Of sofas

Sofas are more than just servants.
They are a witness to a family successes and failures, achievements and disappointments, sickness and in health.
I am posting here for posterity measures my old vs new sofa..

2011 Reflections

As customary, I would like to reflect on the material blessings we have had on the past 4 Decembers of my life.

- Church: 3 Years serving as a leader in our community.
- Family:New tech gadgets - mac mini, ipod,
- Family:Sports engagement called triathlon! Completed 4 events this year, 2 triathlon, a 10K run and a duathlon!
- Family:Travel as a family to US Chicago before Christmas.
- Family: Improvement of the interior of my house with new TV, new set up box, new sofa and new Blu Ray player.
- Family:New aircon set up for my car.
- Family: 3rd place for my basketball team!
- Work: contibuted to the success of China plant set up.

For 2012?
1. Church:planning for a movie from our service.
2. Family: learn a new language online!
3. Family: participate in 4 events.
4. Work: integration of new company we bought!

But unlike most reflections,what I would do now is to look back at my thoughts every december for the last 4 years and determine if there is any trend or pattern. Here they are:

1. Why is there a countdown service at the church? And does it matter?
2. On the importance of leaders behavior -both on and off work - seeing is believing.
3. Certainty in an uncertain time - of the turbulent 2008 that saw the demise and collapse of the biggest bank in history.
4. Social duty (2nd career) of the highest order - on this years assignment at our religious order!
5. Does accumulation of wealth need to be heralded?

And the global tragedy this year that has somehow shaped people view the trend:
1. Japan earthquake:
2. Thailand Flood!
3. Philippines Flood!

Is this the world we will see because of 2012?

Rich Leaders

Becoming rich should be every persons dream.

Not just materially but physically, emotionally and of course spiritually.

And to hammer home the point, we watched as a family a segment in TLC channel entitled 'Worlds Richest". The idea is for them to at least observe, learn and apply what they see as the peculiarities of rich people.

I pointed out to my boys that to the untrained eyes, buying antiques to adorn ones home is a bad idea. Who would want to sit, lie down or dine in an old wooden and creaky objects anyway. But when I explained that the reason is more of investing rather than buying (burning) money because the value of the antique appreciates in value in 5, 10 years time, their eyes opened wide.

Which reminds me - if you give a poor man 1 mil dollar, with his exposure, experience, wants and desires, he would instantly buy items left and right until the 1M is spent.

On the contrary - if you give a rich man 1mil dollar, he/she would instantly think of ways to plant the money (invest) and then reap the benefits at a later stage in their lives.

One should strive for planting money.

But before that, one must tame off ones desires, cultivate wise spending and practice at the very early stage in life.

Leaders after all lead the way. And when you are rich, and an exemplary leader at that - people would listen more, and follow your lead.

Thoughts?

Writing a Memoir

I learned of something new today - that writing a memoir has to be made at ANY time in a persons life. I used to think memoirs are reserved for those accomplished lot.

Having worked overseas for 10+ years now, played different roles, engaged in different cultures, dealt with different nationalities, exposed to different cultural sensitivities and being a religious leader and devoted father to 2 boys, I have had my strings of accomplishments (not boasting of course).

I therefore believe future generations can at least peek at what their great grandfather has achieves, this thoughts, frustrations and the like.