Article: Life advice upon turning age 30, from the president of Y Combinator

I have read other similar posts before, but I quite like what he wrote:
http://qz.com/394713/life-advice-upon-turning-age-30-from-the-president-of-y-combinator/

Below are some of my favorites / reminders (on things I need to improve on):

2) Life is not a dress rehearsal—this is probably it. Make it count. Time is extremely limited and goes by fast. Do what makes you happy and fulfilled—few people get remembered hundreds of years after they die anyway. Don’t do stuff that doesn’t make you happy (this happens most often when other people want you to do something). Don’t spend time trying to maintain relationships with people you don’t like, and cut negative people out of your life. Negativity is really bad. Don’t let yourself make excuses for not doing the things you want to do.

6) Talk to people more. Read more long content and less tweets. Watch less TV. Spend less time on the Internet.

8) Don’t let yourself get pushed around. As Paul Graham once said to me, “People can become formidable, but it’s hard to predict who”. (There is a big difference between confident and arrogant. Aim for the former, obviously.)

11) Go out of your way to be around smart, interesting, ambitious people. Work for them and hire them (in fact, one of the most satisfying parts of work is forging deep relationships with really good people). Try to spend time with people who are either among the best in the world at what they do or extremely promising but totally unknown. It really is true that you become an average of the people you spend the most time with.

16) Ask for what you want.

23) Learn voraciously.

24) Do new things often. This seems to be really important. Not only does doing new things seem to slow down the perception of time, increase happiness, and keep life interesting, but it seems to prevent people from calcifying in the ways that they think. Aim to do something big, new, and risky every year in your personal and professional life.

Article: Harvard Psychologist Explains Why Buying Experiences Makes People Happier Than Buying Things

http://www.businessinsider.sg/dan-gilbert-buy-experiences-not-things-2014-10/#.VGiWrfmUe58

We make two kinds of purchases.

We buy things: clothes, cars, and home goods. 

We buy experiences: meals, vacations, and movies. 

Research shows that experiences are the much better buy — if you’re looking to maximize the happiness for your dollars. 

In one study of over a thousand Americans, people were asked to think about a material and experiential purchase they made with the hope of increasing their happiness.

When they thought on which one made them happier, 57% of them said that the experiential buy gave them more happiness. Only 34% of respondents said material purchases make them happier.

In a paper, Harvard psychologist and “Stumbling on Happiness” author Daniel Gilbert said that it has to do with the way we relate to objects versus events. We adapt to things quickly, but we get to anticipate and remember events. 

“After devoting days to selecting the perfect hardwood floor to install in a new condo,”Gilbert and his coauthors say, “homebuyers find their once beloved Brazilian cherry floors quickly become nothing more than the unnoticed ground beneath their feet.” 

But “in contrast,” the authors continue, “their memory of seeing a baby cheetah at dawn on an African safari continues to provide delight.”

There’s another reason why experiential buys — like a weekly cooking class — make for better investments in your personal enjoyment. 

When you buy experiences, you get to see a change happen in your environment and in yourself.

“Whereas cherry floorboards generally have the same size, shape, and color on the last day of the year as they did on the first,” the authors say, “each session of a year-long cooking class is different from the one before.” 

Lastly, Gilbert argues that buying experiences makes us happy because we turn them into a part of our identities. If you take three weeks to explore Nepal, your treks around the Himalayas will become a part of who you think you are.

+++

This article resonated with me deeply. 

The biggest expenditure in my life so far is traveling. 

It has been one of the best investments in my life too.

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” ― Mark Twain

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” ― Mark Twain

(Taken in 2009 - Everest Base Camp Trek, Nepal)

Article: 面对它、接受它、处理它、放下它。

面对它、接受它、处理它、放下它。

Face it, Accept it, Deal with it, Let it Go

Buddhist Master Sheng-yen

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheng-yen

Master Sheng-yen passed away 5 years ago in 2009, unfortunately, I only got to read about his teachings after his death. I am very touched and impressed by Master Sheng-yen's compassion and love for the all beings.  One of the most iconic Chinese actress (Brigitte Lin, 林青霞, whose husband is the owner of global apparel company - Esprit) is one of his disciples. 

*Notably, Brigitte Lin came from a Christian Family background

Below is  part of her sharing:

Source: 

林青霞学禅,揭秘改变其一生的十二个字

我有幸见到圣严法师，由于以前没有接触过佛法、不谙规矩，见到师父竟然跟他握起手来。后来发现所有佛教徒都是以双手合十来打招呼。 继续延伸阅读：《佛教双手合十(合掌)的16种意义》

　　 我应该很专心地跪下磕头再站起来，跪下磕头再站起来，就这样连续做20分钟，心里要想着该忏悔的事和该感恩的事。开头我并不很专心，眼睛往旁边一瞥，见到一双轻盈的脚步从我身边走过。那袈裟飞起，就像浪花。我呆住了，心里赞叹着“好美！好美！”那是圣严法师。当年他老人家七十好几，也跟我们一样地跪拜，他的专注和真诚让我动容。后来他说他是对他的师父感恩。

　　 大约是8年前，我发觉我这个人太计较，总以为别人应该理所当然地对我好，而经常令自己很不开心，也影响别人的情绪。所以我决定去修行。我想要有一颗包容心，也想让自己“肚子能撑船”。于是我回台寻找大师，很幸运地，在因缘际会之下，我遇到了特技专家柯受良的太太宋丽华，她是一位虔诚的佛教徒。她送了一本小册子给我，我读了大为感动，那是一本谈论“禅”的册子。因为她的引荐，我有幸见到圣严法师，由于以前没有接触过佛法、不谙规矩，见到师父竟然跟他握起手来，后来还因为有点感冒怕传染给他而不安了很久，再后来发现所有佛教徒都是以双手合十来打招呼，我暗忖当时一定让周遭的人大为紧张。

　　 在见面的一个钟头里，我只问了一个问题，就是什么叫“禅”，因为始终认为禅是一门很深奥的学问。师父说只要坐三天禅就什么都知道了。我正在考虑的时候，师父连说了三次，于是我当下就决定坐禅三天，听说坐禅之前会因为被考验而受到阻碍，而我却在冥冥中很顺利地上了山。

　　 上山的第一件事，手提电话就给没收了，在没收前我赶快打个电话给女儿，告诉她我将有三天不跟她通话，这才放心。在三天内我要和其他九十九个人昼夜相处。不准化妆、不可看书、不可看电视，要睡大通铺。晚上十点钟睡觉、早上五点钟起床。这下可惨了，平常我在这个时候可能还没睡，还好我偷偷带了六颗安眠药，一天两颗，总算解决了睡觉的问题。

　　 晚饭之前，每人分获一个号码，暂时不用自己的名字，各人根据自己的号码坐位置、拿拖鞋和睡床位。这是要我们放下自我。在大堂里先对着大佛跪下头着地再站起来，心想这下可上当了(因为父母是基督徒，这辈子从来没有这么跪拜过)。原来这个作用也是为了消融自我。

　　 在饭堂里我隔壁那个人很面熟，后来才知道她是曾庆瑜，吴宗宪乖乖地坐在我对面，眼睛不像我这样到处乱睨。之前在走廊上见到曾志伟我还扬了扬眉(原来这也是犯规的，连对眼都不可，又怎能扬眉)，还有一位是功夫明星卫子云，来的时候看他在山边松筋骨。这么多圈内人，可见经常暴露在大众面前，表面上看起来多姿多采，内心却是渴望得到一片宁静和做到自我修行。

　　 吃饭的时候，师父很温和地一句一句叮咛，要我们心无旁骛专心吃饭，好吃的时候不要高兴，不好吃的时候也不要讨厌。要感恩这食物是经过很多人的辛苦才到我们的嘴里。吃完饭用一碗清水将碗碟冲一冲再倒回碗里喝下。

　　 饭后离座时要双手迭起，放在胸前，慢慢起身，顺序走出饭堂，手里就像捧着一尊菩萨，内心里什么都不能想，也不可以自己对自己说话。我静静地坐在石头上，对着大山和星空，突然听到一阵很美的声音，我寻着那个方向走去，原来是一位女菩萨跪在那儿，一面敲钟一面念经，不知道为什么我感觉好喜悦好舒服。

　 　第一天早起，吃完早饭，我们坐在大堂里听师父开示，师父教我们如何打坐和拜忏。一天内有许多开示和打坐，师父循循善诱，我们密密抄经。

　　 有几句真言，在我生命里最不可承受的痛时，因为用了它而顺利度过。人世无常，不如意事常八九，我经常把这些话送给朋友，他们也因为渡过内心的难关而感激我。说句笑话，这几句话惟一不适用的就是台湾“总统”的选举。

　 　这几句真言就是：面对它、接受它、处理它、放下它。

　　当你遇见一些事时，你不要逃避，最好的方法就是面对它，然后你必须接受那已成的事实，好好地处理它，处理完后，不要让它占据你的心，必须放下。以下是师父给四众佛子的共勉语：

　　 信佛学法敬僧 三宝万世明灯

　　提升人的质量 建设人间净土

　　知恩报恩为先 利人便是利己

　　尽心尽力第一 不争你我多少

　　慈悲没有敌人 智慧不起烦恼

　　忙人时间最多 勤劳健康最好

　　为了广种福田 哪怕任怨任劳

　　布施的人有福 行善的人快乐

　　时时心有法喜 念念不离禅悦

　　处处观音菩萨 声声阿弥陀佛

　 　第二天我们学行经。有慢经、快经和自然经，行慢经时，双手轻轻握拳，每一步路是脚掌一半的距离，要走得很慢很稳，这叫“步步为营”。快经的步伐可大一点，双手自然下垂，但是要走得很快很快，自然经则要全身放松地步行，看似简单行则不易。走完后感觉好舒畅。

　　 第三天是要我们做到感恩和忏悔，我们就像开头讲的那样拜忏20分钟，心里要为这一生中所有该忏悔的事忏悔，对这一生中所有该感恩的人感恩。很多师姊、师兄泣不成声。我听到一种平和的声音：“要用情操，不要用情绪。”那是师傅的声音。

　　 三天很快就过去了，这三天的课程让我一生受用不尽，我对父母、先生、女儿、朋友，甚至整个世界感恩。对该忏悔的事，想办法补偿。减少了自我感。少了计较，多了回馈。人也快乐起来。我觉得这三天里，学到的比三年甚至十年还要多，最难得的是我找到了内心最深层的宁静。

　 　师父是个智者也是位哲学家，我对他是感恩！感恩！再感恩！

+++

Life will be full of challenges.

Be Equanimous.

How to cope with life challenges?

Face it, Accept it, Deal with it, Let it Go

Challenge is often a source of growth and improvement.

"Will this thing matter in 5 years time?"

"Will this thing matter in 5 years time?"

Recently, I have been asking myself this question.

When I am stressed at work, I asked myself this.

When I am busy, I asked myself this.

When I am worried, I asked myself this.

When I am confused, I asked myself this.

The challenge in modern days is to be focus. 

There are too many distractions and noises.

Too much unnecessary information available.

For instance: I read so much junk everyday on my facebook feeds. 

Am I busy for the right reasons?

Will this thing matter in 5 years time?

This brings a lot of clarity in life.

Plus, I became less worried & bothered with trivial stuffs/problems.

=)

Something else to share:

Travel - Short Work Trip to Jakarta (Feb 14)

I was supposed to visit Borobudur in Yogjakarta before visiting Jakarta, unfortunately, there was an volcano eruption causing the quite a few airports (including Yogjakarta) to close. So my flight was cancelled. 

Good? Bad? Who knows?

(The Mantra that week after I attended a talk by Ajahn Brahm)

I stayed in Shangri-la Hotel in Jakarta (my first time staying in Shangri-la Hotel). Apparently, US Secretary of State, John Kerry was staying in the same hotel while I was there. The security was tight, and saw police cars, press vehicles, US security agents etc...

Lobby of Shangri-la Hotel

Swimming Pool of Shangri-la (View from room)

While Shangri-la Hotel looked rather old from the outside, its interior and the service isquite good. I had a good massage session in the spa center, spent my sunday afternoon chilling by the pool side and the gym facilities is not bad too. Food is average though (I even skipped one breakfast session).

Choice of Eggs for the Omelette.

I was quite fortunate to have my cousin spending half a day bringing me around Jakarta. I understand Jakarta slightly better after the tour with him. One of the places that we visited is the largest Mosque in South East Asia. 

Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta

Wiki: Istiqlal Mosque, or Masjid Istiqlal, (Independence Mosque) in Jakarta, Indonesia is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia^[1]and has the highest capacity. This national mosque of Indonesia was built to commemorate Indonesian independence and named "Istiqlal", an Arabic word for "independence". The mosque was opened to the public 22 February 1978. Within Jakarta, the mosque is positioned next to Merdeka Square and the Jakarta Cathedral.

A mosque staff brought us around and introducing this mosque to us (as we are non-muslims). Anyway, after the whole tour, he requested for some tips, which we are totally fine to give.

Shopping Mall in Jakarta

My cousin brought me to the place that he was staying. It was really nice, not my typical impression of Jakarta - High buildings & good amenities (swimming pool, tennis court, huge shopping center). I could live here, except for the air pollution!

Festive Chinese New Year in the shopping Mall.

Products of my ex-company (Procter & Gamble).

Went to a supermarket to understand the retail business in Indonesia. Despite my short stint in P&G, it has been very beneficial for me to understand the relationship between the supplier and retailer, and also the stiff competition in the retail industry.

I always remember that Steve Jobs talked about connecting the dots in 2005 Stanford Commencement:

"you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. "

This applies to me. =)

Jakarta's traffic jam is notorious. 

Being creative by "creating" another lane in the highway towards the city.

This nice 300sqm house in the suburb of Jakarta is about the same price of a 100sqm (govt) apt in the suburb of Singapore. 

View from the restaurant - Altitude.

Ended the trip with good food in a nice restaurant. 

Book: Second Suns: Two Doctors and Their Amazing Quest to Restore Sight and Save Lives

I enjoyed reading about the amazing lives of these 2 doctors - Dr. Geoffrey Tabin (Harvard trained doctor who is the fourth person in the world to complete the seven summits) and Dr. Sanduk Ruit (Top eye surgeon, who came from a humble background). Both doctors are compassionate human beings who brought light to so many poor blind people who have no access to/can't afford medical treatment.

Unfortunately, the author David Oliver Relin committed suicide last year. He did a great job sharing the stories of these 2 doctors.

Below are some quotes taken from the book that resonated with me:

+++

About Dr. Sanduk Ruit motivation to study hard to become a doctor and help many other poor people. Ruit's younger sister who died in her teens due to TB. 3 out of  his 5 siblings died young due to fever, diarrhea and TB.

"A fifty percent survival rate. Unacceptable, unacceptable, unacceptable. The more I (Dr Ruit) thought about it, the more I realized Yang La didn't have to die. None of my brothers and sisters had to die. They died because resources the rest of the world had were not available to us. And after a month or so of spinning around with my thoughts, suddenly I saw the path I had to follow. It was straight and clear. I realized I had to become a doctor. I had to become someone who could go out and get those resources. I had been working hard, but I had to work harder. Real Study began after that"

+++

Tabin said "my heros weren't the people who asked "Why?". They were the ones who asked "Why not?".

+++

Dr Geoff Tabin, at the peak of his climbing career, became the 4th person ever to complete Seven Summits. The comedown from such a monumental achievement can be disorientating, even depressing.... Tabin kept picturing the ecstatic face of the no-longer-blind sherpa woman and realized he wanted to help others like her more than he wanted to climb any mountain.... he aims for an achievement not of an individual nature, but of a more universal, more meaningful sort."

Tabin did have time to refine his priorities. None, he realized, ranked higher than to alleviate suffering

+++

Dr Ruit encounter with His Holiness the Dalai Lama

"But you humble me, Dr Ruit", the Dalai Lama said. "You humble me with your compassion. I am just a simple Buddhist monk. I often wish I had some technical skills, so I could be of greater use."

+++

A quote from Lao-Tzu

"Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill.

Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt.

Chase after money and your heart will never unclench.

Care about other people's approval and you will be their prisoner.

Do your work, then step back. The only path to serenity"

+++

These 2 gentlemen certainly inspired me by their compassion and sacrifices.

Do support them at at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himalayan_Cataract_Project

More information on this book: http://www.cureblindness.org/second-suns-book/

Certainly, there is a mis-allocation of resources in the world.

Certainly, the world is not fair.

However, we can do our small part to make it better.

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.” ― Plato

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.” 

― Plato

Last 2 weeks when I met up with my friends, I realized that different people is fighting different battles. There are so many problems like marriage, health, career, money... so much fear, unhappiness, stress, sadness, hurt, losses, uncertainties... 

Be kind to people.

Be kind to yourself.

There are just too much sufferings.

Personally, one of my stock investments plunged 50% within 2 hours and halt from trading due to fraud accusation. I could potentially lose all the money. I was unhappy for the first few days - thinking what went wrong, where did I analyze wrongly, how this money could be used (ie. traveling around the world for 1 year), how long will it take for me to earn back this money etc. I felt even worse when I recommended my parents to invest in this stock. It was stressful.

I found the root of my suffering (ie. stress, unhappiness).

It is my attachment to my possession (ie. my money).

I know the antidote to my suffering (ie. letting go of my attachment).

It was hard to let go.

Time is a wonderful thing.

At the end of the week, I was mentally prepared to write-off the whole investment.

There is nothing better I could do, but to remember the lesson. 

I felt more balanced and at ease.

Fortunately,  a week later, the stock price rebounded when it started trading.

I made a small profit instead of losing the whole investment.

+++

Life will never be easy.

There will be more challenges in the future.

It is my attachment to the world that bring so much sufferings.

If I am attached to my money, I would be unhappy if I lose money.

If I am attached to my health, I would be unhappy if I lose health.

If I am attached to my relationship, I would be unhappy if I lose relationship.

If I am attached to my possession, I would be unhappy if I lose possession.

If I am attached to my EGO, I would be unhappy if someone hurt my EGO.

It is not easy, but the antidote is letting go.

Why learn to let go?

Life is Impermanent.

This is the Truth.

I am still learning...

For the time being, I choose to kind and grateful before I bid farewell to everything.

Below is one of my favourite quotes:

“Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life.

Almost everything--all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure--these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. 

Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. 

No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there. And yet, death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it, and that is how it should be, because death is very likely the single best invention of life. It's life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new.”

― Steve Jobs (1955-2011)

Review of 2012

Year 2012 is a pivotal year in my life. There were moments of fear, disappointment, gratitude, happiness, sadness, frustration, contentment and peace. I am glad that I ended year 2012 on a high note.

I was grateful that someone gave me a helping hand when I was in need. I was worried when my father was hospitalized. I was elated when I landed my ideal job (something that I had been working hard for past 6 years). I was sad when 2 friends passed away suddenly (especially leaving this world on a sad note). I was touched when I managed to raise more than S$5000 within 2 days for a school in remote India. I was happy to see the joy on the faces of children from disadvantaged background. 

Things will always change. From good to bad, vice-versa. That is the impermanence of life. It is foolish to think that life will always be good. I am coping with changes in life better, as I have accepted that this is the reality of life. Whenever I cannot accept this fact, I would suffer.

Life will always present us with many challenges. Instead of wishing for smooth sailing year (which is almost impossible). I wish everybody will learn some life wisdom to deal with all the uncertainties, good and bad in life.

Be Humble

There are so much things to learn from other people. There are so much things that we do not know. Humility allows us to learn more things and keep an open mind. We always need other people's help as we are all interdependent.

Be Compassionate

Before you pass a judgement on another person, put yourself into his/her shoe. Be mindful that everybody is the same - everyone just wants to be happy. If we see that everyone is just like  us, we would be more forgiving and more compassionate. Showing compassion is the only way to renew life. 

Remember to be compassionate/love to ourselves too. We, too, make mistakes, learn from it, forgive ourselves and remember not to do it again. Move on and remember that other people also make the same mistakes as us.

Do your Best

There is so much stress to meet other and our own expectations. We could never accomplish all our goals. Certain things in life are just beyond our control. We must always do our best, and be at peace with the results. If things do not work out, at least, we find solace that we have done our best. There is nothing to be ashamed when we have given our best.

Be Grateful

Remember that all things that we enjoy now is given by so many other people. A reminder of the Impermanence of Life is always helpful. I am aware that my health is not permanent, my family & friends are not permanent, my wealth is not permanent, my career is not permanent and most importantly, my life is permanent. So many bad things could happen in a minute, anything could be taken away from you anytime anywhere. Be grateful and contented.

Let Go

We came to this world with nothing. Yet, over the years, we learn so much things (thanks to the kindness of our parents and many other people) and accumulate so much possessions. The problem is not with the accumulation, but the attachment to things/identity/relationship etc... There is always time to say goodbye. Everything in life ends - your favourite things, pets, friends, family, relationship, career, health... It is inevitable. Learning to let go is a good way to set ourselves free. 

Personally, I always practice these qualities and it improves my life. I find peace and happiness more easily. I am more grateful. I am more willing to share and give. These qualities are especially useful in times of difficulties and uncertainties. I am still learning and hoping to improve myself.

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." 

-- Theodor Seuss Geisel

May you find happiness and peace in your life.

Where there is life, there must be death.

I was happy to learn the teachings of Master Sheng Yen, but I was also sad to know about him after his death and that I do not have the good fortune of learning from him. A good Dharma teacher is a rare gem. Even with great following from Businessmen to Politicians to Celebrities, he still remains a simple humble monk. That's a mark of a great Master.

"If the mountain won't move, build a road around it.

If the road won't turn, change your path.

If you are unable to change your path, just transform your mind."

"A passing boat leaves no traces upon the waters;

A bird's flight leaves no trace in the sky;

When fleeting success, failure, gain, or loss leaves no trace upon the heart,

the great wisdom of liberation has been achieved."

"Where there is life, there must be death. If one cannot face this reality it will become one’s greatest barrier in life, if one can regard death merely as a fraction within the eternal time and space then death is not an end to life but the beginning of the next."


"Busy with nothing, growing old.
Within emptiness, weeping, laughing.
Intrinsically, there is no "I".
Life and death, thus cast aside."


"The meaning of life lies in serving,
the value of life in giving."


"Our value depends not on how long we live,
but on how much we contribute."


"The deeper our compassion,
the greater our wisdom and the fewer our vexations."


"What I am unable to accomplish in this lifetime,
I vow to push forward through countless future lives.
What I am unable to accomplish personally, 
I pray for everyone to join forces to promote."

"The universe may one day perish, 

yet my vows are eternal"

- The Most Venerable Master Sheng Yen (1931-2009)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheng-yen

For more, you can refer to this website.

The 50 most inspiring travel quotes

Some of my favourite quotes 

(Source: http://matadornetwork.com/bnt/50-most-inspiring-travel-quotes-of-all-time/)

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” – Mark Twain

 “A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it.” –John Steinbeck

 “One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller

″A traveler without observation is a bird without wings.” – Moslih Eddin Saadi

“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” – Miriam Beard

“To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.” – Bill Bryson

“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” – Lao Tzu

“The journey not the arrival matters.” – T. S. Eliot

“A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles.” – Tim Cahill

“The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one’s own country as a foreign land.” – G. K. Chesterton

"A ship in harbor is safe, but that's not why ships were built."

“Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey.” – Fitzhugh Mullan

Be comfortable.

Sleep anywhere

(Taken at Indian Train Station)

I do not know a lot of things in life, but at least, I know that traveling is definitely one of the best ways to be ALIVE. I learnt so much while I was traveling. I learnt to be less judgemental as I am more aware of my ignorance and lack of knowledge. I learnt that a simple kindness in a foreign land is heart warming and it could linger in the heart for years. I learnt to appreciate differences between cultures and people, at the same time, realising that deep within, everyone is the same. I am humbled by all the amazing people I met. I learnt to appreciate hiccups as part of the journey, and quite often, it makes the trip memorable and a good conversation topic.

Most importantly, traveling reminded me that I am an insignificant sentient being in this wonderful big world. While my existence does not matter, I am grateful that I have the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate this beautiful world. I am also aware that my time is limited....

+++

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

The Last Lecture - Randy Pausch

I watched this last lecture in late 2007 when Randy Pausch was still around. I thought that since he was so positive and optimistic, may be a miracle might happen. Despite knowing that his odds was low, I was still saddened by the news of his departure.

I wrote about it in 2009.

I read his book and watched his lecture again, there are still so many lessons to be learnt. Below are my key takeaways:

"The brick wall are there for a reason. They are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something."

"Never lose the childlike wonder"

"People are more important than things"

--> Randy poured coke onto the back seat of his new convertible car, to tell his niece & nephew that it is okay to mess up his things. Later that evening, his nephew vomited in his new convertible. Don't get upset over things.

"Don't complain, just work harder."

"Why do pancakes need to be round?.... We (Randy & his nephew & niece) were always making weirdly shaped animal pancakes."

"Complaining does not work as a strategy. We all have finite time & energy. Any time we spend whining is unlikely to help us achieve our goals. And it won't make us happier."

"It's not how hard you hit. It's how hard you get hit and keep moving forward."

"Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted. And experience is often the most valuable thing you have to offer."

"If you want something bad enough, never give up."

" Someone asked Randy 'Wow, you got your tenure early. What's your secret?'

He replied 'It's pretty simple. Call me any friday night in my office at ten o'clock and I'll tell you.'

Hard work is like compounded interest in the bank. The rewards build faster." 

"No regrets, give it the best shot"

"Showing Gratitude is one of simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other."

Book: The Tao of Warren Buffett

 Below are some quotes from the Sage of Omaha - Warren Buffett.

"You can't make a good deal with a bad person"

"It is easier to stay out of trouble than it is to get out of trouble."

"Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago."

"There seems to be some perverse human characteristic that likes to make easy things difficult."

"You only have to do a very few things right in your life so long as you don't do too many things wrong."

"That which is not worth doing at all is not worth doing well." 

"We never look back. We just figure there is so much to look forward to that there is no sense thinking of what we might have done. It just doesn't make any difference. You can only live life forward." 

"I'm very suspect of the person who is very good at one business - it also could be a good athlete or a good entertainer - who starts thinking they should tell the world how to behave on everything. For us to think that jus because we made a lot of money, we're going to be better at giving advice on every subject - well, that's just crazy." 

"We do not have, never have had, and never will have an opinion about where the stock market, interest rates, or business activity will be a year from now."

"Of the billionaires I have known, money just brings out the basic traits in them. If they were jerks before they had money, they are simply jerks with a billion dollars"

+++

I enjoyed reading these investment books, as it is not just about investment principles and philosophies, but also life lessons and philosophies. 

=)

Quote: "Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago"

(Taken at Thar Desert, Rajasthan, India) 

"Someone is sitting in the shade today 

because someone planted a tree a long time ago."

- Warren Buffett

+++

Think of the things we are enjoying now:

The peace

The safety

The equality

The basic human rights

The religious freedom

The clean water

The education

The healthcare

We should learn to practice to live in Gratitude.

Many things that we are enjoying now are the results of the innovation, sacrifice, hard work, pain, war, riots, protests, illness, sadness, hardship that many human beings before us have went through .

This is the law of inter-dependency.

We are not alone, and we are dependent on each other.

And more importantly, we should be grateful towards our parents and our predecessors. 

 Remember that we are enjoying the fruits of their labour and sacrifice.

For that, we should honor them by living a good life and live in Gratitude.

Quotes

"Pain is inevitable, 

Suffering is optional" 

- Buddhist Saying

The Seven Forms of Wealth

Taken from: The Greatness Guide

INNER WEALTH

This includes a positive mindset, high self-respect, internal peace and a strong spiritual connection.

PHYSICAL WEALTH

Your health is your wealth. What's the point of getting to a great place in your career if you get sick doing it? Why be the best businessperson in the hospital ward? Why be the richest person in the graveyard?

FAMILY AND SOCIAL WEALTH

When your family life is happy, you will perform better at work. No one gets to the end of their life and regrets making their family their first priority. Related to this is the imperative of forging deep connections with friends and members of your personal community (including mentors, role models and trusted advisors).

CAREER WEALTH

Actualizing your highest potential by reaching for your best in your career is incredibly important. Getting to greatness in your profession brings a feeling of satisfaction on a job well done. It helps you make your mark. Being world class in your work is good for your self-respect.

ECONOMIC WEALTH

Yes, money is important. Not the most important thing in life but very important. It absolutely makes life easier and better. Money allows you to live in a nice home, take beautiful vacations and provide well for those you love. And as Yvon Chouinard, the founder of the outdoor gear company Patagonia, has said: "The more I make, the more I can give away."

ADVENTURE WEALTH

To be fulfilled, each of us needs mystery in our lives. Challenge is necessary for happiness. The human brain craves novelty. And we are creative beings so we need to be creating constantly if we hope to feel joy. Lots of adventure (ranging from meeting new people to visiting new places) is an essential element of authentic wealth.

IMPACT WEALTH

Perhaps the deepest longing of the human heart is to live for something greater than itself. Each of us craves to be significant. To make a difference. To know that the world has somehow been better because we have walked the planet. Think of what Richard Bach once wrote:"Here is the test to find whether your mission on earth is finished: If you're alive, it isn't."