Ice Huts

There is something about being in the cold, gloomy and quiet ICE HUT environment that appeals to people who are like me-constantly on the go, always moving, doing something. 

Maybe it's an escapism, a get away from it all, solitude that lets one commune with nature, it's vastness, it's immensity and most of all how small fragile and insignificant we are in the grand scheme of things.

Maybe I should do that more often! 

Baby journal - 10month

October

- Trip to homeland

- blowing tummy skill

September
- tummy issues
- garbled but cute speech

August
- dedication day

July
- false alarm ice cream slurps!

- Jings visit.

June

- begins to eat solid food esp congee!

May

- more exploring of Singapore

April

- apply for embassy papers.

- learns various emotions

March
- begins to roam around the neighborhoood!

February
- skin issues as usual.

January
- birthdate! 

Who do I want to be?

This is a tough question to ask.

Dawned on this question as I read Billy Hybels "Simplify" book.

If one is certain what one ought to be the man or woman that one aspires to become then all else follows. Priorities are made. Goals are set. Schedules are fixed. Even the daily routine changes.

What a powerful nugget of truth! 

Detours

Life does not always follow a straight line.

Else it would have been too simple. Too boring. Even too predictable. 

Came away with this realization and conclusion as I devour one clive cusler novel in less than 2 days!

Your will Your way

Poem by Mark Boado

i but a chaff whos swept in the wind
by the very air that i breathe in
designed to inhabit a place so serene
only to ravage by my own doing

who can rescue me from such morass
night and day i long to be steadfast
the God that i call unto for sure be around
when I surrender my will and make a complete turnaround

far too many days are spent
wasting precious times he sent
if this life ebbs towards his love
i know for sure it comes from above

lord to you belongs the only praise
my life rejoice all of it by your grace
one day if you so choose to take it away
all i can say is may your will be done
your will your way

BBC Feature - Sierra Leone: Retired Captain Valentine M. Strasser breaks his silence

The story of a young idealist soldier capturing power to run a country thru revolt, experienced mutiny within its own ranks due to failure to curb uprising and now running a high tech enterprise with a vision to help the country he held to future development in the area of IT.

Fairy tale? Or true to life?

Travel cross country

travelling evokes good vibes!

Inspiring Stories from South Africa - Goat farmer to Geologist

Dreams do come true! 

This was proven time and again by this story.

Problem solving

Our colleagues from other countries have horrible english, but were able to occupy higher role. Their secret ? Problem solving and math skills.

In order to be a good life problem solver one needs to -

1. Wide exposure to a variety of problems.

2. Good sense of history and futuristic trend.

3. Relate and associate events, behaviors and issues of people.

4. Understand HOW things work so the cause and effect and symptoms vs rootcause can be identified then resolved.

5. Lastly, start solving small problema. Coz all big problems starts small.

Get it and youll not just wing it. Youll nail it too!

95th

Biting more than one can chew...Appears GW has put much attention to this table manners/rule compared to the rest...nothing more to say except point this out..

	95th	Put not your meat to your Mouth with your Knife in your hand neither Spit forth the Stones of any fruit Pie upon a Dish nor Cast anything under the table.

Desolation sound

Need to check this place for some adventure...Well it's more of solitude more than an adventure.

I was piqued of this place when an article on a magazine feature David Foster describing his experience coming to this place fairly regularly.

Other than the fantastic 360 degree view, the writer rivets ones attention to the idea of spending a day in this place for newbies and 'find out for yourself' what its like'...

Possible bucket list? Why not? 

More to life

A black jewish woman. A somali english poet and author. A mountaineer nepalese physician. What do these people have in common?

Well they were all featured in a BBC documentary which seeks to profile people from all walks of life who dreamed, persisted, persevered to overcome odds and in the end became successful in their own right.

Made me wonder. Why isnt there people from my own race (except the famous boxer), being profiled in  a global radio station as such?

Is it perception? Stereoryping? Life principles? Identity? Or all of the above?

I refuse to believe of all the 100 mil or so individuals out there that not one story can make its way to the pile of heaps.

Im not giving up hope on you my countrymen.

96th - Selfish vs selfless

The words "Less" and  "Fish" starkly contrasts between a civilized vs non civilized man..

Being selfish means having the "me' mentality. Selfless means the 'you' mentality. All throughout history, great leaders, men and women alike cultivates and nurtures the 'you' mindset. In order to lead, one should consider 'others needs' first. The crucial turning point is - one has to be able to keep one's bucket full in order to give. After all, you cannot give what you don't have.

Take time for example. If you dont have time for yourself (or not organized or efficient enough) how can you give time to others.

Or self respect. Or even a simple gracious act. If one is nurtured and brought up cultivating these virtues or manners overly practiced at home, then one should be able to outflow these to the outside world.

Everything, not just charity, begins at home. And its not the big acts, is those small ones!

96th	It's unbecoming to Stoop much to ones Meat, Keep your Fingers clean & when foul, wipe them on a Corner of your Table Napkin.

97th - Biting off more than what one can chew

A mouthful...but I fault myself for this behavior too. Not sure if I can get this changed at this stage of my life but then again, realization is the first step to change.

My youngest son observes me as being the guy who likes to overdo. Rightfully so. All my life I have been trained if you will to prove myself. Grew up in an environment of lack. Molded in a society close to the streets. Made friends with the lowest (not wildest) end of the social strata. Yet was able to hold on to my core.

Not perfect. But I beleive all these experiences made me who I am today. I may bite and chew more than I could chew here and there, But hey, if life is a journey, then Im enjoying every bit as I learn more of it everyday.

Never a dull moment!

Bite Off More than You Can Chew” is an idiom which means to do something much more than one can manage. It also indicates taking up some task that is too difficult. The idiom “Bite Off More than You Can Chew” is frequently used in the English language as in their day to daylife, people often try to do more than they can handle and regret biting of more than they could chew. In fact people are all the time taking on too much responsibility with a bid to achieve success or an approving nod from their superiors. When you bite off more than you can chewyou are probably overdoing it as you juggle with the various seemingly manageable tasks but soon realize the difficulty of it all.


97th Put not another bit into your Mouth til the former be Swallowed let not your Morsels be too big for the Gowls.

98 - Be a man of Depth, not simply breadth

Disdain.

Yes, this is the word that first comes to mind whenever I think of this 'multi tasking' word coined purportedly to describe doing 'many things at one time'. The curse of 21st century living? Or the answer to 21st century riddle?

I beg to disagree. And I personally do not believe multi-tasking ever exist!

Nature, including our brains, is wired for humans (some people especially experts might contend and argue) to pursue one task at a time. We breathe one at a time, we walk one step at a time, we speak one word at a time. We type words on a PC one at a time.

There is never any parallel task involved. Even the simplest and most mundane of task by the brain is made one step at a time! We were never designed to be thinking in parallels or duality.

Scripture is solid when it comes to admonishing people in this regards as well. James said "Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear--not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple "Yes" or "No." Otherwise you will be condemned."

There is never a NYES!

Unless one thinks of the 'multi tasking' context as when they think they're lounging a beachside sipping pinacolada while out there in their offices slugging it out. Then even this example is not multi tasking, it is plain and simple day dreaming!!

Let our yes be yes and our no be no. This principle, if practiced daily in our mental thoughts, will render vital in our quest for perfection.

After all, people wants more depth, not breadth when dealing with life matters.

98th	Drink not nor talk with your mouth full; neither gaze about you while you are drinking.

99th - Big comes from small

Classic!

Even drinking does'nt escape GW's eyes! Small matters. Small things. Small effort. Small notion. Small insinuations. My opinion? Never ignore the details! After all, the bad guy is lurking somewhere in these small 'things'.

Just like a building, as gigantic and humongously huge they come, if we look down deep, it is simply made up from tiny cement, sand and steel particles and mixtures. Never ignore the details! 

Just like our bodies, small, size, medium built, we too are made up tiny microscopic cells that come together to form a tissue, many tissues to form organs, many organs to form the human body. Never ignore the details!  

Just like a big car, these too are made up of tiny components that come together for a purpose. Never ignore the details!

Just like the small droplets of water from a faucet, leave it overnight and the pail will overflow in the morning. Never ignore the details!

Same with trust. Scripture is clear as well. "How can one be trusted with big things if one cannot be trusted in small things."

In the end, the difference between 'good from great' is IN the small stuff. The additional smaller effort. The extra mile. The 11th hour. The extra OT. The extra sauce. The toppings. The icing. 

It's having this mindset that sets good people from great people.  We as people could benefit if we attend to this principle and go work out daily, and most importantly make it a life long habit to pursue-for perfections sake. 

The caveat? This principle swings in the opposite direction as well. 

Think folks. Measure twice. Cut once..

99th	Drink not too leisurely nor yet too hastily. Before and after drinking, wipe your lips; breath not then or ever with too great a noise, for its uncivil.

100 - Rebuke with Love

Duality?

This appears to the case in this rule. On one hand, GW is saying mind your manners, But if others don't mind, ignore them. Hmmmm, quite a contrast, and I don't agree.

Here's why.

The problem with us people is that we are so focused on what others perceive of us. But when we believe others are on the wrong, we simply back out and curl back to our comfort zones.

Scripture is not silent on this. Clearly it says '  "If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over."

Though the specific table manner described by GW does'nt fall into a 'sinful' category, I believe it is worth heeding what scripture has to say. It is one thing to recognize an uncivilized deed, it is another to point it out, and it is best to gently nudge folks towards a better alternative. Of course, approach is everything! Other people would approach in an annoying manner. Others with a subtle touch. But doing nothing is the worst.

WWYD! What would you do ?

100th

Cleanse not your teeth with the table cloth napkin, fork, or knife; but if others do it, let it be done without a peep to them.

101 - Potency

Barbaric-Civilized? Organized-Chaotic? Order-Mess?

Contrasting pictures. Of which brazen images populate our heads once someone blurts out those words. Perhaps our own doing or undoing, Perhaps conjured by our own 'upbringing' thru exposure to media, books, etc. Either way, we all have concepts how we ought to 'live and behave'.

I try to be philosophical for now. What is it to be Human? I will step back for a while.

Consider for one moment and lets observe babies. How they grow up nurtured, fed, dressed, entertained, exercised and most of all nursed. As they grow, parents introduce certain yes, no rules in their household. Babies grow learning the oven is hot, ice is cold, sugar is sweet, salt is well salty. Further down the road they get introduced to the outside world. Now they learn the street language and societal make up.

Question that baffles me is - how on earth would a person, from birth, being molded in the comforts of a home, could end up behaving in a manner that is unbecoming? Forgive me dear readers on my belief, but I blame parents for it all.

Parents, (absent or present) who showed the way for their kids the 'how to's in life. For it is impossible for a person, how he is molded and shaped, not to learn the tricks of the trade from someone (parents) without him or her conjuring the image from young.

The scripture resonates with a reinforcement on this point. The bible says "man by nature is sinful", "Parents need to 'train up a child in the way he should go'.

The question is - how can a parent show the way when they themselves don't know the way? The answer I think is enlightenment. And it comes in the form of how determined a person is in order to go thru this purification process.

The rule here is specific. Not to rinse or gargle in the presence of others. Reason? Uncivilized.

But before one human being can judge civility or otherwise on another, try walking in their shoes or slippers first. !

Its potent.

101st

Rinse not your mouth in the presence of others.

102 - Peer Pressure

I herald in this.

I don't know when, but ever since I started to shoulder more responsibilities, my lunch companion has dwindled. Don't really know if it comes with responsibility or authority. I'm certain that as one 'rises up' the corporate ladder, there appears to be fewer 'friends' on top.

This I learned the hard way. The proverbial rising up the top of the heap only to find out its 'lonely up there' is never more true! And getting along with topnotch somehow has made me realize that I have to learn more about culture, grace and manners further.

The hard question is - if one tries to 'adapt' to someone else's culture, would one loses his own? Case in point - to this day I still see people (even nobility) of Indian descent using their bare hands to eat. And call it hygeine or something else, Im sure medical folks disdain at the way of life. The only thing is more Caucasian folks die of cancer disease than Indian folks catching bacteria in the process.

What does table manners, peers and good company, do with this life rule?  In my own humble opinion, GW simply is trying to point out to be observant, and respectful of ones manners especially when surrounded with people who will analyze everything you do and say.

Stiff as one may be, but a watchful eye and sensitive ear could be your only companion in handling people from all walks of life, friends and foes alike.

Not sure if this make sense. But still, want to stir ones thoughts...

102nd

It is out of use to call upon the company often to eat; nor need you drink to others every time you drink.

103 rd - Earn, not command Respect

Respect is earned over time, while most people commands it. 

Like a merit, it takes a person long, often painful, and  hard work, to establish credibility in any field of endeavor. This rule goes beyond protocols, not just table manners. 

If one aspires to be a leader, a parent, a coach, a counselor, then be prepared to be challenged for your credibility. And often, credibility and respect goes hand in hand. 

You cannot earn the respect of your people and peers if you don't have credibility. You can't have credibility if you have not earned the respect of your peers or people. Both are simply must haves in any situation.

Often, getting a point across in fewer words would be the wiser choice. And today I want to do such. It makes the meal more palatable. The reading more enjoyable. And certainly the message more tenable. 

Comments most welcome!

103rd

In the company of your betters, be not longer in eating than they are; lay not your arm but only your hand upon the table.

104th - Manners Matter - act with honor

This quote somehow captures my imagination and to some degree puts into context what honor, manner and grace ought to be exercised and practiced. More of my thoughts as I digest and let this idea simmer in my heart.

I remember being scolded many times in my younger days whenever meal time is served and pieces of rice starts to fly off my plates. I resent how my strict grandma used to discipline me. But now that I have kids of my own, I tend to do the same (subconsciously). Small etiquette, but big is impact to how we approach life in general.

To me, if a person is a slob in the dining table, for sure he will also be a slob in his dealings, be it work, relationships, life pursuits and all. On the contrary if a person is graceful, considerate, well mannered, you can be certain he/she would be of the same in how he/she approached life.

Seeds of honor and grace, cultivated daily, will one day bear fruits of joy, serenity, calm and peace in a man's heart.

"Only act with honorable people. You can trust them, and they you. Their honor is the best surety of their behavior even in misunderstandings, for they always act according to their character. Hence, it is better to have a dispute with an honorable person than to have a victory over dishonorable ones. You cannot deal well with the ruined, for they have no hostages for rectitude. With them there is no true friendship, and their agreements are not binding, however stringent they appear, because they have no feelings of honor. Never have anything to do with such people, for it honor does not restrain them, virtue will not, since honor is the throne of rectitude.” -Baltasar Gracian

104th

It belongs to the chiefest in company to unfold his napkin and fall to meat first, but he ought then to begin in time & to dispatch with dexterity that the slowest may have time allowed him.

107th - LISTEN, NOT JUST HEAR

"Rule 107th: If others talk at the table be attentive, but talk not with Meat in your Mouth".

A very basic and fundamental way to conduct oneself on any given setting. More importantly, the ability to simply lend a full ear is a trait that is becoming jurassic as is with basic speech.

What with the advent of techie gears, which counterintuitely supposed to make our human experience, well, more human.

I am again guilty of this. 

That is why my fundamental rule of thumb when were together as family is to "Yes to Talk and No to Tech". 

It is simply distasteful to see people together in a lunch or dinner table but see them tinker more with their smart thingy than strike a good conversation..

Believe in Goethe when he said " Conversation, a good one, is the most sublime of all human experience".

Let it be so.

105th - Humor's a Feast!

A good humor always breaks the ice! And if it is an iceberg that is out there, a superb joke can certainly shatter the cold spell into oblivion.

In this context, GW talks about manners in a dining table. And we often wonder how is it sitting in a dining room full of brash, harsh and ill mannered men in those days. Im sure no one wants to join a crowd where animosity and indifference reign.

The amazing thing is even after 250 years since inception, this rule still reverberates to our modern times. With the explosion of social media these days, a good humor (verbal), punchline and all has been replaced by 'updates, tweets, trending' and the like. Sad but man's physical presence in a conversation is slowly being replaced by our cyber presence, well at least in a society characterized by the influx of modern communication gadgets.

Are we losing our touch? Are we becoming a slave to tech? Are we consciously or unconsciously insulating ourselves from the very people whom we ought to interact? As 'iron sharpens iron', so does 'man sharpens man'.

What I intend to apply after reading this is to try to mingle as often, text less frequent, and speak to a stranger to even further my humanity. I hope you do too!

105th

Be not angry at the table whatever happens & if you have reason to be so, show it not; put on a cheerful countenance especially if there be strangers, for good humor makes one dish of meat a feast'

106th - Know your Place under the Sun

The context of this rule is on sensitizing protocol!

Nowadays, people don't seem to practice this fundamental but vital rule of etiquette. And living in a country other than my own, I often admire how many different races take this to heart.

For instance, Caucasians often mind this structure. Sadly Asians in most cases, struggle in getting this behavior embedded into their daily routine. Call it culture, or otherwise, but I think this practice is rooted into how our families are designed in the early days. Specifically in meal tables.  

The question is - why the fuss? Well in my own opinion, it all boils down to RESPECT. And respect has to do with virtue. Virtues that often are seen by a person thru his/her parents, grandparents and relatives.  Which is rooted to our hidden admiration for gentlemen and women of substance and grace. Classic example of such is royalty. 

But I am puzzled as to why most folks find this difficult to uphold, especially as this is seemingly a simple yet powerful behavior to conduct oneself in public. Call it grooming, mold, upbringing. But at the end of the day, parents plays the biggest role model and influence to kids. 

As a cliche puts it - children often will pay attention to what parents do, not what parents say. Tall order? Yes, but if we want to cultivate a society full of grace, good manners and right conduct, we must model the way. And the best part? Start at our very home..

106th

Set not yourself at the upper of the table; but if it be your due or that the master of the house will have it so, contend not, least you should trouble the company".

108th - Honoring God and our parents (brothers/sisters)

"108th When you speak of God or his attributes, let it be seriously & with reverence. Honor & obey your natural parents although they be poor."

Webster defined "Honor" as giving high esteem for a persons worth. Words such as merit, rank also comes into play.

I am guilty of this. I mean, at times I treat God as if He's just an ordinary being. Likened to an ATM machine (sorry for the analogy Lord but just making a point), if you need cash, go to a nearby kiosk and boom, out the cash goes. Is it because of the way God is portrayed in many christian circles, that He is your personal savior, personal coach even...( to a certain extent). The word "personal" I believe has been somehow contextualized in a different light. Wish every lay preacher of the word, in whatever denomination, could render and shed more light into this notion.

In the same manner, isnt it any wonder why GW put honoring God alongside honoring our parents? In my two cents opinion, these are of equal weight. In scripture, it is again written in 1 John 4:20 " Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen".

Ouch! Context wise, I believe the words ring very true to the nature of how we ought to give respect, and most importantly love, where it is due - first to our parents, then naturally transcending to honoring, and respecting/loving God in return.

My parting shot is simply,  are we honoring our parents in the same way we honor God? Better yet, are we honoring our brothers and sisters too as we honor our parents? The best part? Are we honoring ONE ANOTHER in the same way we honor our relatives? How beautiful a world it would be if such a virtuous behavior be practiced and put to heart regularly.

If not, life is too short not to take the first of many steps now.  

109th - Manful vs sinful

The 108th entry from GW is to "let our indulgences be manful not sinful".

This is tricky. Heres why -

For what it is to be a man? Have the lines been drawn too thin? Or has society made the "perfect man" fade into the twilight with the arrival of the feminist movement or even the BGT movement? Whichever way we put it, man, the real man to the core, is scary slowly fading into oblivion.

I cant help it but to quote scripture again. Heres what Paul has to advise Timothy his disciple.

"Whoever aspires to be an overseer (man) desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full[a] respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap".

There. No need to add words or expound further.

If there are indulgences that needed to be aimed and cultivated for, I believe it is by focusing into the words of wisdom found in scripture (like above) that has been there all along, always ripe for the picking..

110th: Got Conscience?

In this series, I'd like to put forth my own interpretation and application of George Washington's Rule of Civility and Decent Behavior. Starting with the 109th down to 1st.

The goal is two fold. For me to observe people around, single out behaviors how these rules of civility are applied in the daily world. The learning and observing would be beneficial if it starts with my own application instead.

109th - Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.

On conscience. Webster defines it as an inner feeling or voice viewed as acting as a guide to the rightness or wrongness of one's behavior.

Question is - where does this voice come from? Have we ever wondered? Is it innate? Is it acquired? Is it from the remnants of the voices our parents muttered when we were still infants that finds its way into the recesses of our brains? Or is it spiritual? The silent whisper from God? Whatever form or fashion it is, I'm sure all of us can relate to this.

So for today, my conscience is telling me that it is bad to lie. Lying about anything is bad. Whether it is white lies, black lies, all kinds of lies is wrong. Bad. In my inner circle of people in the office now, I can sense people with hidden agenda and ulterior motives constantly twist facts and tell lies in order to advance their interest. This is bad. Question is - have we gut the guts to confront? Is it worth pursuing?

I have come to the conclusion whatever peoples motives are, I'd simply stick to applying this rule daily, on my life, adding to my own principles. So that once people perceive me as honest and trustworthy in ALL my dealings, small or big, then my influence will then be widespread.

Thus begins an impactful person both in and out of the marketplace.

You?

Key to Success - Use of 5 senses

Its 'graduation' time again back in my home country. It is during these times that all people, from all walks of life, have at least something to look forward to.

Parents are excited (maybe alarmed) by their kids graduating. Knowing that they are now either going for higher learning or become part of the jobless circle. Either way, I'm sure they have mixed expectations lingering on their heads.

Graduates are excited (maybe alarmed too) of what the future is in store for them. No matter what the result of their years of learning, its back to facing real world scenario. A scenario where equations become harder to equate to actual real world situations. Theories in books are in fact ideas formulated in the crucible of the cranium or in the comforts of the lab. Skills in handling a conflict situation is in fact as age old as handling a street fight. Scientific approach are well, remains to be purely scientific. That the distance between two points is not really a straight line in the real world.

I often stumble upon people with so much potential in their 4 or 5 year academic journey that they end up disgruntled, demotivated, tired, too theoretical, cynic even. 

The cure? More exposure to practical real world problems early on. Such as house chores! Fixing a broken plumbing teaches one the basics of hydraulics. Ironing clothes could be framed to a materials engineering exposure, fabric vs cotton atomic strength. Washing the dishes reminds people of geography (enviro engg) and the chemistry of water/solid objects.  Cooking food humbles one about  molecular structure of the ingredients, and how the scent is simply a simplified organic chemistry in action.

There is so much to offer in life by just being observant. And that to me is the secret to success, and that there is no secret really. We are all given 5 senses to use. Use it or lose it!

Steve Jobs 8 Leadership Style

Here's an article I stumbled on the web which hammers home the message of SJ.

QUOTE. "Brilliant. Passionate. Overbearing. Impatient.

Steve Jobs's management style has been described in many ways, both positive and negative. Love him or hate him, there's no denying what he accomplished: Within a short time, he built the most successful company on the planet. Before that, though, Jobs was actually forced out of Apple (in 1985). A few months later, he founded another company. This startup, appropriately named NeXT, focused on producing high-powered computers for the higher education industry. A talented team left secure positions at Apple and followed Jobs to his new endeavor--evidence of how much people believed in him. The following video shows excerpts of a company retreat that Jobs orchestrated during the first three months of the company. And it's fascinating.

There are at least 8 lessons the previous author has observed, and they are summarized below..

1. Show your passion (3:46)

Jobs was well known as an excellent presenter, and his skills are on full display in his introductory speech. He uses repetition well. He's enthusiastic. He's natural. But most important, he believes what he's saying, and he's not afraid to put himself out there. If you don't get passionate about your idea, no one else will.Jobs: "We're doing this because we have a passion about it...because we really care about the higher educational process. Not because we want to make a buck."

2. Focus on creating value (4:50)

As an entrepreneur, there's no greater feeling than providing a product or service that people feel will make their life better.

3. Challenge your team (6:15)

Throughout the video, Jobs probes and challenges his people. He doesn't accept anything at face value. He wants to know why people feel the way they do. And often, he lets them know exactly why he disagrees.

4. Keep everyone on course (6:53)

Yes, Jobs could be overbearing. But as Guy Kawasaki (who worked for Steve Jobs twice) put it: "If you ask an employee of Apple why they put up with the challenges of working there, they will tell you: because Apple enables you to do the best work of your career." Jobs: "There needs to be someone who is the keeper and reiterator of the vision.... A lot of times, when you have to walk a thousand miles and you take the first step, it looks like a long way, and it really helps if there's someone there saying 'Well we're one step closer.... The goal definitely exists; it's not just a mirage out there.'"

5. Define the right priorities (7:26)

As your company evolves, it's easy to lose sight of what's important. Culture shift is a danger. But it's your company. Don't compromise on things you believe in. It's what got Jobs kicked out of Apple in 1985, but it's also why they brought him back--and what made Apple such a success. As the NeXT team discusses its priorities, you can witness Jobs's remarkable ability to focus on what's most important, and even more critical, to defend why it's important. When team members challenge priority No. 1 (keeping the price of the computer at $3,000), Jobs vehemently defends it: "They didn't say if you made it go three times faster we'd pay $4,000.... They said, 'Go to $3,000 [or] forget it.' That's their magic number.... Nobody else says that they can do that.... Whether it is or not, in reality, who knows. Whether it is or not in terms of their commitment to push us, we've established that." The team followed his lead, and price stayed priority No. 1. You know what's important, but can you prove why it's important? If so, then your team will follow.

6. Know when to interrupt (9:52)

A member of the team proceeds to goes on a rant. She goes on and on, and Jobs remains patient...at first. But as she continues, his patience runs out. He interrupts to refocus. Many years ago, I sat in on a meeting where a senior member of the team talked for 20 minutes without interruption. We were all thinking the same thing, but nobody had the courage to speak up. Finally, another manager (who was new to the company) respectfully put an end to the speech, to everyone else's relief. I learned a lot from that episode. Be a good listener. Be patient. But know when you need to step in, and you'll save a lot of time and resources.

7. Learn from the past, but don't let it own you (11:11) 

As one team member laments past failures, Jobs speaks up: "I don't want to hear 'Just because we blew it last time, we're going to blow it this time....' This is a window we've got...it's a wonderful window." Any great entrepreneur knows that failure is part of the process. The more you try, the more you fail--but success is out there. You've just got to find it.

8. Focus on the positive (12:22)

At the end of the weekend retreat, Jobs said the following: "I find myself making lists of things we don't know, and then I remember that our company's 90 days old. And I look back to all the things we do know. And it's really phenomenal how far we've come in 90 days." When you have a long road ahead of you, it can be intimidating to focus on what's left. There will always be plenty to do. Remember to look back at what you've already accomplished, and that can give you the motivation you need to move forward. " UNQOUTE

My take is that whatever SJ does is centered around one word - legacy. He simply wanted to leave a legacy that will be remembered for ages to come. And all his energies are channeled to creating that legacy long before other people can describe theirs.

Practice makes perfect

Religion is not the problem of this world. Its the the "practice" of religion. It's the interpretation even. Perhaps best summed up that it all boils down to the "understanding" of religion.

This thought came about when reading an article about a Jewish man and a Muslim woman collaborating on a corporate top notch project driven to produce top notch result.

Moral morass

Balzac said "behind evey great wealth is a great crime".

Often we hear stories of people who made it big time in the papers. And we often wonder how could the dude or the gal who's seemingly ordinary to ones eyes suddenly amass staggerring and mind boggling wealth in proportion to their skills. Only by digging deeper would one then finds out the reality of the quote above. 

We hear of skillful politicians who are in collusion with their campaign donors and benefactors. Or of the enterprising entreprenuer lacing prodicts with odd ingredients (eew) to save cost. Or of the shrewd corporate army general and their cohoots cutting cormers and inflating corporate profitability. The bigger question - what is/or are their motivations why they do what they do. Greed? Selfishness? Power? Not for me to judge.

On another area of life we also hear stories of "do gooders" under the guise of guilt. Meaning doing something for humanity in order to hide a character flaw. Or of people who donate to charity in order to not appear greedy. Or those who perform community service and outreach only to crumble at the weight of their own double lives. 

Is there a cure to this morass? Believe there is. First, be aware of ones "dark side". And just when one is tempted or lured towards their dark side, awareness is a powerful first step. Next is acceptance. Accept that as human beings we all have these tendencies. Third and last is diverson. We re-channel dark thoughts to activities until all our energies are spent. 

Dont know if you agree with my prescription, but it is working in me. Experience is the best teacher indeed. 

Trials of many kinds...

I don't know about you but I've been thru hell and back this week.

Consider this - a close friend's kid is diagnosed with cancerous cells engulfing the teens frail body. And the friend is at its wit end from all angles (emotionally and financially). In a span of a week, the family's fate hangs in the balance. Seeing them go thru this wrecks me as well. I wish I could do more.

I want to remind myself though lest I forget that this journey called life is littered with trials, testing and tribulations. And that life is indeed a series of problems. We just came from one, were undergoing one and we will face one in the future. Having the proper mindset will spell victory from defeat.

I remember scripture which says in James: ² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds,³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. "

Often its easy to spew these words to someone who's into heavy dose of bombardment from all angles. But when spoken with love, I believe it will make a huge difference in their lives. Of course, count on our Maker to make his move. And there you go - perfect antidote for the perfect storm.

Tough love from a caring father - repost for its content and depth of voice

The political system former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew built during his time was a British parliamentary system in form but truly a Confucian order in substance.

In Confucian ideals, the benevolent leader (emperor) is wise and compassionate and possesses the mandate of heaven (overwhelming popular vote).
The people are highly respectful of their leaders, single-minded in their common purpose and deeply loyal to their nation.
The state is administered by an efficient and educated class of mandarins based on meritocracy and incorruptibility.
There is a merchant class that is prosperous and a peasant class, which is harmonious.
Peace and order (lack of chaos) are the foundation of prosperity and progress.

These were ideals for ancient China, and proven in modern Singapore.
Viewed through Western media and its prescribed "universal" moral standards of governance, Mr Lee and his system have often been unfairly portrayed as oppressive, dictatorial and draconian.

In the East, this is wise, compassionate but strict leadership in the best of Confucian traditions.
In an imperfect world of compromises, many of us with Asian roots would value peace and security above freedom of speech and freedom of the press; economic empowerment before political liberation; and country, community and family before self.

Stop judging Singapore and our founding father by Western ideals (of liberal democracy, absolute freedom of speech, and so on) and you will start to appreciate what we really are and the archetypical benevolent leader that Mr Lee truly was.

As Mr Lee once said, he is answerable to no one, except the then two million lives at stake under his watch.
He did not seek to be popular or loved, but merely to serve his comrades to the best of his ability and up to his last breath.

A loving father who cared enough to be strict with his children, so we may grow up to be hard-working and disciplined, well conditioned to succeed and in harmony.
He knew that unlike large countries, we had no endowments to depend on and would, by default, starve to death if we did not have the will, unity and ability to succeed.
Tough love from a caring father - that is the founding father of Singapore that I know, love and revere for eternity