AN UNFITTING TRIBUTE TO THE NEW YEAR
(Inspired by last night's alcohol)

Only now waking up at noon,

Realizing 2014 had come too soon.

Literally caught with my pants down,

I know  I'm just  New Year's clown.

Like being part of a bad cartoon,

It's even hard acting like a goon.

So, I stumble my way into town,

Totally clueless like Charlie Brown.

Acting like I'm over the moon.

When I'm a grouch in a lampoon,

Stubbornly wearing 2013's gown,

While missing the new year's crown!

TIME FOR SOME SMOOTH JAZZ FOR THE HOLIDAY

1. The Soul Of Smooth Jazz

     

This is sure to bring your spirits up!

2. Best Smooth Grooves Soft Soul & Smooth Jazz

 

And this one to smooth out your nerves!

HOW TO LOVE LIKE THE GODS

In 1960, C S Lewis wrote a book called "The Four Loves" to explore the nature of love in its four guises as denoted by the four Greek words for love, namely Storge (or affection) - love for family members; Philia (or friendship) - love between friends; Eros (or romance) - being in love; and Agape (or charity) - unconditional love.

Only the last two, Eros and Agape may be applicable to a love relationship between an unrelated man and woman. Traditionally, Eros is thought to be the Greek concept of love and Agape the Christian form of love, though both concepts agree that love is not blind.

My contention is that we should move beyond the erotic form of love, and start embracing agapic love for our girlfriend, lover or wife.

Erotic love is characterized by 5 main features:
1. It is acquisitive in that it longs for the possession of the object of love.
2. It is a purely human form of love.
3. It is motivated by the perceived value of the object. We love someone because we value her.  The underlying assumption is that it is impossible to love someone whom we value negatively, and should we realize that she does not have the value we thought she had, we would likely cease to love her!
4. It is a self-centered form of love in that the aim of loving someone is to secure our own happiness.
5. Our assessment of the worthiness of our love object can be modified or corrected over time and therefore there is a built-in inclination for erotic love to change.

In contrast, agapic love also has 5, but different characteristics:
1. It is originally a divine form of love where only the Christian God is purportedly capable of providing such love.
2. It is spontaneous and unconditional.
3. It is not motivated by whatever prior value the object of your love possesses, but it is the act of loving that person that bestows value on her.  It's the reversal of erotic love in that we value someone because we love her. It creates value in the object of your love because the act of loving her makes her worthy of being loved.
4. It is unselfish because the objective is not to secure your own happiness but hers.
5. Since it is not subjected to change, it lasts forever.

I think agapic love is within the reach of human beings and, in fact, essential for a long-lasting and enduring love. As your lover ages, loses her beauty, her wits or even her mind and become a cranky and out-of-shape woman, it would not make you lose your love for you as it was not dependent on those qualities in the first place. So, be like the gods and love unconditionally!

STEVIE WONDER'S GREATEST ALBUM

SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FBn4m2VeKE

HOW TO HAVE A HAPPY MARRIAGE

If one does an Internet search for the rules for a happy marriage, something like this will be found: 

12 Rules For a Happy Marriage

1. Never be angry at the same time as your spouse.

2. Never yell at each other unless the house is on fire.

3. Yield to the wishes of the other if you can't think of a better reason for doing anything.

4. If you have to make a choice between making your self or your mate look good - choose your mate.

5. If you feel you must criticize, do so lovingly.

6. Never bring up a mistake of the past.

7. Neglect the whole world rather than each other.

8. Never let the day end without saying at least one complimentary thing to your partner.

9. Never meet without an affectionate welcome.

10. Never go to bed mad.

11. When you made a mistake, talk it out and ask for forgiveness.

12. Remember, it takes two to make an argument. The one who is wrong is the one who will be doing most of the talking.

However, I find such a list distinctly unhelpful. A couple trying to conduct their marriage according to these commandments seems to be just following these rules without understanding at all what a happy marriage entails. Furthermore, most of the items in the list appear to teach us how to quarrel correctly rather than how not to quarrel in the first place!

So, I think the first key to a blissful marriage is to learn and acquire the essential elements of a healthy relationship. And the second key is to recognize and avoid the pitfalls that can lead to divorce.

FIRST KEY: MAINTAIN THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF A HEALTHY MARRIAGE:

1. A perpetual romance. You should court each other continuously.

2. A sincere friendship. You should be courteous and kind to each other both in words and deeds. You should not try to dominate or bully, but to respect your partner as an equal. Remember to adopt a cheerful disposition towards him/her and care for his/her welfare.

3. An unguarded openness. Be ready to share everything and anything on your mind without fear of prejudice or of causing offense. On the receiving end, try not to take offense, but listen with understanding and empathy. Always communicate clearly and honestly. It helps if both parties have a good sense of humor. 

4. A complete trust. Trust that your partner's love for you is real and he/she will never do anything to betray your love for him/her. 

5. A common understanding. Be confident that you know what his/her preferences are and how he/she will react to events or circumstances.

6. A consistent love. Maintain a constant effort to enhance your partner's happiness.

SECOND KEY: AVOID THE PITFALLS OF AN UNHEALTHY MARRIAGE:

1. Beware of boredom. There is a danger that marital life can become routine and either party can become distracted with other potential love interests.  We must make repeated efforts to rekindle our love spark.

2. Prevent dissatisfaction with your partner's character or behavior.  Frequent and intense disagreements are the symptoms of such dissatisfaction. We should learn to accept our differences.

3. Know that a lack of empathy can lead to resentment. We should understand the frustrations of workplace pressures, the stress of parental duties, the physical demands of home maintenance and the essential obligations towards our in-laws as felt by either party; and help each other to overcome these challenges.

4.  Be mindful that the cancer of distrust can lead to detachment and solitude within a marital relationship. Mutual suspicion is a sure killer of emotional intimacy.  Take the step of unconditional trust in your partner and he/she will reciprocate.

5.  We should be aware of our partner's expectations in the marriage. Ignorance or indifference towards your partner's unfulfilled expectations can lead to demoralizing disappointment. So, take the time to find out and fulfill your partner's expectations.

6.  Preoccupation with work or children can result in neglect of your partner.  In order not to take your partner's love for granted, make daily efforts to appreciate his/her love and seek ways to please him/her.

So, use the first key to open the treasure box of a blissful marriage; and use the second key to lock away the dungeon of divorce forever!

 

ARE WE ALONE IN THE UNIVERSE?

The Milky Way Galaxy

Is there life only on Earth and nowhere else? 

This question appears to have been convincingly answered by Berkeley astronomers recently when they analyzed data from the Kepler Space Telescope. 

The Kepler Space Telescope was launched in 2009 and is currently orbiting the sun. Over the last 4 years, it took half-hourly photographs of 150,000 stars in our Milky Way galaxy.  From this data, the astronomers noted that about one in five stars may have a planet that is neither too hot nor too cold, but just right, with the potential for life.  This is in the so-called Goldilocks Zone. 

This suggests that our galaxy has not just one planet (Earth) with life, but there are about 40 billion such planets! Of those 40 billion planets, 11 billion of them actually orbit stars similar to our sun.

If that is the number in our galaxy alone, the amount of planetary life in this Universe must be incalculable!

In fact, the closest Earth-sized and Earth-like planet has been estimated to be only 12 light years away! I shall call this sister planet of ours, "Earthalee"! Wow, in the vastness of the Universe, Earth and Earthalee are like two little girls walking hand-in-hand, giggling in wonder at this huge cosmic crowd, full of noise and action!

It's a momentous occasion to celebrate, for we have never been alone after all!

ART DECO 2013 <> 3102 OCED TRA

"Toilet Tile Psychedelia"

ArT DeC0 20Thirteen

"The World Is Full Of Amoebas"

'String Theory in Eleven Dimensions"

"Cages Inside And Outside Prisons"

"Big Brother as Lego Playthings"

THE RELATION BETWEEN INTELLIGENCE AND RELIGIOSITY
A Meta-analysis and Some Proposed Explanations

by Miron Zuckerman and Jordan Silberman from the University of Rochester, NY, USA, and Judith A. Hall of Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA

Published on 6 August 2013 in Personality and Social Psychology Review, 2013

This is the first ever meta-analysis of 63 studies on intelligence and religiosity conducted between 1928 and 2012.  The advantage of a meta-analysis compared to single studies is that it can reach a more accurate and less biased conclusion by using statistical theory to compensate for the inadequacies of individual studies in terms of sample size, quality of data collection and methods of analysis.

The authors had defined "intelligence" as the ability to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, comprehend complex ideas, learn quickly, and learn from experience. Strictly speaking, this is what experts call "analytic intelligence".

"Religiosity" was defined as involvement in some (or all) facets of religion, which includes belief in the supernatural, offering gifts to this supernatural, and performing rituals affirming their beliefs. Other signs of religiosity were measured using surveys, church attendance, and membership in religious organizations.

RESULTS

The results of the study showed that, in 53 out of the 63 studies, there was a significant negative association between intelligence and religiosity. This was especially so for college students and the general population compared to participants younger than college age; and the correlation was stronger for religious beliefs rather than for religious behavior. 

CONCLUSION 

The authors concluded that, generally, religious people are less intelligent than non-believers.  In their analysis, there is little doubt that religious people score worse on varying measures of intelligence.

EXPLANATIONS

There are three possible explanations why intelligent people appear to be less religious.

First, intelligent people are less likely to conform and, therefore, are more likely to resist religious dogma. 

Second, intelligent people may think more analytically rather than intuitively. Analytic thinking is slow, controlled and systematic, whereas intuitive thinking is fast and heuristic-based. So, they dislike accepting beliefs that are not subject to empirical tests or logical reasoning. There may be less religiosity in intelligent people simply because they find religious beliefs unscientific and irrational. 

Thirdly, religion provides people with a sense of control in a more predictable and less threatening worldview; provides a method of instilling discipline in pursuing goals; provides a higher sense of self-worth; and provides a sense of anchoring attachment to a God when facing the challenges of life.  But, intelligent people may find that their intelligence can serve whatever functions that religion provides for believers. So, they may feel that they do not need religion to live a confident and fulfilling life.

HOW THE GOVERNMENT CAN KEEP SINGAPOREANS' TRUST

“Without basic trust in the Government, none of our plans can make it off the paper or can be realized.” 
                  - Mr Lee Hsien Loong, PM of Singapore, 30 September 2013

Mr David Chan, director of the Behavioural Sciences Institute, Lee Kuan Yew Fellow and Professor of Psychology at the Singapore Management University suggested the following 3-pronged approach in tackling the issue:

(1) Trust in the Government should be discussed by examining its actual competence, integrity and benevolence as well as how these qualities are being perceived by the public.

(2) We must recognize the need to assess and monitor trust levels continuously.

(3) We ought to have a real understanding into the nature of trust and its consequences.

MY CONTRIBUTION

I think we should have a simpler concept of trust, best exemplified by the 70's disco song "Got To Be Real" by Cheryl Lynn:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlCC1XojRzM&sns=em

Yes, I think the best way to win and keep trust is to be sincere, authentic, transparent and moral. It's as simple as that!                                                                               

WHAT IS POLITICS?

Is politics merely a battle of iron wills,
Truth and facts, it conveniently kills?
Or is it an honest meeting of minds,
To conciliate opinions of different kinds?

TIME TO SCRAP THE UNNECESSARY COE SYSTEM

LTA's latest modification to the COE system is grossly inadequate and highly disappointing. It is therefore unsurprising that it has attracted much immediate criticism and disagreement from many quarters, ranging from industry experts to green campaigners and from media watchers to ordinary motorists.

There are many reasons why the COE system fails to provide an efficient, fair and stable  method of easing traffic congestion.

Firstly, from its inception in 1990 till today, LTA used an auction system to allocate COEs. The inherent intention of any auction is to obtain the highest possible price for whatever that is being auctioned.  Therefore, whichever the system of categorization of COEs, however the method of modification and whatever the secondary rules you have, the richer bidders will always be favored. The lack of social equity will remain.  Merely labeling cars as an unnecessary luxury will not placate the frustrated aspirations of ordinary Singaporeans. After all, cars are actually not that expensive, but are artificially made expensive through high taxation and the imposition of a high ransom called the COE.

Secondly, the original purpose of preventing traffic congestion has been largely forgotten or ignored. Too much time and energy are spent tweaking the COE system. To ensure smooth flow of traffic, the first requisite is to control our car population. This can be easily achieved without resorting to expensive and troublesome COEs! For example, we can effortlessly freeze our car population tomorrow by stipulating that every new car registered must be accompanied by the de-registration of another vehicle by the buyer. First time buyers can only buy second-hand cars.  Overnight, control of our car population is achieved without a single additional cent changing hands. This will be fair and make life better for everyone irrespective of wealth.

Thirdly, our excellent ERP system has not been fully utilized. To encourage the use of public transport and car-pooling, the quantum of ERP charges should be raised by a few multiples to prevent congestion in hotspots during peak hours.

Fourthly, the LTA had stressed repeatedly that the COE system is implemented solely to prevent traffic congestion and never to generate revenue.  One wonders whether we should continue to trust LTA's word that the $50 billion collected through the COE system is purely incidental and unintended. Or will conspiracy theorists begin to feel that the continued failure of the COE system is cynically intended by design to ensure a smooth flow of revenue!

Over the last 23 years, much time, money and effort had been spent on implementing the COE system. Yet, our roads are still congested, prospective car buyers are still frustrated, many car dealers have gone bust, car owners are heavily burdened financially, and our inflation rate has been adversely affected.

Why do we continue to use this inefficient, unfair and unnecessary COE system, making life difficult for everyone?

A RARE LIVERPOOL MOMENT: THAT TOP-OF-THE-TABLE FEELING, HOWEVER FLEETING IT MAY BE...

Liverpool fans will long remember 1st September 2013.  It was a rare day of satisfaction for all their fans worldwide when their team jumped to the top of the Premier League table after the extra bonus of defeating their arch-rivals Manchester United at home.

Though it is still early days in the new season, the signs are good.  They certainly deserve their present elevated position, being the only Premier League team with a perfect record of 3 wins, 3 clean sheets and being 2 points clear.

Thanks to a couple of international matches interrupting the League program, Liverpool fans can prolong their delusive happiness a little longer, at least until their next League match with Swansea on the 16th.  So, let's not deny the long-suffering Liverpool fans (since 1990) their fleeting moment of glory! 

THE STATE OF MODERN SOCIETY

MORPH THE CAT by Donald Fagen (2006)

This is one super album by the better half of the duo that is (was?) Steely Dan. Everything is there - the brainy cryptic lyrics, the infectious soothing tunes and the immaculate sounds. One of the best albums ever!

It's the culmination of Fagen's trilogy of concept albums about youth (Nightfly 1982), about middle age (Kamakiriad 1993) and this, about old age. 

Tracks:

1. "Morph the Cat" – 6:49 - about mind-death brought about by the pervasive brain-washing of modern life.

2. "H Gang" – 5:15 - about the reminiscences of an old band that had long broken up.

3. "What I Do" – 6:01 - about the imaginary dialogue between Fagen and Ray Charles.

4. "Brite Nitegown" – 7:16 - about one's inevitable encounter with the grim reaper.

5. "The Great Pagoda of Funn" – 7:39 - about a pair of lovers trying to shut out the harsh world.

6. "Security Joan" – 6:09 - about a man falling for an airport security guard in the midst of terrorism fears.

7. "The Night Belongs to Mona" – 4:18 - about a suicidal young woman in a highrise apartment in the shadow of 9/11.

8. "Mary Shut the Garden Door" – 6:29 - about the invasion of politics into our private lives.

9. "Morph the Cat (Reprise)" – 2:53 - Fagen urged in his last line: "All watch the skies for Morph the Cat", as he reflected on the the political and cultural tragedies of his country.

Truly, an inspirational album!

OUR SINGAPORE CONVERSATION'S

FIVE CORE ASPIRATIONS AS A GUIDE FOR FUTURE GOVERNMENT POLICY

A RECONSTRUCTED DECONSTRUCTION

Conceived and introduced during the National Day Rally in August 2012, Our Singapore Conversation was launched inviting all Singaporeans to come forward to share their hopes and aspirations for Singapore's future.  By the time of its recent conclusion, the exercise had involved over 47,000 Singaporeans who participated in over 660 dialogue sessions held in many parts of the country.

Initially, twelve common perspectives were discerned as follows:

1. A Society with Diverse Definitions of Success
2. A Singapore with a more Fulfilling Pace of Life
3. A Singapore with a Strong and Vibrant Economy
4. A Society with Strong Families
5. A Singapore that is Affordable to Live in
6. A Society where Everyone can Age with Dignity
7. A Society that Takes Care of the Disadvantaged
8. A Society with a Greater Sense of Togetherness
9. A Singapore for Singaporeans
10. A Society where Government and the People have a more Collaborative Relationship
11. A Society Anchored on Values
12. A Singapore with a Competent and Trustworthy Government

In the end, five core aspirations emerged:

1. Opportunities - in a competitive economy,
2. Assurance - that housing and affordable health care will always be within reach,
3. Purpose - in lives that celebrate achievements beyond the economic, and that value shared memories and heritage spaces,
4. Spirit - in communities that organize ground-up initiatives and take care of their most disadvantaged,
5. Trust - between the government and the people, as well as among Singaporeans.

Deconstruction

5 pertinent questions:

1. Are these 5 core aspirations truly representative of the desires of Singaporeans?

2. Is there a difference between desires and needs?

3. Should the resources of our country be harnessed according to desires or to needs?

4. Should government policy be guided by statistically popular choices or should it be based on sensible and prudent judgement?

5. Are these merely common aspirations held by people everywhere and we would have written them out simply using common sense without having to conduct such a tedious exercise?

Reconstruction 

If we examine and reflect on the 5 core aspirations, it will dawn on us that they are somehow strangely familiar. Clue: any student of psychology would have an insightful recollection like me.

The connection that I see is produced in the diagram below:

Yes, uncannily, our 5 core aspirations corresponded exactly with Abraham Maslow's 1943 Hierarchy of Needs!  Maslow's hierarchy of self-actualization, esteem, belongingness, security and physiological needs are related to our own core aspirations of opportunities, trust, purpose, spirit and assurance respectively.

This realization leads to 5 constructive conclusions:

1. Singaporeans are a sensible and rational bunch of people. Their needs and desires are one and the same, in so far as their needs lead to corresponding desires.

2. Singaporeans are not that unique because they have the same needs as all humans everywhere. Therefore, the lessons of this exercise are not only for local consumption, but they can act as a template for universal application.

3. Rather than a pointless exercise in reinventing the wheel, the Conversation exercise self-validates its own findings by empirically showing that its conclusions are consistent with established psychological theory.

4. Yes, our government policy should be guided by our core aspirations.

5. If so, our efforts in trying to fulfill our 5 core aspirations will also have a certain order and hierarchy. We now realize that our first priority should be to provide affordable health care and housing.  Only when such basic needs are satisfied can we hope for people to spontaneously care for each other and develop a sense of common identity and destiny. A common Singaporean identity will inspire Singaporeans to respect each other as equals and collaborate in their nation-building project.  Mutual respect is the precursor to the building of trust. And only with trust can people start believing that their fellow countrymen are not their cut-throat competitors, but they are friends who will support them in trying to be the best that they can be! 

POST-LENNON IMAGININGS
A poetic tribute to Singapore on her 48th birthday on 9th August 2013

Imagine that there are no leaders,
You and me, our own teachers.
No soldiers, police or government;
Every heart in silent agreement.  

Simple rules color our freedom,
Floating in a flat magical kingdom,
No central body for coordination.
A crown on every head and station.

The year is two thousand and fifty,
Having complexity  upon uncertainty,
Was it accident or was it blunder,
The melting away of the old order?

Decisions based on acting and reacting,
No more divisive opinion or feeling.
Cooperation in competition, our edge,
A celebrated diversity of knowledge.

Problem-solving, we distribute,
To each individual, it's a tribute.
Allocating resources by efficiency,
No matter change or emergency.

No longer the old argument so perpetual,

Between community and individual.

We adapt and give our attention,

In self-organization and collaboration.

Small bits of effort, single outcome,
A joint project, society has become.
Disagreement, compromise, domination?
We'll take consensus and integration.

O, how this imagination has grown.
Maybe, this cool reality is overblown.
If we could awaken from this dream,
We'll realize that old and new remain a team!

WORLD DILIGENCE DAY 24/7

I hereby declare today, 24th July, as World Diligence Day.  This is a tribute to all the hardworking people of the world who work long hours every week to better the lot of their families and themselves.  They are the true heroes because they are the ones who keep the world going!

In this globalized world, some may work 24/7, that is, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Hence, today 24th July 2013 is designated as the first World Diligence Day!

According to a report in the Singapore Business Review on 18 Oct 2012, among 8 economic powers, in terms of average weekly working hours, Singapore topped the chart:

Countries/Average weekly working hours in 2011

Singapore          46.0

Hong Kong        45.0

South Korea      44.0

Taiwan               43.5

Japan                40.0

USA                  38.0

UK                     36.5

Australia            35.0

Personally, I work about 50 hours a week.

BOOK SUMMARY

WINNING WITHOUT LOSING (2013) by Martin Bjergegaard & Jordan Milne

Martin Bjergegaard is one of the founders of Rainmaking, an enterprise started in 2006 with 3 other friends with the purpose of creating great highly-successful companies without having to sacrifice fun, happiness and friends. His successful experience in Rainmaking and his extensive interviews with 25 business role models from all over the world have resulted in this book written with fellow entrepreneur and writer Jordan Milne which promises to teach us how to achieve success without sacrifice.

They wanted to bust the following myths regarding hard work and sacrifice:

1. The harder you work, the more money you make.
2. Success comes from sacrifice.
3. It is hard to be successful.
4. You need to choose between being a family person or a business person.
5. Balance is for retirement or after the 'big exit'.
6. There is no time to do it all.
7. Pushing yourself is necessary.
8. The winner is the one who works the hardest.
9. The more hours you work, the more impact you will have.
10. Being an entrepreneur means no holiday for several years.
11. Family and friends are for Sundays.

Their distillation of unique methods, mind-sets and secrets has been summarized as 66 strategies in the book as follows:

EFFICIENCY BOOSTERS

1. Gather a team of great co-founders.
2. Don't sit around and wait. Get out there and start something.
3. Pick a timely project.
4. Make it a habit to test everything on a small scale.
5. Put yourself in a high-energy, inspiring environment with other entrepreneurs.
6. Always look for ways to stand out.
7. Allow the new IT tools and technologies to do some of the work for you.
8. Make sure you spend enough time with your team.
9. Hook up with people who share your passion.
10. Listen intently to honestly understand the other's perspective.
11. Apply the Lean approach (optimized routine) to your daily activities.
12. Relax and enjoy the process.
13. Dare to follow your energy.
14. Meditate for 12 minutes a day
15. Make being fully rested a key priority.

NEW WAYS OF DOING OLD THINGS

16. Take walking, running or biking meetings.
17. Turn your 'To Do' list into a 'Today' list.
18. Build your own circle of knowledge.
19. Consciously insert mind-freeing moments throughout your day.
20. Don't try to get everything done, just the few things that matter.

TIME SAVERS

21. Choose the right project.
22. Avoid people who drain your energy.
23. If you have to get from A to B, be smart about it.
24. Deal with conflicts in person.
25. Don't delay tough decisions.
26. Clear your agenda of activities that don't add value to your life.
27. Don't let the details keep you from seeing the big picture.
28. Don't deal with, or be, an asshole.
29. Relax and let others contribute.
30. Get to the point.
31. Take every opportunity to get people excited about your project.
32. Be smart about raising money.
33. Don't be a slave to your emails.
34. Avoid unnecessary conflicts.

EMPOWERING THOUGHTS FOR TOUGH TIMES

35. Trouble = challenges = growth = happiness.
36. Each setback is a new opportunity.
37. Regardless of your current situation, winning without losing is possible for you.
38. It is all about making many attempts  (and persevering on the right ones).
39. People older (and younger) than you are starting up their first business today.

DESIGN ELEMENTS FOR A BALANCED LIFE

40. Pick a business that's suitable for balance.
41. Figure out how to acquire the skills to be prepared for your next venture.
42. Split up and protect your day, don't let work take it all over.
43. Think ahead to secure your future balance.
44. Always have access to fresh air.
45. Live somewhere that excites you.
46. Make sure you have enough people o pick from to be able to recruit your perfect co-founders.
47. Choose co-founders you genuinely like.
48. Make sure you (and your co-founders) are all in.
49. Make a simple product, a simple company and think simple thoughts.

LIFE QUALITY ENHANCERS

50. Do what you always wanted to do right now.
51. Notice and appreciate all that went well today.
52. Stick up for your balance.
53. Live life and get a new perspective.
54. Create flow by making shared goals and challenges in your private life.
55. Make a gift or a donation every week.
56. Use your self-disciple to focus on the tasks you are  passionate about.
57. Make sure your whole team has the opportunity for balance.
58. Find your sense of self-worth from more sources than just your business.
59. Focus first on your most important friends.
60. Take care of yourself first.

STEPS TO TAKE THIS WEEK

61. Work one hour, and just one hour, at full intensity.
62. Seize the next chance you get for an opportunistic mini-workout.
63. Start tomorrow by doing the thing that has been hanging over your head all week.
64. Spend 2 hours thinking about your purpose in life.
65. Write down what you waste your precious time doing that doesn't significantly add to either your performance or your happiness.
66. Take the day off! Celebrate, digest the Winning Without Losing message and rejuvenate!

Perhaps, by reading this book, we can end our search for the ever-elusive work-life balance!

            HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR MUM!

  

I still remember what you told me to do.

DANIEL'S TWELVE COMMANDMENTS OF

COURTESY AND CIVILITY

1. Be ready to say "please", "thank you", "excuse me" or "sorry".

2. Listen attentively when someone is speaking and never interrupt.

3. Never lose your temper.

4. Respect the views of others.

5. Do not invade the privacy of others.

6. Be helpful by holding the door or the lift button, helping the infirm across the road, giving up your seat to the pregnant and the elderly and assisting the lost with directions and advice.

7. Never jump queue.

8. Do not leave a table dirty or uncleared after your meal.

9. Do not be distracted by electronic devices in the company of others.

10. Do not speak too loudly in public.

11. Be a gracious loser and a generous winner.

12. Do not take anything more than what you need.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
THE CASE OF EDWARD SNOWDEN

Does the US Government have the legal or moral authority to secretly conduct a worldwide invasion of privacy in the name of national security?  Mr Edward Snowden thinks not and bravely sticks his neck out.  How should we think and what should we do?

Is Mr Snowdon right to release classified secret Government documents to support his exposé?

Obviously, the US Government is wrong to spy on its own citizens if it is against its Constitution.  Wholesale and indiscriminate spying on other individuals living outside the USA is also unacceptable because they are not under US jurisdiction.  That's the legal position.  However, if Obama were to claim that he is using all available means to safeguard his country against threats of terrorism, then it would be hard to deny him his right to self-defense.  But, in this case, spying should be more targeted and not applied so widely and randomly.

Mr Snowdon is also wrong because he betrayed the trust of his Government by releasing secret classified documents to the world public without permission. If his conscience does not allow him to carry out his work, he should resign from his post.  Subsequently, he can take up the cause against the abuse of spying services in his personal capacity, but without using any of the privileged information that he was entitled when he was contracted to the US Defence Dept.

PATEK PHILIPPE 3494 - THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WATCH IN THE WORLD

INTRODUCING SPYRO GYRA THE ORIGINAL FUSION JAZZ MASTERS

HOW TO NAVIGATE THE PERMEABLE MEMBRANE BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL

No man can be called good or evil.

But, to become an angel or a devil,

Is a daily choice we must make.

It is certainly not a piece of cake.

If good is capricious in this universe,
Then angels can also turn perverse.

If wrongness is not permanent,

Then devils can become penitent.

If a man is a victim of his situation,

Then evil is not in his disposition.

If good is not from a Holy decree,

Then evil is only a matter of degree.

If unfamiliar situations test our will,

Fixed social roles we'll blindly fulfill.

If an individual bows to conformity,

He will be dehumanized to inactivity.

Against our situational difficulties

That are systemic in our societies,

Humanity's collective moral power,

Is actually as fragile as a flower.

At heart, evil is being self-centered,

And seeking to get others exploited.

From love, our eyes are turned away,

But, to resist evil, there is a way.

There are among everyday people,

Whose morals are much less supple.

Notice the nurse, donor or teacher,

Volunteer social worker or preacher.

Learning from these habitual heroes,

We'll fight all evils as our natural foes,

From being heroes of each moment,

To being in a heroic world movement!

*This poem was inspired by Professor Philip Zimbardo's more than 30 years of psychological research into the Lucifer Effect. This concerns the factors that lead seemingly good people to engage in evil actions.  His research was summarized in his 2008 Random House book: "The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil".  Professor Zimbardo is Emeritus Professor in Stanford University, having also previously taught at Yale, NYU and Columbia University, and now teaches at the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology and the Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey.