affairs well. We must constantly spend less than what we earn. We must be mindful of our spending and learn to control it effectively.

Saving for emergencies is equivalent to keeping a functionable spare tyre in our car. It is advisable to set aside for a rainy day.

Phone Addiction

If we ask a random passer-by what they couldn't leave home without, chances are they will nominate their mobile phone.

Communication is definitely a priority in life. In the quest of always being in touch and reach of friends, we end up neglecting the ones who are sitting right in front of us at the dining table. Addiction to mobile phone can lead to a host of problems.

Family meals where members hardly talk to each other as their attention is focused n the mobile phones/smartphones. They tend to pay more attention to their phones instead of family members at the dining table. Isn't it rude to let our attention drift away when someone is talking to us? There have been time of absolute silence where a few family members would be looking at their mobile phone instead of each other. There is lack of communication and interaction when we focus more on our mobile phones. Many children who are hooked on mobile phones, texting and online chatting may be unable to handle real life, not forgetting the health related problems too.

Something for sharing.

Jokes of the World

A young man went to his father one day to tell him that he wanted to get married. His father was happy for him. He asked his son who the girl was, and he told him that it was Samantha, a girl from the neighbourhood.

With a sad face, the old man said to his son `I'm sorry to say this son, but I have to. The girl you want to marry is your sister, but please don't tell your mother.'

The young man again brought three more names to his father, but ended up frustrated because the response was still the same. So he decides to go to his mother, `Mom, I want to get married but all the girls that I love, dad said they are my sisters and I mustn't tell you.'

His mother smiling said to him, `Don't worry my son, you can marry any of those girls. You're not his son.'

Something for sharing.

Trip to Bali

Tanah Lot is the temple which symbolizes the melting pot of natural and cosmic elements and we were there to witness it in Bali. However, we did not stay till sunset as it is magnificent at sunset. The waves are quite a spectacle.

We also witnessed the Barong Dance, it represents an eternal fight between good and evil spirts. The dance lasted for half an hour.

We have had good memories of Bali after a 5 days 4 night visit.

The Magic of Colours

The colour Green
Have you ever wondered why people say `Green with Envy' and also `Green eyed monster'. Why do they associate jealousy with the colour green? When we think of green, we tend to associate the colour green with the trees in the forest, not jealously. If we are given approval for a project at hand means we have the green light to proceed.

The colour red
If the business is losing money, we said the business is in red. Red on the other hand means prosperity and richness. If we suddenly get very angry, we start to `see red' but on the other hand if we are celebrating and in high spirits, we might want to `paint the town red'. Red is a fierce colour and it symbolises aggressive, bad tempered, impulsive and centre of attention. We hope to get red carpet welcome when we attend functions. Red is also associated with danger.

The significance of colours have been studied throughout history and despite meaning different thing to different people, they do have an effect on us. What colours are we drawn to on a daily basis?

Something for sharing.

The goat and the horse

There was a farmer who collected horses, he only needed one more breed to complete his collection. One day, he found out that his neighbor had the particular horse breed he needed. So, he constantly bothered his neighbor until he sold it to him. A month later, the horse became ill and he called the veterinarian who said, `Well your horse has a virus. He must take this medicine for three days. I'll come back on the 3rd day and if he's not better, we're going to have to put him down.'

Nearby the goat listened closely to their conversation. The next day, they gave him the medicine and left. The goat approached the horse and said, `Be strong, my friend. Get up or else they're going to put you to sleep.'

On the second day, they gave him the medicine and left. The goat came back and said, `Come on buddy, get up or else you're going to die. Come on, I'll help you get up. Let's go! One, two, three......'

On the third day, they came to give him the medicine and the vet said, `Unfortunately, we're going to have to put him down tomorrow. Otherwise, the virus might spread and infect the other horses.'

After they left, the goat approached the horse and said, `Listen pal. It's now or never! Get up, come on! Have courage! Come on! Get up! That's it, slowly! Great! Come on, one, two, three..... Good, good. Now faster, come on ..... Fantastic! Run, run more! Yes! Yes! You did it, you're a champion!!!!!!

All or a sudden, the owner came back, saw the horse running in the field and began shouting, `It's a miracle! My horse is cured. This deserves a party. Let's slaughter the goat!'

Points for reflection
This often happens in the workplace. Nobody truly knows which employee actually deserves the merit of success or who's actually contributing the necessary support to make things happen.

LEARNING TO LIVE WITHOUT RECOGNITION IS A SKILL.
If anyone ever tells you that your work is unprofessional, remember: amateurs built the Ark and professionals built the Titanic

Dont' wait

Don't wait for time. Make it.
Don't wait for love. Feel it.
Don't wait for money. Earn it.
Don't wait for the path. Find it.
Don't wait for opportunity. Create it.
Don't settle for less. Strive for the best.
Don't compare. Be unique.
Don't fight your misfortune. Transform it.
Don't avoid failure. Use it.
Don't dwell on a mistake. Learn from it.
Don't back down. Go around.
Don't close your eyes. Open your mind.
Don't run from life Embrace it.

Valentine's Day

Today is Valentine's Day and is significant to couples. However Valentine's Day is a day not only for couples, it is a day to express our love to all persons that are dear to us. Malaysians are no exception when expressing their love on this day over a candlelight dinner and some even exchange their vows.

The truth behind the legend remains unknown. Valentine has always been seen as a loyal loving hero. Valentine's Day is a day whenever love is expressed with a multitude of of gifts.

Happy Valentine's Day.

Art of Listening

In management, we often talk of listening. Hearing and listening are different aspects of management. What is importance lies in the fact that whether our supervisors listen to us and vice versa.

Do we listen to what our subordinates have to say? Incorporating their suggestions will go a long way to help them claim ownership of their work. We as supervisors should control our emotions and do not make hasty judgements. Get detailed feedback by asking our subordinates open-ended questions using 1H and 5W approach: How, why, what, when, where and who.

Something for sharing

Principles of Life

No point using limited life to chase unlimited money.
No point earning so much money you cannot live to spend it.
Money is not yours until you spend it.

When you are young, you use your health to chase your wealth, when you are old, you use your wealth to regain your health.
How happy a man is, is not how much he has but how little he needs.
No point working so hard to provide for the people you have no time to spend with.

Something for sharing

Exercises for elderly

The importance of exercise both for young and older adults has been reiterated again and again. Healthy living includes healthy mind and body.
The following exercies are recommended for the seniors:
Stretching exercises
It gives more freedom allowing people to be more active even during their senior years. Stretching exercises alone will not improve endurance or strength.

Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises are any activity that increases your heart rate and breathing for an extended period of time. Build up your endurance gradually starting with as little as five minute of activity at a time.

Balanced exercises
It help the elderly stay independent by helping them to avoid the disabilities that could result from falling. Balanced exercises build leg muscles and help to prevent falls.

Strength exercises
It build muscles for the elderly and increase their metabolism which helps to keep their weight and blood sugar in check.

Something for sharing

Lunar New Year 2012

This is the year of the water dragon and there are a lot of predictions about the year. 2012 seems to be a great year judging by the comparisons made with the previous year.

Feng Shui practitioners have been giving insights on the predictions for the year. Every Feng Shui practitioner does not want to miss anything out and is jumping on to the bandwagon. We have to activate the chi when receiving the God of Wealth on New Year Eve. The Feng Shui practitioners also give us dates for opening after the new year. These dates are auspicious and will be a good start for the year. On the other hand, there are dates in the year that we have to avoid at all costs.

In less than a week, we will be celebrating the lunar new year. Let hope the new year will bring abundance, joy and happiness to all of us.

Processed foods

We have the power to change our eating habits by refusing to buy all the processed junk sold at bargain prices. Think about the impact the processed junk food has on our health. Take a closer look at what is being served on the dining table.

Whenever we choose highly processed mass produced food, you also got a bargain on our well being. The money we saved by buying those cheap foods will end up getting spent on improving our health. When we are young and healthy, we chase after wealth. When we are sick, we use wealth to regain our health.

A doctor once said `If you don't put diesel in a gas driven car, why would we put chemicals in our body through unnatural foods'. Think again, people are going for organic foods and health has become a priority.

Something for sharing.