The family and I have recently returned from a short 10 day trip to Tasmania.
The weather was ideal, between 8 - 18 deg C, food was great and with the Aussie dollar at nearly 1 : 1 Singapore Dollar, everything became relatively CHEAP!In short a very pleasant holiday.
We rented a Toyota Tarago, an 8 seater (5 passengers + bags) and this was a good plan. At nearly A$60 per day with 200km free and GPS (very reliable), this offer could hardly be beat.
If you are considering a retirement place, Tasmania should certainly be on your radar. If you, like our family, love oysters and sea food, you can have them all over here. The oysters were the best I have had in years. Prawns and crayfish, cooked straight from the nets, were always sweet with a hint of the sea salty flavor which enhances the treat. The types of fish, often deep water types, were more than what we see in the wet markets of Singapore.
If there was any complaint, it would be the television programmes. In the 9 days that we were over there, I did not and could not easily get to view any global news network, read any global financial newspapers. In a way that is a blessing if one truly wants to be away from the hassle and bustle of big city living. For that is what you get and if the cold turkey phase passes, you might be able to truly relax and enjoy what the country has in store for you.
Fresh air - possibly the best in the world, given the 480,000 people and therefore significantly low population of cars as well. One can drive for miles and there would be few cars ahead or behind you. So driving is practically stress free.
Nature walks aplenty and with breathtaking landscape to go with it. Wineglass Bay, Freycinet coast lines were awesome. Nature parks to visit with the Tassie Devil, the kangaroos and wallabies, the wombat, the deer, the geese connect with you and the one thought that we are one with them, keeps popping up.
In these few days, we had travelled a leisurely 1200 km, and visited just a little over one quarter of the island. So definitely a return to Tasmania to cover the other parts in the years ahead. Just make sure, each visit allows a minimum of 14 days, to just fall in love with the country and prepare to leave with some travel lust yet unfulfilled.
The destination is now on my list of countries to retire in. The key word is retire because to find work on the island, one has to be prepared to be a farmer for fruit and animals. The cherries are now coming into season, and so for the strawberries, persimmons, apples, figs, apricots, berries etc... the list just goes on.
I can't wait to return. My son Peter-Jan has suggested a male bonding trip, father and son, the next time round. This surely is a must do.
The next blog will see a review of 2008 and a preview of 2009.
Merry Christmas and wishing you the reader a very fulfilling 2009.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Friday, October 31, 2008
Blood on the Streets October 2008
This has to be the worst October for the investor finance world in a 100 years. Well at least in my working life time of 27 years.
Global stock markets have sunk to historic lows. With it, our hard earn savings invested into stocks, bonds, unit trusts, property and what have you. Value lost would play in the 50 - 100 % from that of 1 year ago or even 1 month ago.
Certainly the investment strategy of "invest for the medium and long term" no longer sound wise. So what does one do in the current situation. Clearly, to sell into the lows is not a good idea. However, if there is any perception that the markets could go further down, the temptation is to sell now and buy later. Only 1 fault here; we do not have the crystal ball of future market moves. So really the only strategy is one of hold and look for bargains to add to your portfolio of investments. The strategy that is called into play " buy low and sell high" an advice that has stood the test of time. The assumption is that you have time and the additional financial resources to implement. And really that is what I would recommend to self and you readers.
A thematic approach here is also suggested. Buy into stocks which can take the brunt of the current market scenarios. I am not saying that these stocks will not fall further in price. However, the buy dips into these should be considered. These stocks will typically fall into the following labels:
1. food
2. commodities
3. utilities e.g. power, water, gas, telecommunications
A general principle advocated here : what you would typically have to use and consume, no matter what the world may look like.
And for the rest of time when you are not thinking you about investments; to review what you would consider as the more important matters of life. The thoughts should direct you to the meaningful relationships in your life. This is perhaps also a good time to stop and "smell the roses" ie appreciating the nature and the buzz of life that surrounds you.
Many of life's ills can be traced to the psychological impacts of relationships. The lucky, who have the privilege of being loved and shares love with another. And for those who are perceived less priviledged should perhaps consider re-looking at why they are missing out and to review what ways to change the result. Really the message is about not giving up before trying to look at the world from a different perspective. Change the way you look at the world, and you change the world!
Blood on the streets was a description of the battle of Waterloo, fought between Nelson and Napolean Bonaparte. The finance world has taken the tag line to imply the opportunities which are becoming available and that the worst has probably passed. So a dose of positivism is recommended. Negativism will simply paralyse you from the opportunities which are there but am afraid to reach out. I do not just mean this for the financial investments but rather the good relationships which can be built and cultivated.
See you all at the next blog.
Global stock markets have sunk to historic lows. With it, our hard earn savings invested into stocks, bonds, unit trusts, property and what have you. Value lost would play in the 50 - 100 % from that of 1 year ago or even 1 month ago.
Certainly the investment strategy of "invest for the medium and long term" no longer sound wise. So what does one do in the current situation. Clearly, to sell into the lows is not a good idea. However, if there is any perception that the markets could go further down, the temptation is to sell now and buy later. Only 1 fault here; we do not have the crystal ball of future market moves. So really the only strategy is one of hold and look for bargains to add to your portfolio of investments. The strategy that is called into play " buy low and sell high" an advice that has stood the test of time. The assumption is that you have time and the additional financial resources to implement. And really that is what I would recommend to self and you readers.
A thematic approach here is also suggested. Buy into stocks which can take the brunt of the current market scenarios. I am not saying that these stocks will not fall further in price. However, the buy dips into these should be considered. These stocks will typically fall into the following labels:
1. food
2. commodities
3. utilities e.g. power, water, gas, telecommunications
A general principle advocated here : what you would typically have to use and consume, no matter what the world may look like.
And for the rest of time when you are not thinking you about investments; to review what you would consider as the more important matters of life. The thoughts should direct you to the meaningful relationships in your life. This is perhaps also a good time to stop and "smell the roses" ie appreciating the nature and the buzz of life that surrounds you.
Many of life's ills can be traced to the psychological impacts of relationships. The lucky, who have the privilege of being loved and shares love with another. And for those who are perceived less priviledged should perhaps consider re-looking at why they are missing out and to review what ways to change the result. Really the message is about not giving up before trying to look at the world from a different perspective. Change the way you look at the world, and you change the world!
Blood on the streets was a description of the battle of Waterloo, fought between Nelson and Napolean Bonaparte. The finance world has taken the tag line to imply the opportunities which are becoming available and that the worst has probably passed. So a dose of positivism is recommended. Negativism will simply paralyse you from the opportunities which are there but am afraid to reach out. I do not just mean this for the financial investments but rather the good relationships which can be built and cultivated.
See you all at the next blog.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
The bailout of Corporate America -or is it?
The financial markets continue their downtrend. And there isn't much light at the end of the tunnel that can be seen. The US $700 billion package has been passed. Every one of the lawmakers, Democrat or Republican alike, shake hands, high fives and hugs. "Well done", "We've done it". And now we wait for the healing to begin.
This bailout is not the panacea for all ills. The package will come with many conditions. The higher good: the welfare and well being of the American people. And during an election year, these are the rhethoric that will sway and win votes. Noble and good these intentions are. But as always, the devil is in the details, the implementation.
Safeguarding bank deposits, creating jobs, no further governmental deficit spending, protecting homes are phrases that we will hear and read a lot about in the next weeks to months. And why not? People are voters and during election, politicians need the people's votes.
Does this mean that weak banks will be shored up and prevented from failures? Does this mean that institutions which practised imprudence or even mismanagment will be saved? Does this mean that "Fat Cats" who perpetrated the complex network and created the environment for failure, will get away with their Fat pay checks and exit packages?Does this mean that tax payers money will be used to "reward" the wrong doers who put the financial security of tax payers in harm's way?
These are the questions which the American people will need to answer for themselves or get answers, before and as they cast their votes this November. And then after the election, the next question: will the election promises be kept? Kept away or make happen?
The developments which are happening in the USA provide many useful lessons for people like you and I, who do not reside there. I will blog some of these in the weeks to come and look forward to seeing you then.
This bailout is not the panacea for all ills. The package will come with many conditions. The higher good: the welfare and well being of the American people. And during an election year, these are the rhethoric that will sway and win votes. Noble and good these intentions are. But as always, the devil is in the details, the implementation.
Safeguarding bank deposits, creating jobs, no further governmental deficit spending, protecting homes are phrases that we will hear and read a lot about in the next weeks to months. And why not? People are voters and during election, politicians need the people's votes.
Does this mean that weak banks will be shored up and prevented from failures? Does this mean that institutions which practised imprudence or even mismanagment will be saved? Does this mean that "Fat Cats" who perpetrated the complex network and created the environment for failure, will get away with their Fat pay checks and exit packages?Does this mean that tax payers money will be used to "reward" the wrong doers who put the financial security of tax payers in harm's way?
These are the questions which the American people will need to answer for themselves or get answers, before and as they cast their votes this November. And then after the election, the next question: will the election promises be kept? Kept away or make happen?
The developments which are happening in the USA provide many useful lessons for people like you and I, who do not reside there. I will blog some of these in the weeks to come and look forward to seeing you then.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Financial Markets Woes 2008
First Bear Stearns, then Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Now Lehman Brothers and AIG. Questions surround other big names e.g Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley.
The speed at which these developments occur has seldom been seen before. The named losses and the dollar amounts needed to bail these organisations out have just too many zeroes for the mind to comprehend.
We have just survived one of the worst week in financial history, well at least in my 27 odd years of working life in the finance industry. Strangely though, there is no feeling of pessimism or panic. My investments have taken a tailspin and paper losses mount with each point the markets fall. The rallies that came on Thursday and Friday console but not quite enough to make up the losses.
The question of "is this it or is there more to come?" A general consensus amongst financial experts is that there is more pain yet to be unleashed. They based this diagnostic on the de-levering of asset prices, the need for besieged institutions to sell assets to stay afloat or to use the still valuable assets to attract white knights. But this is the question for the big boys. What about you and I?
What must be on the minds of most (well certainly in mind):
a. look for a rally to sell and minimise losses
b. look for a rally strong enough to take me back to my breakeven, sell there and breather a sigh of relief.
c. look to buy into these crashed/crashing markets.
It's the last point that I would like to discuss a little more. This is not the time for panic selling. The concept strategy for Investments 101 is simply "Buy Low and Sell High". This is the time to put that strategy to the test. This is the time to find bargains and buy.
When markets plummet and prices of stocks fall, invariably they will fall below their worth. This is the result of overdone selling and brings these assets and securities into what is known as oversold conditions. This status can continue for a while as contrarians test the strength of the selling. There will come a tipping point at which, the number of buyers will begin a more courageous attempt to hold the selling. When sellers see this happening and realise that perhaps they could get more by holding back on their selling while the buyers take stocks up, then the pace of decline slows and may even turn around.
I do not know when the tipping point will be reached. However, I have begun to look around and see some markets offering hope. This is a good time to look for your TRUSTED financial advisor to help build or rebuild your investment portfolios.
My personal choices are in stocks of business lines which touch me e.g. food, utilities, transportation. Go round your home or office and look for the brands which continue to hold quality for you. It is likely that others who are like you will have the same perceptions. Start here.
The speed at which these developments occur has seldom been seen before. The named losses and the dollar amounts needed to bail these organisations out have just too many zeroes for the mind to comprehend.
We have just survived one of the worst week in financial history, well at least in my 27 odd years of working life in the finance industry. Strangely though, there is no feeling of pessimism or panic. My investments have taken a tailspin and paper losses mount with each point the markets fall. The rallies that came on Thursday and Friday console but not quite enough to make up the losses.
The question of "is this it or is there more to come?" A general consensus amongst financial experts is that there is more pain yet to be unleashed. They based this diagnostic on the de-levering of asset prices, the need for besieged institutions to sell assets to stay afloat or to use the still valuable assets to attract white knights. But this is the question for the big boys. What about you and I?
What must be on the minds of most (well certainly in mind):
a. look for a rally to sell and minimise losses
b. look for a rally strong enough to take me back to my breakeven, sell there and breather a sigh of relief.
c. look to buy into these crashed/crashing markets.
It's the last point that I would like to discuss a little more. This is not the time for panic selling. The concept strategy for Investments 101 is simply "Buy Low and Sell High". This is the time to put that strategy to the test. This is the time to find bargains and buy.
When markets plummet and prices of stocks fall, invariably they will fall below their worth. This is the result of overdone selling and brings these assets and securities into what is known as oversold conditions. This status can continue for a while as contrarians test the strength of the selling. There will come a tipping point at which, the number of buyers will begin a more courageous attempt to hold the selling. When sellers see this happening and realise that perhaps they could get more by holding back on their selling while the buyers take stocks up, then the pace of decline slows and may even turn around.
I do not know when the tipping point will be reached. However, I have begun to look around and see some markets offering hope. This is a good time to look for your TRUSTED financial advisor to help build or rebuild your investment portfolios.
My personal choices are in stocks of business lines which touch me e.g. food, utilities, transportation. Go round your home or office and look for the brands which continue to hold quality for you. It is likely that others who are like you will have the same perceptions. Start here.
Friday, August 15, 2008
The Practice of Loving
If you have never experienced love, are you able to say "I Love You?"
To your spouse, to your children and yes even to yourself?
But what exactly is an experience of love? What is love?
Going through a marriage preparation course, some 24 years ago, I was captured by this definition of love : Love is a Decision.
The experts went to explain that Love was not a feeling. Many other Love was Not included:
a. feeling good when thinking of someone you like
b. the intensity of affections between people who are "in love"
c. Love food, music, clothes
One common mistake we all make, to confuse love and like. Like is a feeling. Before you next say " I Love......." check whether replacing Like for Love would change the meaning intent of your comment e.g I like Nasi Lemak, Josh Groban's singing, Porsche. The first rule of thumb : we Like things, we don't Love them. If you need a stronger emphasis, then say I very much Like.....
However, Love is a decision. It means no matter what I will Love you (friends, spouse, children and self). There is an unconditional requirement about Love. Hence the requirement that you would need to make a conscious and deliberate choice about someone - is a good assessment whether it is indeed Love or Like.
In the marriage vows, we promise to love and cherish,our spouse, in good times and bad, in sickness and in health,in richness and in poor. for better or for worse, all days of my life, till death do us part. These are just other ways of saying "no matter what", its about unconditionality and its definitely about having to make a choice, a decision. There is a permanence about that decision. Its not subject to whimsical choices, moods, days of the week, times of the year.
Imagine marriage vows saying: we promise to love and cherish, in good times, in health, in richness and for the better. Otherwise I do not so vow. What good marriage can be founded on such qualifying conditions. Would you then say "I do or I will" if your spouse at the altar would not agree to the unconditionality and permanence of the Love vow. And that is what those vows mean- Loving you no matter what.
My personal thoughts are that if one is clear on the definition and distinction between Love and like, our lives would be less confused. We would make better rational choices in speech and deed.
The next blog will discuss how we can practice experiencing love in our life. Its such an important thing to do.
Write me if you would like to chat.
To your spouse, to your children and yes even to yourself?
But what exactly is an experience of love? What is love?
Going through a marriage preparation course, some 24 years ago, I was captured by this definition of love : Love is a Decision.
The experts went to explain that Love was not a feeling. Many other Love was Not included:
a. feeling good when thinking of someone you like
b. the intensity of affections between people who are "in love"
c. Love food, music, clothes
One common mistake we all make, to confuse love and like. Like is a feeling. Before you next say " I Love......." check whether replacing Like for Love would change the meaning intent of your comment e.g I like Nasi Lemak, Josh Groban's singing, Porsche. The first rule of thumb : we Like things, we don't Love them. If you need a stronger emphasis, then say I very much Like.....
However, Love is a decision. It means no matter what I will Love you (friends, spouse, children and self). There is an unconditional requirement about Love. Hence the requirement that you would need to make a conscious and deliberate choice about someone - is a good assessment whether it is indeed Love or Like.
In the marriage vows, we promise to love and cherish,our spouse, in good times and bad, in sickness and in health,in richness and in poor. for better or for worse, all days of my life, till death do us part. These are just other ways of saying "no matter what", its about unconditionality and its definitely about having to make a choice, a decision. There is a permanence about that decision. Its not subject to whimsical choices, moods, days of the week, times of the year.
Imagine marriage vows saying: we promise to love and cherish, in good times, in health, in richness and for the better. Otherwise I do not so vow. What good marriage can be founded on such qualifying conditions. Would you then say "I do or I will" if your spouse at the altar would not agree to the unconditionality and permanence of the Love vow. And that is what those vows mean- Loving you no matter what.
My personal thoughts are that if one is clear on the definition and distinction between Love and like, our lives would be less confused. We would make better rational choices in speech and deed.
The next blog will discuss how we can practice experiencing love in our life. Its such an important thing to do.
Write me if you would like to chat.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Retirement Planning
In Singapore the official inflation rate is 7.5 % p.a. With your bank deposit earning 1 % or less, your networth is eroded at a rate of 6.5 % p.a. Essentially, what this means is that in about 11 years, if nothing else happens, your networth or savings will be halved in value. Certainly, for those of you in my age group, ie above 50 years of age, you are facing a retirement time when your purchasing power and the value of your savings would be declining. The higher the inflation rate the faster the value of your savings will be eroded.
What options do we have to mitigate the rot?
Ask a financial planner today, and he/she will be challenged to offer you solutions which would be effective. At best, recommendations to invest would be resorted to. However, in the investment climate, we are moving towards a period of low certainty of returns and high volatilities for loss. Ask the financial planner, for returns greater than the inflation rate of 7.5 % p.a. and he/she probably cannot come up with a "feel good and sleep good" solution.
Let's look at what you CAN do. Energy and food ranks high in the contribution to inflationary costs. And the solution to slow the rate of value erosion lies here, somewhat.
In today's blog, I offer you 2 common lifestyle choices which you can exercise some power over.
If you own a car, then high oil prices will impact you. And each time you go to the pump kiosks, you can feel the pain of this. So the less frequent you need to go get a refill, the less frequent this feeling of pain. Other alternative modes of transportation will get you to your destinations, I am sure:
a. MRT
b. Buses
c. Taxis- although the fares and ERP charges would impact you nearly as much as driving your own car. However, you do not need to worry about car maintenance and depreciation costs. And so I have added this mode as a viable option.
d. motor cycle
e. bicycle
f. walk
g. various combinations of the above.
In short, what I want to convey is there are ample alternatives to cut down the impact of oil prices on the value of your hard earned savings.
On the home front, keep an eye on the use of electricity. The hidden spenders are to be found in the
a. refrigerators
b. air conditioners
c. TV
d. fish ponds and pumps
e. washing machines and dryers
f. water heaters
g. iron
h. hair dryers
i. ovens
These are heavy users of electricity and the more you have them and put them to use each day, you are spending more and you can see this in your power bill. Electricity in Singapore is affected directly by oil prices and it should come as no surprise to you, that with the rising oil prices, your electricity bill has also gone up. Perhaps, seeing the bill once a month, the hit is not as obvious. Track this on a month on month and realise.
What I am saying is that we do have some control over how much we use oil dependent vehicles and appliances. And thus, directly control how much oil price driven inflation affects you.
The other high costs relate to commodity prices including food e.g. rice, wheat, meat and vegetables. The difference between eating out and eating in (ie home cooked meals)is getting higher. That is because, the vendor is able to pass on the increased food costs to you the customer. In these type of cost plus pricing, be sure that the profit markups are there and you do pay more than the increased rate of food price rises. However, eating-in more often, reduces the impact and this period is as good as any to do more home-cooking and eating ie at Mother's or Father's.
Today's blog seeks to have you review your lifestyle and know what is eating up your wages. Saving for tomorrow becomes more difficult as more of your pay goes towards paying more for the things which you are accustomed to having. Rather than giving up, be empowered to do more.
It would be nice to hear from you, on your ideas on how better to win this fight.
What options do we have to mitigate the rot?
Ask a financial planner today, and he/she will be challenged to offer you solutions which would be effective. At best, recommendations to invest would be resorted to. However, in the investment climate, we are moving towards a period of low certainty of returns and high volatilities for loss. Ask the financial planner, for returns greater than the inflation rate of 7.5 % p.a. and he/she probably cannot come up with a "feel good and sleep good" solution.
Let's look at what you CAN do. Energy and food ranks high in the contribution to inflationary costs. And the solution to slow the rate of value erosion lies here, somewhat.
In today's blog, I offer you 2 common lifestyle choices which you can exercise some power over.
If you own a car, then high oil prices will impact you. And each time you go to the pump kiosks, you can feel the pain of this. So the less frequent you need to go get a refill, the less frequent this feeling of pain. Other alternative modes of transportation will get you to your destinations, I am sure:
a. MRT
b. Buses
c. Taxis- although the fares and ERP charges would impact you nearly as much as driving your own car. However, you do not need to worry about car maintenance and depreciation costs. And so I have added this mode as a viable option.
d. motor cycle
e. bicycle
f. walk
g. various combinations of the above.
In short, what I want to convey is there are ample alternatives to cut down the impact of oil prices on the value of your hard earned savings.
On the home front, keep an eye on the use of electricity. The hidden spenders are to be found in the
a. refrigerators
b. air conditioners
c. TV
d. fish ponds and pumps
e. washing machines and dryers
f. water heaters
g. iron
h. hair dryers
i. ovens
These are heavy users of electricity and the more you have them and put them to use each day, you are spending more and you can see this in your power bill. Electricity in Singapore is affected directly by oil prices and it should come as no surprise to you, that with the rising oil prices, your electricity bill has also gone up. Perhaps, seeing the bill once a month, the hit is not as obvious. Track this on a month on month and realise.
What I am saying is that we do have some control over how much we use oil dependent vehicles and appliances. And thus, directly control how much oil price driven inflation affects you.
The other high costs relate to commodity prices including food e.g. rice, wheat, meat and vegetables. The difference between eating out and eating in (ie home cooked meals)is getting higher. That is because, the vendor is able to pass on the increased food costs to you the customer. In these type of cost plus pricing, be sure that the profit markups are there and you do pay more than the increased rate of food price rises. However, eating-in more often, reduces the impact and this period is as good as any to do more home-cooking and eating ie at Mother's or Father's.
Today's blog seeks to have you review your lifestyle and know what is eating up your wages. Saving for tomorrow becomes more difficult as more of your pay goes towards paying more for the things which you are accustomed to having. Rather than giving up, be empowered to do more.
It would be nice to hear from you, on your ideas on how better to win this fight.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Christian Meditation - A Prayer of the Heart.
Have you heard of the World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM)?
Why not Google it then to learn more?
I first came across meditation some 20 years ago. This was when Fr Laurence Freeman, a Benedictine monk, was visiting Singapore and gave an introductory talk at the Holy Family Church.
Today, WCCM has a Singapore chapter and will find practitioners in over 21 parishes!
What is meditation and what is Christian Meditation?
The Advanced Oxford dictionary defines meditation as:
1. the practice of thinking deeply in silence, especially for religious reasons or in order to make your mind calm.
2. serious thoughts on a particular subject that somebody writes down or speaks.
I prefer this one : Meditation is the process by which one goes about stilling of the mind and body. It means coming to the middle (medi or mid) of one's self. Meditation consists of 2 simultaneous processess which are paying attention and letting go. At first read, it would seem like an oxymoron. How does one pay attention and let go at the same time. And yet that is what is required, to pay attention to the one thing and to let go of one's attachement to the arising thoughts. If there be an objective, it is this: to cut free of the mind.
When your time of earth is done, the mind which is your ego, personal beliefs, history and identity will come to an end in death. What survives then? Its the Consciousness in which we are. Contrary to popular belief, we are not what we think. Because we are not our mind. And our mind is not separate from the body, although we think it. Although we think it, it does not make it so.
The confusion which arises from the statements is deliberate and intended for you to come to the stillness of mind and body and to cut free of the mind. An analogy : Stand a glass full of murky muddy water and in time the sediment and the water separate.
In Christian Meditation we say a few quick ideas:
a. meditation is prayer
b. prayer is communion with God
c. the God who resides in the heart and center of each of us is the Spirit
d. and the Spirit,prays unceasingly
e. and the Spirit of God is Love because God is Love.
f. and the meditation is a prayer of the Heart not the mind.
The various groups who do meditate in and around Singapore, practise the Sitting Meditation.It begins as a discipline,to practise balance, attention and detachment. To focus on the one thing that matters, the NOW, the present moment.
The technique is simple enough to learn in 5- 10 minutes and the cautionary disclaimer, a lifetime to master. And yet that is what we seek, eventually to meditate in our every action in our daily life e.g. walking, eating, sitting and yes even thinking.
1. Sit still.
Comfortably and aware of your body and the environment that it is in.
This begins the process of stilling the body.
2. Say a mantra.
A mantra is a prayer word. The mind is often likened to a forest of jumping monkeys and is difficult to still. To want to do so requires the mind to pay attention to one thing.
This paying attention to the one thing focusses the mind. Another analogy : the watch repair man, holding the time piece in one hand or grip, and the other hand with a tool. He is sitting as still as he could be, yet relaxed and yet working. The mantra is that tool to help you stay attentive to the task at hand. And the task at hand is all about being still, now in both mind and body, as you become increasingly more aware of the present moment.
The recommended mantra is one which is easy to repeat and does not lend itself to imagination and distracting thoughts. In the John Main tradition, we recommend MARANATHA. (John Main is the founder of WCCM). The word is Aramaic and the language of Jesus Christ. It is a four syllable word and lends itself to splitting it into Ma-Ra-Na-Tha, which we could time with our breathing e.g. Ma-Ra on the intake and Na-Tha on the out-take. A little practice will help you find your own rhythm.
We ask that you say this mantra in a loving manner and faithfully. Surrender to the internal listening of the saying of this word. We ask you to say the mantra for the entire duration of your meditation. And when you catch yourself no longer saying the mantra, to simply pick it up again and continue.
3. Meditate twice a day for about 20-30 minutes.
The recommendation to do this at dawn (beginning of the day) and dusk (beginning of the night. To bring you into the awareness of the period of the day. To remind you of the presence of the Living God, in you, and in the present moment.
These 3 steps are all that is required for this journey, which I hope you will begin with me today.
What makes Meditation Christian?
A simple question requires a simple answer, your Christian faith.
Write me if you would like to know more.
Why not Google it then to learn more?
I first came across meditation some 20 years ago. This was when Fr Laurence Freeman, a Benedictine monk, was visiting Singapore and gave an introductory talk at the Holy Family Church.
Today, WCCM has a Singapore chapter and will find practitioners in over 21 parishes!
What is meditation and what is Christian Meditation?
The Advanced Oxford dictionary defines meditation as:
1. the practice of thinking deeply in silence, especially for religious reasons or in order to make your mind calm.
2. serious thoughts on a particular subject that somebody writes down or speaks.
I prefer this one : Meditation is the process by which one goes about stilling of the mind and body. It means coming to the middle (medi or mid) of one's self. Meditation consists of 2 simultaneous processess which are paying attention and letting go. At first read, it would seem like an oxymoron. How does one pay attention and let go at the same time. And yet that is what is required, to pay attention to the one thing and to let go of one's attachement to the arising thoughts. If there be an objective, it is this: to cut free of the mind.
When your time of earth is done, the mind which is your ego, personal beliefs, history and identity will come to an end in death. What survives then? Its the Consciousness in which we are. Contrary to popular belief, we are not what we think. Because we are not our mind. And our mind is not separate from the body, although we think it. Although we think it, it does not make it so.
The confusion which arises from the statements is deliberate and intended for you to come to the stillness of mind and body and to cut free of the mind. An analogy : Stand a glass full of murky muddy water and in time the sediment and the water separate.
In Christian Meditation we say a few quick ideas:
a. meditation is prayer
b. prayer is communion with God
c. the God who resides in the heart and center of each of us is the Spirit
d. and the Spirit,prays unceasingly
e. and the Spirit of God is Love because God is Love.
f. and the meditation is a prayer of the Heart not the mind.
The various groups who do meditate in and around Singapore, practise the Sitting Meditation.It begins as a discipline,to practise balance, attention and detachment. To focus on the one thing that matters, the NOW, the present moment.
The technique is simple enough to learn in 5- 10 minutes and the cautionary disclaimer, a lifetime to master. And yet that is what we seek, eventually to meditate in our every action in our daily life e.g. walking, eating, sitting and yes even thinking.
1. Sit still.
Comfortably and aware of your body and the environment that it is in.
This begins the process of stilling the body.
2. Say a mantra.
A mantra is a prayer word. The mind is often likened to a forest of jumping monkeys and is difficult to still. To want to do so requires the mind to pay attention to one thing.
This paying attention to the one thing focusses the mind. Another analogy : the watch repair man, holding the time piece in one hand or grip, and the other hand with a tool. He is sitting as still as he could be, yet relaxed and yet working. The mantra is that tool to help you stay attentive to the task at hand. And the task at hand is all about being still, now in both mind and body, as you become increasingly more aware of the present moment.
The recommended mantra is one which is easy to repeat and does not lend itself to imagination and distracting thoughts. In the John Main tradition, we recommend MARANATHA. (John Main is the founder of WCCM). The word is Aramaic and the language of Jesus Christ. It is a four syllable word and lends itself to splitting it into Ma-Ra-Na-Tha, which we could time with our breathing e.g. Ma-Ra on the intake and Na-Tha on the out-take. A little practice will help you find your own rhythm.
We ask that you say this mantra in a loving manner and faithfully. Surrender to the internal listening of the saying of this word. We ask you to say the mantra for the entire duration of your meditation. And when you catch yourself no longer saying the mantra, to simply pick it up again and continue.
3. Meditate twice a day for about 20-30 minutes.
The recommendation to do this at dawn (beginning of the day) and dusk (beginning of the night. To bring you into the awareness of the period of the day. To remind you of the presence of the Living God, in you, and in the present moment.
These 3 steps are all that is required for this journey, which I hope you will begin with me today.
What makes Meditation Christian?
A simple question requires a simple answer, your Christian faith.
Write me if you would like to know more.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Singapore's ERP - a sense of Helplessness!
With oil prices now soaring to new highs of USD 145 per barrel and no indication of a reversal anytime soon, car ownership and transportation costs, become issues to be given serious time for re-evaluation.
Then comes the decision by the government, to increase the number of ERP gantries and also to increase the rates for passing through these. Tonight, many Singapore motorists must be having some of these questions on their minds as they prepare to begin a new week.
It is always a good base to start from facts. And the Sunday Times of 13th July 2008, provides plenty:
1. 65 ERP gantries
2. 16 more ERP gantries by Sept 2008
3. Each costs a S$ 1.5 mio to build
4. annual revenues of S$ 70 mio
A quick check with LTA website would advise that at the end of December 2007, there were 870,441 vehicles of various types on the road. If we just pooled cars (505,987), taxis (24,446), goods vehicles (150,979) we have 681,412 vehicles on the road. So S$ 70 mio divided by 52 weeks and 5 days per week, we get a $269,230.76 revenues per day collected by the 65 gantries and if we further divide that amount by the number of vehicles ie 681,412, then on average, $0.40 cents is collected per vehicle per day. This is less than the $0.50 minimum chargeable rate.
The number does not look right.
From the Sunday Times, a recent survey would advise:
1. 71 % of polled motorists would not change their route
2. 87 % goes through 1 or 2 ERP per day
3. 85% pays less than $5 per day
So unless there are many vehicles which do not pass through ERP gantries when they are in operation, the average looks underestimated. Perhaps the revenue of S$ 70 mio is understated instead. Looking forward to the LTA to provide more information before these numbers can be reconciled.
Unless you are one of the lucky few who only pays $0.40 cents on average per day, you may have to consider adjustments to your current lifestyle.
To discover the Hero in You what is it that you CAN do to mitigate the higher costs of driving in Singapore:
1. Grin and Bear it or
2. Avoid the ERP operational hours or avoid the higher tariffs times
3. Consider car pooling to share costs
4. Consider giving up car ownership and take the Taxis
5. There is always the alternative of the Bus or the MRT when Taxis become expensive
Don't waste precious emotional energies to fight the events that we have no control over e.g. ERP gantries and payable tariffs or rising oil prices.
Indeed there are positives to consider as well:
1. cost savings to be had and therefore available for other expenditure e.g. an extra holiday treat, more eatouts, a gift for a loved one etc..
2. a change of scene - a different route - a different time of travel could offer a different perspective from routine. Change how you look at the world, and you change the world.Sometimes, this is an advocated stress therapy. It could work for you too.
3. do your part to lower the CO2 footprint - a better world citizen.
Lesson take-away :
A. Do What you Can not what you Cannot
B. Look at the Positives
Then comes the decision by the government, to increase the number of ERP gantries and also to increase the rates for passing through these. Tonight, many Singapore motorists must be having some of these questions on their minds as they prepare to begin a new week.
It is always a good base to start from facts. And the Sunday Times of 13th July 2008, provides plenty:
1. 65 ERP gantries
2. 16 more ERP gantries by Sept 2008
3. Each costs a S$ 1.5 mio to build
4. annual revenues of S$ 70 mio
A quick check with LTA website would advise that at the end of December 2007, there were 870,441 vehicles of various types on the road. If we just pooled cars (505,987), taxis (24,446), goods vehicles (150,979) we have 681,412 vehicles on the road. So S$ 70 mio divided by 52 weeks and 5 days per week, we get a $269,230.76 revenues per day collected by the 65 gantries and if we further divide that amount by the number of vehicles ie 681,412, then on average, $0.40 cents is collected per vehicle per day. This is less than the $0.50 minimum chargeable rate.
The number does not look right.
From the Sunday Times, a recent survey would advise:
1. 71 % of polled motorists would not change their route
2. 87 % goes through 1 or 2 ERP per day
3. 85% pays less than $5 per day
So unless there are many vehicles which do not pass through ERP gantries when they are in operation, the average looks underestimated. Perhaps the revenue of S$ 70 mio is understated instead. Looking forward to the LTA to provide more information before these numbers can be reconciled.
Unless you are one of the lucky few who only pays $0.40 cents on average per day, you may have to consider adjustments to your current lifestyle.
To discover the Hero in You what is it that you CAN do to mitigate the higher costs of driving in Singapore:
1. Grin and Bear it or
2. Avoid the ERP operational hours or avoid the higher tariffs times
3. Consider car pooling to share costs
4. Consider giving up car ownership and take the Taxis
5. There is always the alternative of the Bus or the MRT when Taxis become expensive
Don't waste precious emotional energies to fight the events that we have no control over e.g. ERP gantries and payable tariffs or rising oil prices.
Indeed there are positives to consider as well:
1. cost savings to be had and therefore available for other expenditure e.g. an extra holiday treat, more eatouts, a gift for a loved one etc..
2. a change of scene - a different route - a different time of travel could offer a different perspective from routine. Change how you look at the world, and you change the world.Sometimes, this is an advocated stress therapy. It could work for you too.
3. do your part to lower the CO2 footprint - a better world citizen.
Lesson take-away :
A. Do What you Can not what you Cannot
B. Look at the Positives
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Stress Management
No one is without stress. Yet some are able to manage better than another in the same situation. What is their formula? What is yours?
Also not all stress is bad. Consider the athlete who trains for health and fitness and who works out regularly. There is a higher positive objective to seek and they recognise the need to put in effort because the objective is a worthwhile one. Its likely to be a need(s) satisfier(s). These needs according to William Glasser would fall into the following:
1. Biological - Survival
2. Psychological - Love and Belonging
3. Psychological - Power or Self Esteem
4. Psychological - Fun
5. Psychological - Freedom
Typically, stress can come from so many sources:
a. the work or effort in the workplace, school, office, factory etc.
b.people e.g. friends, colleagues and family
Typically the stress that is associated with negative energy involves activity which does not fulfill a want or satisfy a need. So it goes against our desires and our intentions and the analogy is like one swimming against the current, going against the flow. To do so requires extra effort and extra effort means stress.
And Stress has to be managed.
How one manages stress?:
1. Mitigation - to look for ways to lessen the stress source.
2. Adaptation - changing the way of doing things
Lets use health and fitness training as a case study.
The objective is to participate in a triathlon.
And what is the end in mind: to complete a triathlon event swimming 3.8 km, cycle 180km and run 42 km sometime in the latter half of 2009.
1. Mitigation
Each one of us can take a level of stress. This is unique to your person i.e. what is my level is not the same as for you. Mine may be higher or lower than yours. Management is deciding what level that you can handle at this time.
And so we begin with a specific aim e.g to begin with a 5km run, 2 km swim and 10km cycle if that is what you can handle. You may give yourself improvement targets to beat but important here is " to build" not "to hurt". To do this over a longer period of time if you require a longer lead time to get to where you want.
Rule : to do what you can manage.
2. Adaptation
Refers to finding different ways to doing these activities. One could do this either on the road or in a controlled environment of a gym. To build the same muscles but with different apparatus e.g. a static cycle, a treadmill, playing water polo. Using other ways to develop and achieve the same end results of strength and stamina. These alternative may prove to be more fun too and breaks the monotony of routine.
Rule : there are alternatives that one can apply.
There is a key word in Stress Management. It is the word "CAN".
Really, we can only DO WHAT YOU CAN AND NOT WHAT YOU CANNOT. At first read, it sounds very logical and yet there are so many of us who do not so do. Why? Simply because they CHOSE NOT TO.
Are you choosing to stress and choosing not to do anything about it?
What about you?
Also not all stress is bad. Consider the athlete who trains for health and fitness and who works out regularly. There is a higher positive objective to seek and they recognise the need to put in effort because the objective is a worthwhile one. Its likely to be a need(s) satisfier(s). These needs according to William Glasser would fall into the following:
1. Biological - Survival
2. Psychological - Love and Belonging
3. Psychological - Power or Self Esteem
4. Psychological - Fun
5. Psychological - Freedom
Typically, stress can come from so many sources:
a. the work or effort in the workplace, school, office, factory etc.
b.people e.g. friends, colleagues and family
Typically the stress that is associated with negative energy involves activity which does not fulfill a want or satisfy a need. So it goes against our desires and our intentions and the analogy is like one swimming against the current, going against the flow. To do so requires extra effort and extra effort means stress.
And Stress has to be managed.
How one manages stress?:
1. Mitigation - to look for ways to lessen the stress source.
2. Adaptation - changing the way of doing things
Lets use health and fitness training as a case study.
The objective is to participate in a triathlon.
And what is the end in mind: to complete a triathlon event swimming 3.8 km, cycle 180km and run 42 km sometime in the latter half of 2009.
1. Mitigation
Each one of us can take a level of stress. This is unique to your person i.e. what is my level is not the same as for you. Mine may be higher or lower than yours. Management is deciding what level that you can handle at this time.
And so we begin with a specific aim e.g to begin with a 5km run, 2 km swim and 10km cycle if that is what you can handle. You may give yourself improvement targets to beat but important here is " to build" not "to hurt". To do this over a longer period of time if you require a longer lead time to get to where you want.
Rule : to do what you can manage.
2. Adaptation
Refers to finding different ways to doing these activities. One could do this either on the road or in a controlled environment of a gym. To build the same muscles but with different apparatus e.g. a static cycle, a treadmill, playing water polo. Using other ways to develop and achieve the same end results of strength and stamina. These alternative may prove to be more fun too and breaks the monotony of routine.
Rule : there are alternatives that one can apply.
There is a key word in Stress Management. It is the word "CAN".
Really, we can only DO WHAT YOU CAN AND NOT WHAT YOU CANNOT. At first read, it sounds very logical and yet there are so many of us who do not so do. Why? Simply because they CHOSE NOT TO.
Are you choosing to stress and choosing not to do anything about it?
What about you?
Positive Psychology
There simply isn't another way to view life.
How do you explain to yourself, the events which happens to you especially when the event is a problem or a disadvantaged situation? Do you catch yourself saying something like this?
"Why do bad things always happen to me? I feel so stupid. I never learn. The whole world is set against me."
In Martin Seligman's book "Learned Optimism", you too, will discover the above sentences could be be characterised as being:
a. permanent - always, never
b. pervasive - always happen, whole world
c. personal - to me, I.... against me.
The way forward then becomes immediately obvious. Change the way you explain matters to yourself guarding against the words which would convey a permanent, pervasive and personal negative message.
For example, I would do differently :
a. be specific - it is this one matter and not all matters
b. avoid the use of these words: always, never
c. be nice to yourself, its easier than you think
You can do this too. In fact, you can CHOOSE to do this right now.
Then just watch how the world then becomes a better place, simply because you have changed the way you would look at it. Look at how problems seem easier to solve, simply because you are looking at it differently, more objectively, not self blaming, not self judging.
All behaviours are chosen. In another sense, I could say, it is up to you to choose being positive and you could choose to be negative. You could reply, its absurd that one would choose to be negative, miserable and unhappy. The unfortunate truth is simply there for you to see.
ALL our Behaviours ARE Chosen.
Choose Rightly !
How do you explain to yourself, the events which happens to you especially when the event is a problem or a disadvantaged situation? Do you catch yourself saying something like this?
"Why do bad things always happen to me? I feel so stupid. I never learn. The whole world is set against me."
In Martin Seligman's book "Learned Optimism", you too, will discover the above sentences could be be characterised as being:
a. permanent - always, never
b. pervasive - always happen, whole world
c. personal - to me, I.... against me.
The way forward then becomes immediately obvious. Change the way you explain matters to yourself guarding against the words which would convey a permanent, pervasive and personal negative message.
For example, I would do differently :
a. be specific - it is this one matter and not all matters
b. avoid the use of these words: always, never
c. be nice to yourself, its easier than you think
You can do this too. In fact, you can CHOOSE to do this right now.
Then just watch how the world then becomes a better place, simply because you have changed the way you would look at it. Look at how problems seem easier to solve, simply because you are looking at it differently, more objectively, not self blaming, not self judging.
All behaviours are chosen. In another sense, I could say, it is up to you to choose being positive and you could choose to be negative. You could reply, its absurd that one would choose to be negative, miserable and unhappy. The unfortunate truth is simply there for you to see.
ALL our Behaviours ARE Chosen.
Choose Rightly !
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Relationship is Everything
It has been said by many psychiatrists and psychologists that many a problem faced in life concerns a problem relationship.
A problem relationship with your father or your mother or your teacher, if unresolved carries over into adult life. And this could mean having difficulties forming new relationships with significant others e.g. friends and loved ones. A good thing to remember here is that what has happened in the past, one cannot undo. However, we can decide to choose what to do today, from this very moment on.
Look into your own life and write down what are significant relationships you have today. Do an evaluation into these. An assessment could take the following framework:
a. what do I really Want from the relationship?
b. what am I Doing to get what I want from this relationship?
c. how Effective are my actions in getting what I want from this relationship?
d. what will I Plan to do differently to achieve a higher level of effectiveness from this relationship?
This is WDEP assessment.And has applications in all that we do, at home and in the workplace. The focus begins on your evaluation of the importance of the relationship and what that means to you personally.
A problem relationship with your father or your mother or your teacher, if unresolved carries over into adult life. And this could mean having difficulties forming new relationships with significant others e.g. friends and loved ones. A good thing to remember here is that what has happened in the past, one cannot undo. However, we can decide to choose what to do today, from this very moment on.
Look into your own life and write down what are significant relationships you have today. Do an evaluation into these. An assessment could take the following framework:
a. what do I really Want from the relationship?
b. what am I Doing to get what I want from this relationship?
c. how Effective are my actions in getting what I want from this relationship?
d. what will I Plan to do differently to achieve a higher level of effectiveness from this relationship?
This is WDEP assessment.And has applications in all that we do, at home and in the workplace. The focus begins on your evaluation of the importance of the relationship and what that means to you personally.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Choice Theory is for Everyone
Choice Theory was founded by Dr William Glasser.
I was first introduced to it sometime in 2003/2004 and have completed certification in Choice Theory / Reality Therapy. What is this? Simply a counselling method to help the individual make effective choices and thus leading towards self-empowerment.
The two key words and phrases are:
a. making effective choices
b. self-empowerment.
An immediate disclaimer : I do not profess to be a counselor and to become one is not my aspiration in life. However, if you would like to use me as a soundboard or an agony aunt, you are welcome to do so.
We are often presented with opportunities where a word of encouragement or a directional suggestion, can help steer a troubled soul towards an oasis of new resource and strangely enough, this is to be found within.
We begin with certain parameters of thought:
1. Our behaviours are chosen.
2. Our behaviours are our perceived best ways of dealing with a particular situation.
3. We view the world through our Values and Knowledge filters.
4. We have Quality World pictures in our perceptions.
5. Quality World pictures satisfy our basic needs and there are 5 of them. Survival, Love and Belonging, Power/Esteem, Fun and Freedom.
6. Our Behaviours seek to satisfy what we want. And what we want is to satisfy one or more of these named needs.
7. Our Behaviour is an integration of 4 components - Physiologing, Feeling, Thinking and Acting.
Should you wish to find out more about this framework of thought - google William Glasser Institute.
I was first introduced to it sometime in 2003/2004 and have completed certification in Choice Theory / Reality Therapy. What is this? Simply a counselling method to help the individual make effective choices and thus leading towards self-empowerment.
The two key words and phrases are:
a. making effective choices
b. self-empowerment.
An immediate disclaimer : I do not profess to be a counselor and to become one is not my aspiration in life. However, if you would like to use me as a soundboard or an agony aunt, you are welcome to do so.
We are often presented with opportunities where a word of encouragement or a directional suggestion, can help steer a troubled soul towards an oasis of new resource and strangely enough, this is to be found within.
We begin with certain parameters of thought:
1. Our behaviours are chosen.
2. Our behaviours are our perceived best ways of dealing with a particular situation.
3. We view the world through our Values and Knowledge filters.
4. We have Quality World pictures in our perceptions.
5. Quality World pictures satisfy our basic needs and there are 5 of them. Survival, Love and Belonging, Power/Esteem, Fun and Freedom.
6. Our Behaviours seek to satisfy what we want. And what we want is to satisfy one or more of these named needs.
7. Our Behaviour is an integration of 4 components - Physiologing, Feeling, Thinking and Acting.
Should you wish to find out more about this framework of thought - google William Glasser Institute.
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