Independence

Being independent is the ultimate goal we all have, whether or not we realize it.

When we are born, we are all dependent on the people around us. We depend on them to feed us. We depend on them to protect us. We depend on them to nurture us. Whatever we need, we depend on someone to provide. As we grow, step by step we learn to do things on our own. We no longer need anyone to feed us, carry us around, or help us change dirty diapers. We learn to find ways to deal with incidents that happen around us. We become more and more independent with each passing day.

Though there will be some who are still dependent on their parents even after schooling years. Perhaps they have been heavily protected to the point that they do not realize they have a life to live. Perhaps they do not understand that their parents will one day leave them behind. Who is to blame for the dependency of such children? Some would blame the parents for being over-protective. In actual fact, everything falls back to the individual themselves. They cannot blame other people for their unwillingness to take one step out of their comfort zone. If they are able to show their parents that they can do it on their own, there is no reason their parents should hold them back.

What is the meaning of independence?

It is being in a state of freedom from external control.
It is being in a state of not depending on another for the sustenance of live.
It is being in a state of capable of thinking or acting for oneself.

The state of being is one that every individual should focus on. Very often, we depend on external views to enable us to make decisions that matter in our life or the life of others. Why is that so?

Humans are sociable creatures. We love to think that our every decision will affect many things around us. Many of times, this is true. Every single decision we make could have a huge impact on the lives of others. Perhaps it is our responsibility to get opinions of others before making that big decision of ours. While the opinions of others may be important to guide us, it should never ever override the ultimate decision we make. There will be people who disagree with us one way or the other. As long as the decision we make is for the better of the majority, we have to pay a small price of the unhappy minority.

Every individual is different and have their own mindset. It is impossible to make every single person happy about our decision. As long as the decision we make is a well-thought one which gives a positive impact to the world, nature, and community, we have every right to stand firm to that regardless of what the haters say.

Some people are very keen on living in their own box. We can try to explain to them the positivity of our decision but they are just reluctant to listen. It is okay. The best way we can go about this situation is to make things happen through our decision. Results will explain everything. When we show them the great achievements of our doing, there is no reason for them to continue their objection. Never ever should we give in to their lame excuses. Never ever should we try to argue with them. Time will tell.

How to be independent?

Life is simple. Independence is achieved when we are free and easy.

It is easier said than done. Humans have created borders and countries. Each country has its own leaders. The independence of the country is very much dependent on the leader itself. However, there is no hard fixed place we cannot venture. We only need to know how to do it. There have been solo or group travelers who have been around the world, through borders of numerous countries, just on their bike. This is the state of freedom we all seek but never get to doing.

Independence of an individual is easy to achieve. Independence of a country requires strength and courage of many individuals to provide a better livelihood for their young. Cherish the freedom we have and be grateful for the sacrifice of our forefathers so we can live peacefully in our home country.

Selamat Hari Merdeka!

 

A great step towards independence is a good-humored stomach, one that is willing to endure rough treatment.

Lucius Annaeus Seneca (Seneca the Younger), Hispano-Roman Stoic philosopher, 4BC-65AD

Creative

Creativity starts from within.

We are all born to be creative one way or the other. Perhaps in our eyes other people are almost always more creative than we are. Being creative also means to have a sense of confidence. When we are confident, our minds work better. When we are confident, we know we can make a difference.

There is no limitation to the type of creativity one has.

We live in a world full of barriers. There are barriers between countries and also within each country. These barriers have been formed to differentiate between the right and wrong, the rich and poor. It is called the law.

Humans have created law to keep order. Whilst this may be the way we are educated, to think that law is good for us, it also keeps us in a box, limiting our thoughts. Everything we do, we have to first look at the law, whether or not we are abiding by the law. Otherwise, we would probably end up in trouble for doing things against the law. This is just the way common people think.

Successful people think differently. While we have the perception that they can do whatever they want because they have a whole table of lawyers to back them up, we have forgotten that they were also once like us, nobody. Being successful is not about inheriting riches and power, it is all about building trust from scratch. This is the reason why we should never envy rich people we see. Instead, model them. Line our path creatively to reach the status we yearn for.

Money is just a tool. Some people tend to think that money is the master of all evils and they wonder why they are always living on the brink. We have made ourselves believe in our own limitations. Just because the rich people that we meet have poor attitude, that does not mean all rich people are the same. We are all individuals. People can be as kind or nasty as can be, whether or not they are multimillionaires. There is no price tag in kindness.

Perhaps if we think creatively, we will begin to understand that we should love money. Money can buy many things, even power. If we want to make a change, if we want to make a better world, we need to have money. The world that we currently live in is built on money. We cannot deny that. Everyone knows it for a fact. We either depend on public funding or we build a business to make the money to refurbish this place we call home. Either way, we need money.

We are all dwellers on earth. Each day will pass whether we like it or not and with each passing day, we grow a little older. But there is no limitation to what our mind is. As we age, we become wiser too. There is no limitation to what we can do. We are all born equal. It is up to us to open up our minds, to be creative about life.

We love preset. Our parents and teachers have told us that we have to do certain things at a certain age in a certain way. Our minds have been conditioned to believe so since the day we are born. We live through each day observing the people around us. We learn from what they do and we believe that everything we see is true. This is the reason why we are who we are now. No difference from the lives they have had.

The internet has grown fast and vast over the years. We have the ability to search. We have the awareness of technology. We have the knowledge that is held in our hands. We can choose to do exactly what others do, or we can be different. Successful people think creatively, never are they limited to what others say or do. They have their own mindset, which is something we should model upon. They are never satisfied with what is placed in front of them. They like to think otherwise, and take up the challenge of being different. Every roadblock they face, they see it as a stepping stone to nudge up higher.

We mould our own life. Be creative to succeed.

 

To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong.

Joseph Chilton Pearce (Joe), American author, 1926-2016

Confidence

How is it that some people are so confident and I am not?

Perhaps many would be asking this very question simply because we do not understand where confidence come from. Some say we have to be successful in order to be confident. Is it really in that order? Or we have mistakenly think that it is in that order? Perception can be misleading.

What really is confidence?

Dictionaries will tell us the synonyms but understanding the truth about confidence take more than just that. Confidence is something that only a handful have and it is something that many chase after. Everybody want to be confident in some way or the other.

How do we achieve the confidence level that satisfies our need?

There is no hard proof way to be confident. A minority are lucky enough to be born confident, most are not. We should never feel small because we do not yet have the confidence. There is nothing wrong with us. We are just not prepared yet. There is work to be done. Never ever envy people who are confident. Instead, learn from them, how they become who they are today.

Confidence come from preparedness. Nobody is born an expert in any field. Everything is about how we spend our time with. We can spend it all on pleasure of watching Korean dramas or nosing around other people’s social media postings, or we can choose to upgrade ourselves. Learning is no longer in a classroom setting. Learning can be through the World Wide Web. There are so many motivational gurus out there that have uploaded videos and snippets and also posters for us to encounter. All we need to do is to turn on the computer or use our smartphone to simply surf with positive keywords and we are bound to discover things that we never believed we can ever do.

Boost! Boost up ourselves. Boost up our motivation.

We only have one life. Make this life worthwhile. There are so many things we can learn. Perhaps sometimes we will drown in the vast information available to us. We get lost. We do not know what we want to do, or what is it that we are passionate about. Everyone goes through this level of uncertainty. Look and look some beyond. Read up. Watch how other people are doing it. When we study through, we will learn and finally find what it is that brings us most interest.

When we know something well enough, we will be confident about it. Rather than being Jack of all trades, it would be better to niche down to just one thing. There are too many topics to learn and we can never learn them all. Instead, keep things simple, just be great at one topic so that we can bring value to others by helping them in it. We are all different. When we are great at one thing, we will give chance for other people to help us in other things that they are great at.

Why is confidence important in life?

Being confident strengthens a relationship. Perhaps we do not see it this way but in any relationship, we need to have trust and confidence that the relationship will grow. Some say relationships do not last but perhaps they are just narrowing themselves. Relationships are not limited to the male female kind. Relationships also mean family, friends, and even strangers. Not all relationship will last but at least we know we have done our best to give value to others whilst we are in it.

Being confident brings wealth. A confident person is also seen as one that others look up to. If we walk into a store and a sale person approaches us telling us how great their product is but he does not show any confidence in the product, will we buy? Understanding what makes people nudge is a skill that is only present in a person who understands what other people need. It is a skill not inborn but rather from observation.

Being confident promotes health. When a person is confident, we can see it in their posture. A confident person always have a charisma that others can see and feel. The person is always standing tall, sitting straight, and talking with a point. A confident person is also an influencer. When we are confident, we are strict about our own lifestyle and the foods we gobble. This is what promotes a healthy body and it works back to making us confident.

Confidence can be nurtured. Be confident of who we are.

 

Confidence comes not from always being right but from not fearing to be wrong.

Peter McIntyre OBE, New Zealand painter and author, 1910-1995

Solution

There is always a solution to a problem. We just need to know where to look.

Problems exist everywhere. It is part and parcel of life. It is not the matter of whether or not a problem exists, it is a matter of how to solve the problem. A problem can be big or small. It really does not matter the size. There is always a solution.

Most often we like to avoid what is inconvenient to us. But life is ever changing. How can we ever avoid circumstances that we do not like? Even if we choose to do nothing now, we still have to face the consequences at some point of time. Whether it is now or later, we still have to face whatever challenge life brings us. This is how we can improve.

Life is about moving forward. Humans, after a certain point in life, would probably have found a place they feel comfortable in, the comfort zone. While this sounds good, it would mean we are stagnant as it is. It feels comfortable not to change and change seems to be a huge problem. Still, every problem has a solution. We just need to learn to step out of this comfort zone that we have created for ourselves.

There is no place in this world that is a one size fits all. Everyone has a different opinion of their comfort zone. Some are just content. They are happy with the way life is. They do not want to change anything in their life. But life changes. We age. People around us will die. One way or the other, we still need to get out of that comfort zone to face all that is placed upon us. There is no eternity to comfort. It would be easier to adapt if we are to constantly change the way our mind works.

Open up the mind!

Some people just love challenges. They are always in the competent mode. They love to push themselves over their own limits. They love to thrust beyond boundaries.

It is through perseverance and commitment that one can succeed in life.

Life is ever changing and we all know that it is a fact. Why do we want to get ourselves stuck at that moment? It is great to live in the moment but never ever to get ourselves stuck in that very moment for the rest of our lives.

When someone leaves us, we can mourn, we can feel sad, we can cry, but only at the moment. After that, life goes on. Whatever that has happened, just let it stay in the past. Throughout our lifetime, we will miss the person every now and then, but we do not need to loop our minds to remind us of the sadness when the person left. In fact, we should live life to the fullest to show respect to the person.

When a decision is made without our consent, and problems arise, it is easy to blame and say that the person made the wrong decision. It is convenient to say that it is not our problem. But we always have to look at it in the big picture. How is that problem affecting my life? Perhaps we do not see it now. Sooner or later we will.

When a problem is placed in front of us, it is only rightful to look at the problem and find ways to solve it, rather than to say “it has got nothing to do with me”. Take one problem at a time. Ponder upon it, read up on it, and research about it. Whatever means we have, we give it a try. Whether or not we succeed in finding the solution is depending on our actions.

Sometimes there are problems that require no solution because over time, the problem will dissolve itself. Sometimes there are problems that require no solution from us because someone else will be on top of it. Sometimes there are problems that require very little effort simply because they are recurrent and we are familiar with it. Sometimes there are problems that require tender loving care because they involve people around us and one wrong step could cause an emotional breakdown.

We can search high and low, there is no place in this world that is problem-free. But a solution is always around.

 

Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate, and doubt, to offer a solution everybody can understand.

Colin Luther Powell (Colin Powell), American politician, 1937-present

Manage

We find that there are a hundred and one things we have to manage in our lifetime. How do we determine the importance?

There are management courses we can study from. Anybody can teach us anything. With the information at hand, we are supposedly able to handle our life in the most organized manner. However, life is as such that we soon realize we are not meant to do certain things that we want to do. How do we go about that?

At times, we may feel like we are lost. We find that we are overwhelmed by all the information and suggestions we get from everywhere. Different people seems to be educating us the way they think is best. Instead of guidance, it becomes a burden to follow suit what others say. Perhaps we have not realized that each person is different. What works for one may not work for another.

The only way to succeed in whatever we do is to get down and dirty on it. Through trial and error, we are shaping ourselves to become an entirely new person. Sometimes, we may not have even thought that whatever we do is possible. It is like a miracle, a dream come true. If we take one step off, we will find that we learn much better by experience rather than what others say.

We have to understand one very important point, that this is our life. The life that we have to live on our own terms. There may be people to guide us every now and then along the way but it is us that is walking ourselves through the end. It may be hard to stay focused with all the distractions of what is perceived as the real life, but we can choose which direction we want to go.

One way or the other, we still have to do what it takes to be the person we want to be. Perhaps we can surround ourselves with the like-minded people. Technology permits us to do so even without moving from our seats right in the comfort of our own home. Instead of spending time scrolling through other people’s livelihood, why not spend the time learning through people we want to model?

Time is all about management. Each of us have the same number of hours each day. When time is lost, there is no gaining back. It is of utmost importance that we spend each minute wisely. The choice is ours. We can choose to nose around what is happening in other people’s lives or we can choose to nurture ourselves to become better. Never ever sell time for nothing. Time is priceless.

Whatever that can be solved with money, is not a problem at all. Spending a little money to get stress off ourselves is worth a lot more than the money spent. Stress, whether we realize or not, is something that takes up a bulk of our time in life. How often do we stress on something we did or did not do in the past that makes us regret? How often we stress on something that might happen in the future?

Being stressed not only burns our precious time, it also puts us in a never-ending loop, just like listening to the same music over and over to the point we feel stuck. If not now, when? Whatever that has happened is in the past. Whatever that has yet to happen is beyond our control. All we need to do is really just to live in the moment. We can choose to continue our current ways or to change our lifestyle. The choice is in our own hands.

When we need help, stretch out to get help. When somebody else needs help, stretch out to lend a helping hand. Humans are communal creatures. We can live in a crowd and learn from each other. The only important point is to choose the community wisely. If we want to reach a certain level in life, we have to surround ourselves with people that have been there or are going in the same direction. Self-motivation can only go so far. With the support from others, we can push beyond our own limits.

Manage time, people, and ourselves wisely.

 

When you can’t solve the problem, manage it.

Robert Harold Schuller (Robert H. Schuller), American Christian televangelist, 1926-2015

Special

We are all special in our own way!

Everyone is born for a reason and the reason is to be our self. How many times have we looked at other people and admire them for who they are? We sometimes envy them for what they can do. Then, we look down on ourselves for not being that healthy or wealthy person as we see.

The world is changing every minute. Technology permits us to get free information easily. We can get whatever materials we want to be the person we want to be. Instead of looking up to the other people and think small of ourselves, why not just take the first step in making the change in ourselves? What is pulling us back from chasing our dreams?

Everyone has a dream. There is this one dream that we want to achieve but have no idea where to start and how to start. Information is vast and we find it difficult to digest every bit of it. So where do we start? How do we do it like those successful people out there?

Some people are born lucky. Without any effort, everything is given to them. There are not that many people who are successful by chance or luck. Most reach the height by effort.

It takes effort to take that first step. We can search. We can look. Whatever it is, information is worthless if never put into action. What works for one may not work for others. While we feel like drowning in the World Wide Web, there are pieces here and there that we can use to path our own way.

It takes courage to move forward. Trial and error is hard way and takes time but it is also the foolproof way to learn the path that suits us best. We have signed up for a dozen courses and searched for a thousand ways to go about chasing our dream. People can tell us anything but if that does not suit us, then we might as well be different.

It takes perseverance to bring ourselves to the next level. Normal people tend to give up half way saying that it is impossible because we have not seen results past all time and efforts put in. Perhaps we have been looking at things the other way around. The goals can be set high, but the steps have to be laid. Unless we have wings, otherwise we still have to take one step at a time.

If we find it really hard to believe the toughness in life, perhaps life really is simple. We just do not see it yet. Whatever material things that we chase after are just things that matter now, but not later. Time is playing a trick on us. Nothing in this world lasts forever.

If we can understand that life means change, and we take action to change, then we are definitely one step closer to realizing our dreams. If we change now, there is a chance that we will succeed one day. If we refuse to make the first move, then we are definitely stagnant in the same spot till the end of our days in this life. Change is inevitable.

We will never know where change brings us. We will never walk the exact same path as any other person in this world. We each have the right to create that special path for ourselves. With all the information we have, with all the lessons learnt along the way, we soon will notice that we are special in our own way.

There is no room for comparison. There is only idols for us to model upon. Creating something entirely new can be hectic. It takes such a long time to reach a checkpoint. Instead of envying other people, why not ponder upon them? What is it that the person is doing that I am not? What makes that person special that he is looked up upon? What can I learn from the person to make my life easier?

Look beyond what we can see. Appreciate the differences.

 

We’re all different. That’s what makes us special. We have to love each other and get on with each other. It’s not up to me to judge anybody.

Carrie Marie Underwood (Carrie Underwood), American singer, 1983-present

Essential

What is essential?

This is a question that would probably prompt many answers from different perspective. What is essential to one may not be as essential to another. Somehow, everyone would agree that money is the one most essential thing that humans need in order to survive in this era. It is true that money can buy all the things we need for the lifestyle we yearn to have.

Some people may say that it is of utmost importance that we have a full and prepared wardrobe. There should be something for every occasion, especially that ball we have to attend. Whatever that has been worn should not reappear in another occasion to avoid being seen in the same outfit twice. While this creates opportunity for the fashion industry, it is at the cost of nature. Perhaps having a little swap party can resolve this issue.

Some people may say that they not only need to look good, they also need to smell good. We are correct to want to show the best of ourselves to the world. We have thought and used all means and ways to do so. This creates plentiful opportunity for the cosmetics and fragrances industry. The first impression is the most important because almost every human being uses the five senses to perceive something or someone. The beautiful always fair better given an opportunity.

Some people may say that a cozy home is what they need. It is a place they can go back to after a long days’ work. It is a place they can look forward to seeing and being. No matter what happens outside, it really does not matter as long as there is a place called home. The cost of living is rising faster than a paycheck. There are people who blame the exploiters but really, if we are capable, perhaps we can be the opportunist too.

When asked this question, we will usually picture all the material things that we can see and hold. It is just by perception. Many of times, we do not realize that whatever essentials we think of is actually not that essential at all if without life itself.

So what is essential?

Some people may say that wisdom is. It is with wisdom, we can grow our inner self to understand better about the universe within us. There is a little universe in each of us that we have conveniently neglected over the years. We perceive material things as essential and we chase after them with all efforts. We forget one thing, that without wisdom, we are just chasing blindly. Wise people are able to spend more time on themselves and less time in efforts but still producing the same results.

Some people may say health is. Life and health are bound hand in hand. We need to be healthy to live life. Health used to be simple. Anyone can achieve good health with healthy daily routines. The time we are awake, we choose all the healthy practices. The time we are asleep, we choose to let go of all that bothers us, let it be handled during waking hours. How many people can really do that, just let go and not be a control freak? Everyone loves to control to a certain extent.

Some people may say family and friends is. In this day and time, relationship has been brought to another level. We can find long lost friends through social media from friends of friends. We can stay in touch using voice or video calls from free platforms. We can even hold a seamless meeting using zoom calls. There are no boundaries even in the state of a global lockdown. Everyone can keep in touch with each other be it for business or just connecting.

Perhaps we are still not looking deep enough to find the true essentials that each human need to survive. Perhaps the most important things come so naturally we do not even realize that they are the true essentials of living.

How many days can a person survive without food?
How many days can a person survive without water?
How many minutes can a person survive without air?
What is of utmost importance that we must protect regardless of whether or not we live to see it?

Mother Nature is the solitary provider of all essentials; food, water, and air. Let us all protect and create a better world for our children.

 

And now here is my secret, a very simple secret, it is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye.

Antoine Marie Jean-Baptiste Roger, comte de Saint-Exupery (Antoine de Saint-Exupery), French writer and aviator, 1900-1944

Perception

Perception is important and dangerous altogether.

Humans very commonly judge a book by its cover. Sight is most used of all senses and each time we see something, we believe it is true. While it is true at that moment, it may not be so before and after that very moment itself. When two people fight, the winner seems to be cruel while the loser gets pity from everyone. However, we do not know head or tail of the whole story. The winner could have been the good guy provoked to the point he breaks. The loser could have been pretending in order to get attention or help. How often do we arrive early for the pre-fight and stay till the end for the post-fight?

Most of the time, we will listen to the people around us talking about other people or issues, especially those that concern us. We may be skeptical at the beginning. Somehow, when more and more people are talking about the same thing, rumours turn into reality. It is believed that a lie can become the truth when it is repeated more than a thousand times. A rumour is the most dangerous silent killer. It can kill respect. It can kill trust. It can kill confidence. It can kill relationships. Worst off, it can also take a life. Before we contribute to this sin, it would be better off to verify how much truth there is to a statement.

While we are aware that what we see could only be partial of the story and what we hear could be a total hoax, whatever we do is entirely up to us. We know there are hotlines to report home violence, will we take the liberty to pick up the phone and dial that number if we become aware of one such cases? We know that Mother Nature is crying in pain, will we step up and step out to fend for her and to protect her at all costs? We know that wild or stray animals do not like to come into contact with humans unless they have been forced to do so, will we leave a crop out there for them to feed their families?

Becoming aware of something is entirely different from really putting efforts to change for the better. We are aware of many things around us, what have we done to improve the situation?

We have our own freedom to interpret things our own way. Some say we should all do good but the meaning of good is understood differently by everyone. This brings us to the most sensitive issue that not many would dare to touch, religion. We each believe teachings of our own religion is the best. We selectively believe the people who spread the teachings and seldom question their interpretation because we have the perception that they are the devotees of the almighty. We should ask our inner senses. We should ask if whatever the person is telling us to do is really the religion itself. Or, if there is a slight chance that the person may have other agenda. Nobody can force us into doing something we are not willing to.

We should believe our own interpretation, and not blindly follow the insight of others.

We are born with a special gift. One that we have forgotten because of distractions. If we look back at our younger years, what is the major change from who we were to who we are now? We used to be the child of many thoughts. We imagined everything impossible and we strongly think that we are right. Children have the purest thoughts. As adults, we are consistently worried that the child might be cheated to take the wrong path. Perhaps we have a pure heart to help them but if we are to be overprotective all the time, will the child ever grow to learn the ups and downs of life itself?

Put ourselves in our children’s shoes. How well will we fair if we had us as our parents? Being protective is the norm. Letting our children choose their own path while teaching them moral is really what parents around the world should be doing. Sometimes we learn a hundred lessons in one failure, better than any classroom can ever teach. Never cushion them when they fall, only then they will learn to heal and get up as a renewed person.

Being positive is great. Having positive perception and approach is priceless.

 

If you can change your perception, you can change your emotion and this can lead to new ideas.

Edward Charles Francis Publius de Bono (Edward de Bono), Maltese psychologist and author who originated the term lateral thinking in Six Thinking Hats, 1933-present

Condition

Condition is a big word with and even bigger meaning.

In this day and time, almost all household have an air conditioner at home. Its purpose is clear, that is to condition the air in the house. When the weather is hot, we can stay indoors to enjoy the coolness. When the air is polluted, we can stay indoors to enjoy the filtered clean air. While we enjoy everything that the air conditioner brings us, we should also be vigilant about the price we have to pay. Air conditioners have been known to release harmful gasses into the environment. Therefore, use only when necessary. If we really want fresh air, nothing can ever compare to a stroll in the park.

We love to condition everything we can see, hold, and touch. Everybody loves smooth surfaces. Who does not? We are so keen on showing the best of ourselves to the world that we condition every part of our body to look great. From head to toe, we use hair conditioner, face moisturizer, and body lotion. They are often sold in sets together with shampoo, facial cleanser, and body bath. They are merely products created to substitute for loss of moisture from our hair, face, and skin. They are needed or they have made to be seen as needed. However, whatever amount of conditioner would not matter is we do not have healthy routines such as getting sufficient rest and drinking enough water.

We most often see the words terms and conditions or privacy policy. It is everywhere, in banners, advertisements, employments, products and services that we purchase, and definitely in law binding documents. While it is made to sound like it is protecting us, it really is to protect the people who created the wordings. It set forth the things we should follow and also the things we should never do in order to have something we want. Most of the time, everything is clearly stated but there are times when some of the points are ambiguous. Then, we will see the words for avoidance of doubt.

While we try to draft in perfect words, we are just human after all. There is no prediction to what is to happen if we follow or not what is set for us to follow. There will be incidents out of expectations that we can never predict. What are we going to do about that?

We can make all efforts to condition our surroundings.

Whenever we feel tired of work, we can take time off, go on a vacation with our loved ones. Most often, this is labelled as pressing the reset button. Whenever we are doing something we love or are doing something for someone we care about, we are happy.

Whenever we feel stuck in a confined space with too many things to handle, we can make time to clear the space. Clutter is the one most agitating word in a persons’ life. Clutter can make a person go insane. When clutter is removed, the space is larger. Though still confined but it is clear.

Whenever we feel like we are straying off from our goals, we can always bring ourselves back on track. We can put up a poster so we see everyday. We can set our calendar so we are reminded everyday. We can do many things to ensure that we achieve the goals that we have.

Whatever the condition we have lived in or are currently living in do not determine our future at all. Our future is in our own hands. The condition of our mind is the only important thing we need to understand. With the right mindset, we can break all barriers. The biggest hurdle we have to commit to conquer is our very own self-limiting belief. While we hear this from motivational gurus around the world, how many of us really practice what they teach us. We know for sure that if we are to take the leap, we will reach a higher understanding of ourselves. But how many are willing to step out of the comfort zone we are in?

With the right condition, we can succeed in whatever we do.

 

Feeling sorry for yourself, and your present condition, is not only a waste of energy but the worst habit you could possibly have.

Dale Carnegie, American writer and lecturer, 1888-1955

Deliberate

Sometimes we do things accidentally but most of the time, deliberately.

Though we may not realize, most of the actions and reactions we think is spontaneous is actually deliberate. We have deliberately conditioned our mind to think a certain way, hence act the same way we thought is correct or normal.

We are all born and bred differently. The word bred may sound animalistic, which may offend some readers. We always put ourselves one point higher than animals simply because we wear clothes, live in a house, drive around in a car, surf the internet, and travel the world. Before our forefathers advanced themselves, we were merely just another animal. The only difference is the proportion of our brain versus our body. We have a much larger ratio compared to all other animals.

To humans, having a much larger brain ratio is a blessing because our brains allow us to think differently from all other species in the world. We are able to use our motor skills like no other animal can do. We are able to use our thinking caps like no other animal is able to. We are more superior than all other living beings on earth, or so we think. Sometimes we appreciate ourselves so much we have forgotten the basics.

There is a certain limitation to the things that we can do. While we try to be positive and think that we are capable of anything, there are some things that we will leave out, whether or not we agree to letting go of it.

How often do we see academicians having six packs? How often do we see sportsmen taking a slow walk in the middle of busy streets? While there may be some who would challenge themselves to the max, most would just concentrate on the one thing that they are good at. We usually only either love reading or love sports. Only a very minute percentage of the world’s population would be eyeing to do both at the same time.

Where can we find the balance? We are so well-versed with our skills we sometimes lack the connection with nature. We lack the skills to sense danger.

If we bring our pets out for a walk, we will probably look around, walk, play with our cellphone, and chat with friends that we meet along the way. Our pets, on the other hand, have a very different perception on every walk. They will follow us when all condition is normal. Sometimes they will be distracted with a bird or squirrel. But there is one thing that they have and we lack, be vigilant all the time. They always know when danger lies ahead. If we are to observe their movements, we will know too.

Our pets can be playful this moment and all of a sudden just stand still looking at one direction. Their senses are much more sensitive compared to ours. We should always trust animal instincts.

Animals know before a storm hits. We have literally lost this skill to the protection we made for ourselves. While buildings can protect us from the sun and wind, they are also shielding us from our senses. We can no longer tell when is a good time to sun the clothes we just washed. We can no longer tell when a hurricane will tear down the place we call home. We have been made to believe that we are safe in our house, that no harm could ever come to us if we are to stay put in our house.

It is time to step out of the house. It is useful to sometimes do things out of the ordinary. While it may sound scary, we can always prepare for the worst. We can deliberately challenge ourselves to living next to nothing. We can volunteer to become someone we are not. We can choose to be different from the rest. We can make drastic changes to the way we think or do things. We can stretch ourselves over and over to educate ourselves with the sense of preparedness in all situations. Life is not about just being, it is conquering life itself.

Be deliberate. Be spontaneous. Be prepared. Be courageous. Be one with no regrets.

 

Human nature and deliberate effort must unite, and then the reputation of the sage and the work of unifying all under Heaven are thereupon brought to completion.

Xun Kuang (Xunzi), Chinese Confucian philosopher and writer, 310BC-235BC / 314CB-217BC

P.S. The “Early” post was deliberately scheduled one hour after noon yesterday. It is not accidental.

Early

The early bird catches the worm!

We have always been told to be early for everything and anything. This cannot be far from the truth. When the opportunity is here, we best catch it and make the best of it before it leaves. Opportunities are everywhere. It is up to us to identify which one suits us best. When we are certain of it, go all out.

Many times, we see a problem as a mere problem. Our mind is somehow locked in the problem itself and we never see the opportunity every problem brings us. It is a test. A test to see how well we cope with situations. Time can tell. We may not be able to see it now but we actually learn best in difficult situations. When there is no turning back, when there is no room for error, that is when we perform best.

It does not matter if we fail, it only matters if we learn from our past mistakes and make more educated decisions along the way.

Usually we want to be early in meetings. It sets a great impression to the person we are meeting. We show that we are keen on the agenda. We show that we respect the entire session. However, being early is not the only thing we should focus on. Preparedness is also a matter of consideration. If we are merely early, we are only showing respect to a certain extent. If we are early and prepared, we are hitting the bullseye. That is the ultimate goal we want to achieve.

Though there may be unfair advantage in some situations, we should always do our best at tackling all prospects. We always look on the bright side but should also always prepared for the worst. What can happen if we are to fail? What can happen if we are mocked? What can happen if nobody cares?

We have to have a clear mindset that nothing ever matters more than life. If we are not appreciated at that moment, it only means that we have another chance ahead of us to do better, to be better. There is always something to learn everywhere we are, in all situations. We just have to stay focused and look beyond what is clouding us at that very moment. Sometimes, no matter how hard we look, we never find. Perhaps it is time to pause. Just pause, and get out to look at the world or get in to look within. The answer is always there awaiting for us. All we need is clarity.

Everyone has the same number of hours in a day. How can we make use of all the hours we have wisely?

The human mind works best when it is quiet. The sense of pleasantness is something money cannot buy. It can only be obtained when our surrounding is serene. Serenity can come from within, or harvested from nature itself.

What do we do when everyone else is asleep?

Be different. Be unique.

Most people will drag their day to the midnight hours and tell themselves that the night is still young. While stretching ourselves beyond limits, we should actually do it wisely. Discipline is very important to achieve whatever goals we set in life. Many of times, we think that going out having fun till late nights is the way to mingle and connect with friends and opportunities. However, by doing that, we are actually selling off our time and health for a small return. We are lack of sleep and we drag our tiredness to the next day and the day after. What is it doing to our life?

If we really want to be successful, model how the top one percent (1%) of the people in the world live their life. If we really dig deep, we will find that they are all early risers. They sleep when the world is busy partying. They work when the world is asleep.

Stillness is before dawn. The air is freshest. The sky is still dark. Just as the birds are waking up. Just as the nature is beginning a new day, so are we. That is the best time to tap into our true potential. That is the best time to bring the best out of ourselves. That is the time when our mind is clearest.

Good morning early riser! The day is great and I am prepared for it.

 

The time just before dawn contains the most energy of all hours of the day. This has helped me become an early riser and an early doer. When I wake to see that it’s light out already, I feel the world has started without me.

Terri Guillemets, American author

Niche

Niche is probably one of the most heard words in this day and time.

Everyone is talking about it. What is it that makes everyone so interested in it? Why is it important to focus on a niche? How exactly do we find that niche that suits us? Everyone is probably asking the same questions.

We live in a world full of distractions. The more information there is, the more difficult it is to understand what is best for us.

The most commonly discussed topics on any search engine are the niche that we should be looking into if we are aiming to be successful in this era. The more discussed the topic, the bigger the market.

WEALTH! Everybody wants to be wealthy. Who does not? We are made to believe, since young that money matters a lot to us. Without money, we would end up in the streets begging for a piece of bread. With money, we can buy anything we want.

There are many ways to become prosperous. Somehow, when the whole world is on lockdown, wealth gurus sprout like mushrooms all over the internet. There are some who are genuine but there will always be those who are only in for the big buck. As a hungry learner, we have to be vigilant. We have to find out the history of whomever we are looking to mentor us.

Learning is a process. Once we have chosen the mentor, we must go all in. We must be committed to make things happen. We must be committed to do all the work. We must commit our time and money to really make things happen. We have to understand that in order for our life to change for the better, we have to first make the change. Doing things the old way will just leave us stagnant.

HEALTH! When we have the wealth, we can talk about health. When we are still young, we should be trading a little bit of health for wealth. This is good and bad at the same time.

It is common to see students burning the midnight oil studying or trying to finish up assignments. They are still very young, they have a lot of time to trade for knowledge. It is also common to see people who are keen to climb that corporate ladder work late nights to finish up the presentation. They are still young, they have time to trade for success. It is even more common to see young entrepreneurs working day and night in their homes. They sometimes even work with a laptop on the bed. They are comparably still young, they have time to trade for money.

Some people are very lucky. Despite having had a rough start, they are still happy and healthy in their older days. How is that possible? Perhaps there are some things that they do that we did not. May be it is a great time to start looking into health differently. Study ourselves and the people around us. What makes some people happy all the time? What makes everyone happy some of the time?

RELATIONSHIP! It is believed that people in great relationships are happier than those who are not. While this may be true to a certain extent, it is not typical.

If we look around, there are quite a huge number of people who prefer to remain single, and they are very happy people. There may be times that they will feel lonely but there are certainly some who enjoy the loneliness. Perhaps it is the freedom of never needing to answer to anyone. They can do whatever they wish, whenever they like, however they prefer. Nobody has the right to tell them otherwise.

As humans, we tend to like to compare. There are those who would compare and envy. There are also those who would compare and improve. It all depends on the personality and also the way we look at life. After several years of observation, we should understand that every human is different and unique in their own way. We should only compare with each other for positive inputs and outputs. Never ever should we lower our self-esteem in any situation.

Wealth, health, and relationship. They are all related. How do we niche down on one?

 

If everybody is doing it one way, there’s a good chance you can find your niche by going exactly in the opposite direction.

Samuel Moore Walton (Sam Walton), American businessman and founder of Walmart and Sam’s Club, 1918-1992

Volunteer

Volunteering sounds like doing charity in the absence of money. It is, and is not.

What is it in for me when I volunteer for something?

This is a good question, probably the best question in our lifetime. While everyone is busy with making money, we would think that volunteering ourselves to do something free of charge is just a total waste of precious time.

We have been brought up to believe that everything we need to learn, we get from the mouths of teachers and lecturers. We have already paid enough of our younger years studying and learning. Now is the time for money generating. We do not do anything for free. We are graduates and we should be paid highly, worth of all the years we spent in the university.

Mind conditioning is such an important way to ensure that there are more workers than employers. This is how the minority rich, the top one percent (1%) of the people manage to keep the rest of the world under their control. Their minds work differently from the norm. They may even drop out of school because they understand one fact, that school literally does not teach people how to make money in the real world. Money can only be made by working and climbing that beautiful corporate ladder. This is what we have been made to believe all the while.

But life is not as mundane. Life itself is volatile. Everything changes all the time. If we are to rise above and become that one percent (1%), we have to think differently from the rest of the world. We have to think like them.

We can do that by having determination. We can do that by having motivation. It is easier said than done. Many self-help gurus out there say the one same thing. If you want to be on top, you have to stand out and be different. If you want to achieve your goals, you have to be willing to take the first step out of your comfort zone. If you want to accelerate your achievements, model from the people who are already there. It all comes back to self-willingness.

Some people will just stop at the word “BUT”. There are always buts in whatever we do. But it is impossible. But I do not have the capital. But I do not have the time. But I am nobody. But I am shy. But I am an introvert. But I do not know how to sell. We have so many reasons to comfort ourselves to just stay put where we are now. When are we going to step out and step up to chase our dreams?

Time is something that cannot be refunded if we are not happy with the outcome. Time is something that money can never buy. If this is not the time to start doing things the way we want, then when? If this is not the time to work towards our dreams, then when? When is the right time?

We can have many reasons to stay put where we are. We only need one reason to step out of our comfort zone. We only have one life. Live life to the fullest!

We have not met that mentor that we are looking for, then it is time to find one.
We have not the money to join any courses to bring us to the next level, then it is time to find ways.
We have not the time to do anything with all the family commitment, then it is time to make time.
We have not the courage to do things differently, then it is time to start something new.
We have not the discipline to stay on course, then it is time to insist we do.

There is more than a handful of successful people in the world we can model from.
There is a possibility to volunteer in exchange for insight and knowledge.
There is an alarm clock that can wake us up an hour earlier for what matters most.
There is always a way to build courage if we surround ourselves with empowering people.
There is willpower within us to ensure that we keep achieving to make us happy.

Life is about being better. Volunteer to make things happen. If we are not willing, nothing will ever do.

 

Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in.

Anonymous

Do

Do is one of the shorter words in the English language but it is also one of the most used words by people around the world.

Just Do It! This is the tagline used by Nike, the most famous brand in sports. The name is short, the logo is simple, and the tagline is motivating. This is by far the best branding ever created that I know of that made such a huge impact. This is by far, even though those who cannot afford to buy anything from their stores, will get something from them, insight. It is a brand that everyone models upon.

In life, we always adore the people that have a great life, or seem to have a great life. We only see what is in the limelight. We will almost never know what they have gone through to get to where they are now. We will never know what they are going through now that makes them who they are. Perhaps the only thing we know is what they are willing to let us know.

Successful people are influential. But they were not born with success written on the foreheads. Nobody can tell if the person will be successful before they even live their life. They may be born with a destiny of becoming a ruler. It takes more than just destiny to make them successful. They will end up being a ruler one way or the other. Whether or not they are great rulers is another matter altogether. If they are great rulers, their empire will last for centuries. If they are not great rulers, their empire will crumble in just years if not months within their ruling.

We are be born talented in our own way.

We may be talented at talking. If we do not take action to develop the skills to take it to the next level, we are just being talkative. If we are to learn from the masters, we may one day become the world’s greatest speaker that makes the difference in other people’s lives.

We may be born talented in music, be it singing or playing instruments. If we do not take action to practice and keep practicing, we will not forget how to do it, but the skillset that we have will deteriorate over time. By then, we would be demotivated to do anything about it. If we are to continue our efforts to improve our skillset, we may one day make an impact in other people’s lives. We know that music creates the ambience for clarity and motivation.

We may be born talented in more subtle skills that we may not be aware of. We are reserved. We love to be alone to create art, be it writing, drawing, or painting. If we do not take action in developing our passion, we are just a normal person like any other person out there without such talents. Just as I have wasted much of my earlier years whining about how life being unfair to me. I was just a regular person like all my other peers out there. I hidden my creativity.

Somehow, this year, I decided to finally do it. To start my own blog. To write in my own words. To design with the help of the latest software. I have taken the first step. I do not know where this will take me but I am determined that I am able to make a difference in the lives of others because I am making a difference in my own life. I feel more motivation. I feel more accomplishment.

Anybody can tell us to do or not to do something. Everything happens for a reason. It is up to us whether or not we want to action on the things that is bothering us. If we take action upon it and failed, it is a precious lesson in life. If we do not take action, we have failed in life because we never learnt anything. “Either way, we pay.” This is a phrase I picked up from a training by Peng Joon. He is the person that is capable of making a difference in my life. He is the only person that has managed to empower me to take it one step further. I am grateful to have encountered him. Thank you.

Just do what your heart tells you! I may be small but I am capable of making the difference, just like the word “DO”.

 

He who waits to do a great deal of good at once will never do anything.

Samuel Johnson (Dr Johnson), English writer, 1709-1784