If...

We went through a series of "If..." questions during our team trip to Phuket recently.

To me, one way to boost positive energy is to think about life and work as a daily adventure. I know that adopting a fresh, playful approach guarantees nothing. But it does wake me up and make life and work more livable - even fun.

If I Had My Life to Live Over


I'd dare to make more mistakes next time.
I'd relax. I would limber up.
I would be sillier than I have been this trip.
I would take fewer things seriously.
I would take more chances.
I would take more trips.
I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers.
I would eat more ice cream and less beans.

I would perhaps have more actual troubles but I'd
have fewer imaginary ones.

You see, I'm one of those people who live sensibly
and sanely hour after hour, day after day.

Oh, I've had my moments and if I had it to do over
again, I'd have more of them. In fact,
I'd try to have nothing else. Just moments.

One after another, instead of living so many
years ahead of each day.

I've been one of those people who never go anywhere
without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat
and a parachute.

If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot
earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall.

If I had it to do again, I would travel lighter next time.
I would go to more dances.
I would ride more merry-go-rounds.
I would pick more daisies.

If I had to do it all over again.
But you see, I don't.


By Nadine Stair (age 85)

Moving on

Last week I went with my parents to view a house which they are planning to move into. Later that afternoon, I spent some time poking into drawers, corners and envelopes filled with years full of stuff. I sorted through and threw away many of the artifacts of my past. Some other things need to be kept and treasured.

As I read some of the letters and looked at some old photos, I compared my life now with what it was then. How it has changed.

One day of slowing down and handling both types of artifacts forced me to reflect on the various seasons of my life. Maybe we shouldn't wait for a move to do that.

To be the best-version of ourselves

12 forty niners from Saints81 congregated in JB last night.

The bulk of the focus of the night was doing and having. 9 times out of 10 the question was, "What do you do?" and "how many children do you have?"

What we do in the span of our lives  may bring us financial rewards, status, fame, power and unimaginable possessions, but lasting happiness and fulfillment are not by-products of doing and having.

I believe who we become is infinitely more important than what we do or what we have.

In the words of Robert Louis Stevenson, "To be what we are, and to become what we are capable of becoming, is the only end of life."

Standing (from left: Vipu, Basil, Thulasi, Kim Long, Thiru, Soma, Benjamin)
Seated(from left: Michael, Thiagarajan, richard, Jaya)

Preventing CVD

From the images of my CTCA, through my layman's eyes, my coronary arteries looked like rosary beads.

I've always thought that cholesterol was the bogeyman of CVD. Yet my cholesterol levels has been in a good place the past few years. Taking a cue from the proactive Angelina Jolie, I will chase all avenues to prevent CVD from developing.

Lifestyle, medication and nutritional supplements, even surgery perhaps. I will be an information hound. For sure, i will develop an absolutely artery-friendly diet and increase my hours in the gym.

Law of attraction at work

"Imagining that you are single, what are the qualities you would like your ideal partner to possess?" Kelly surveyed.

Many in the group murmured...I already have a relationship and I am stuck in it, so what's the point of imagining that I am single?

Come to think of it, it's still a good exercise anyway.

Most people have a very clear idea of what they don't want in a partner, but find it hard to describe what they do want. But the more we are able to describe what we are looking for, the better our chances of attracting that to our relationship.

Have you ever noticed that when you are thinking of buying a particular car, you start to see that car everywhere? Once we know what we are looking for, you will be amazed how quickly it appears.

Facing the right demands

We had steak in Jack's Place last night. Because it was also Mother's Day weekend, we couldn't seem to get the server's attention. The server is scurrying all around us, but for some reason we can't catch his eye.

There are some sales people I know who are just like this incompetent server. They refuse to take the responsibility for hearing what's needed from them by their associates.

I know it's a cliche, but it's still good advice: make the time in quiet moments off the job to think hard and be imaginative in finding ways that put your gifts and values into play on what your organization wants done. Do this right and people will stay out of your way! They'll want you to do what you do best.

14

ACE celebrates his 14th birthday today!

At this stage, he is beginning to argue and express his unique and different opinions. Even when I don't agree with his point of view, I at least appreciate his logic.

This, i believe, is an important stage of his development. He especially needs the freedom to think differently and form his own opinions.

Parenting has always been a challenge. Although it takes extra time in the beginning to learn, it is well worth it.

By giving ACE the freedom to discover and express his true self, I hope to give him the gift of greatness. I pray he grows up confident, cooperative and compassionate.