Going into Ordinary Times

Posted at 9:20 PM, Jun. 14, 2009 in Thoughts

Some months ago I made a suggestion to my coaching clients about how religious calendars may help guide and uplift us throughout the year. 

As they were christians we used the christian calendar as an example.

With our spirits charged up at the Feast of Pentecost (WhitSunday) now behind us, June 2009 ushers in what the Christian calendar refers to as "ordinary times


To me the period of ordinary times leading up to Thanksgiving and the new season of Advent is one dedicated to Plan Execution. All bugs and uncertainties would have been ironed out at this stage and its all systems go for the next 5-6 months. 

We wish everyone who follow this calendar, happy execution and we look forward to sharing your success stories at Thanksgiving.

Thoughts on Ascension Day 2009

Posted at 8:59 PM, May. 22, 2009

Ascension Day was on 21st May and the Feast of Pentecost (WhitSunday) 10 days later. 

 

Early in 2009, I made a suggestion to people I coached about how religious calendars to help guide and uplift them throughout the year.  For christians, the christain calendar is particulary rich with events that can mark various phases of our business life.

 

Ascension Day marks the last appearance of Jesus to the disciples after his resurrection at Easter. To me the period leading up to Ascension is one for dedicated team building .  Christ dedicated time to seriously build his disciples during this period. Pentecost comes just 10 days after Ascension

 

Pentecost according to the Bible marks the coming of the Holy Spirit in the form of flames to the followers of Jesus as he promised them. Charged with the Holy Spirit the disciples were able to perform miraculous and wondrous deeds to accomplish the mission of Christ on earth. 

 

Don't we all hope to have a team like that too?

An Economy based on Hope

Posted at 8:52 PM, May. 22, 2009

The May 18th edition of Minyanville featured an provoking  article by John Mauldin raising questions about the analysis and statistics that are published about the current economic situation...and suggest that perhaps we are running on a "Faith-Based Economy"  

 

And why not.  We believe that today's economy is not upheld by the big greedy institutions but by the positive spirit of the people we meet daily, the small businesses and even those who are struggling to establish their home businesses after losing their jobs which they have held for the longest time. They all know that they can only half believe what their politicians tell them,  but are determined to make a better life for themselves and their families. It is this positive spirit and faith that keeps us hopeful, and the economy going. 

 

An SEO friend down in Perth, Australia asked, "Hey what Recovery signs are you looking for?  We have never done so well before! 

This thought is extracted from Hopeful Al's Weekly Blurb, a weekly I write that  strives each week to bring you the "silver linings" ....thoughts. ideas, news and occasionally rumors that will help enlighten our lives and uplift our spirits..

 

If you are facebook, join our Recession Watch.  Stay Optimistic, Informed  and make sure you do not lose opportunities through uninformed pessimism.

Happy New Year: Tips from the Stars

Posted at 1:47 AM, Jan. 1, 2009 in Thoughts

HAPPY NEW YEAR. 

As the Rat gives ways to the Ox (according to the Lunar Calendar) we hope you  will seize every opportunity to succeed.  With the current state of the economy this opportunistic attitude may be vital for maintaining your standard of life.

WHAT'S IN STORE ACCORDING TO THE STARS

The 2009 calendar I just bought had these uncanny words of wisdom (translated from chinese)... I wonder if they were doctored for the foreboding times.

 

About the Zodiac Nature of the Ox
Hardworking and sophisticated and care not so much for successes and returns. Life can be easier with realistic targets and not too stubborn and traditional.

 

Prospects for the Year?
A new year with a new scenario that brings hope  and goodwill. Reputation and wealth are so close but unreachable since it is a year that needs to be patient, hardworking, friendly to others, and to be determined.  Have a steady year with your love one even though your love life will be quite plain.

GIFTS TO HELP YOU FOCUS ON THE CONTROLLABLES

Smart Goals, a focus of change,  and keeping customers happy will help you through good times or bad.  

 

Here are some free ebooks/reports for you.  These are not the greatest books/reports written on these 3 subjects...I guess most of us have
read many....So these are JUST TIMELY REMINDERS.

http://one1.com.sg/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=499&Itemid=99

TIPS ON SMARTENING YOUR GOALS

Most individuals and businesses have "pretty dumb goals even though they have read and discussed the principles of SMART GOAL umpteen
times".  You may review an  article on smart goal setting  and the deadly misconceptions people have at 

http://one1.com.sg/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=500&Itemid=39

INTERNET AND DIGITAL MARKETING WILL CONTINUE TO LEAD THE PACE OF CHANGE

We don't think we need any fortune teller to tell us this. To keep abreast and to exploit these new trends, do subscribe this Lazy Al's Weekly at

http://www.webtrafficjuggernaut.com/vlt/links/51298

 

STAY POSITIVE, KEEP SMILING

 

That's the most improtant of all.  Have faith, confidence and hope no matter how bleak things are..and that silver lining will will appear.  I know..I 've seen it many times.

Thoughts during Advent

Posted at 8:46 AM, Dec. 12, 2008 in Thoughts

It is Christmas soon and time to reexamine our faith. 

Not Just our faith in God...but how we make use of this wonderful grace which God has given us.
 
When I first came into the direct marketing business, my boss asked me at my interview whether I was a christian.

He said "you'll need the "faith and ability to believe."   Looking back,  this was certainly wisdom.

As a marketer in today's world of multiple solutions and choices,  one has to believe that the solution we are providing is the best, and faith (even if its back by scientific evidence) that it will do better for our customers.

We have often seen how faith and belief within a Closely Knit Group, like praryer and faith healing groups,  can create miracles.

Is this Not Just a confidence Game? 

Yes it is...we need confidence to succeed...to keep on pursuing our paths to success without giving up along the way. 

This is different from the game of confidence-tricking.  Confidence tricking is when we build confidence and belief in someone else whilst we ourselves do
not believe, know for sure it doesn't work or even worse may be harmful.

As we approach Christmas, we should probably re-examine whether in our business practices, interpersonal transaction.  Are we are building faith, belief and confidence or are merely a confidence trickster.

In this world where the attitude is "Give the consumer what he Wants", "Tell them what they want to hear", and  "Whats in it for me"....its really quite hard to do right... even if we know what that means.

President Obama has made history by being the first non-white elected American President. With this senate seat selling affair, let's hope he does not also make histry as the first to be impeached before he makes office.

Remembering a good Thanksgiving Story

Posted at 7:30 PM, Nov. 27, 2008 in Thoughts

Thanksgiving is not a great celebration out here in Asia..except amongst the American community.

I am certainly looking forward to "Turkey Buns and Cranberry Sauce" at the friend's annual party.

Each Thanksgiving I recall his late mum's wise words, when years back, as a teenager I asked why she served turkey buns instead of the whole turkey like on Christmas Day.
She replied,

"I grew up in a farm community where Thanksgiving was a meaningful but frugal
celebration.

Thankgiving was a time look back and thank God for not surprising us with foul weather,
floods, locusts ...and if he did, it was a time to cherish the little that he left for us, and the
opportunity to make the next year a better year"

Over the years I have learned to cherish those buns and remember her words...and am so pleased
that my friend married someone who chose to continue that great tradition.

(Excerpt from the Lazy Al Weekly November 27, Volume 43/08)

Why portray Buddhists as being violent?

Posted at 8:51 PM, Apr. 12, 2008

The Christian and Western media seem bent on portraying other religions as being violent and uncouth.  First it was the Muslims and now the Tibetan Buddhists.  Nothing excites the media more than then hordes of monks demonstrating, burning cars or burning themselves in public.

 

In actual fact, people will be people......a certain percentage regardless of their race, creed and religion will be prone to violence. Religious leaders like the Dalai Lama often do not realise that when they approach the Western Press for support that they are being made use of by the media "hawks" to stir disquient, conflicts and violence between people especially those of different  races and religions.

Wisest Words this whole god damned recession

Posted at 11:26 PM, Mar. 18, 2008

"There's no doubt that the American people know that the economy has turned down sharply. So to me much less important is the label that's placed on it today. Much more important is what we do about it,"  - Henry Paulson, US Secretary of Treasury, MBC Show, 17th Mar 2008. 

 

Full text can be found at http://biz.yahoo.com/rb/080318/usa_economy_paulson.html

A 2008 Watchlist

Posted at 6:13 PM, Feb. 6, 2008

The US Elections, Microsofts's bid for Yahoo, Growing concerns about business ethics and what's right for the world are leading issues in my 2008 Watchlist.  Read more about this on my website

Being Sinners or Saved

Posted at 10:51 AM, Aug. 6, 2007 in Questions

Yesterday at church, the catholic priest made a comment, "Don't be Catholic"...to which he added"  ie come to church just twice a year, Christmas and Easter".

 

A couple of weeks back I was invited to a christain service, where the pastor's message was "Look at us, We have been Saved, Join Us!".

 

On reflection, it makes me realised how Catholics, at least those in Singapore tend to be more self critical, sometimes to the point of even being cynical.  It makes also me realise that there are two types of christains in the world...one that believe themselves to be sinners..the other group the SAVED....or at least they would proclaim so loudly. Hopefully they do share the same God!

 

I am not one to judge. ...I have known many in the SAVED group going forward loudly to convert others in the name of CHRIST.  Certainly this must be God Motivated.... yet it is so hard not to think of them as the Pharisees that Jesus Christ had so much isues with.   

 

I wonder how others feel about this. Hope to hear your views.

 

More references about the Pharisees may be found at the following sites:

 

Who were the Pharisees

Jewish Encyclopedia

Pro-Life...a paradox

Posted at 3:02 PM, Aug. 2, 2007 in Questions

Not so long ago I blogged about my happiness when my 81 year old mum agreed to proceed with her kidney dialysis treatment despite the preponderant difficulties she knew she had to bear in her condition of health. It was a clear and courageous choice for life. However that was not to be.  Further medical examination revealed that the insertion of a tube for the purpose of dialysis, a usually simple procedure,  may in her case be a complicated exercise requiring general anesthesia.  Given her heart condition, GA could actually be life threatening.

 

Her choice for life was suddenly complicated by a ironical situation that to prolonged her life she has to risk her life.  Advice came from many sources.  Many said , "Why risk one's life now to prolong it when you know that life hereafter with long term dialysis would be burdensome."  Other argued that "Life is not ours to choose, why not go on the operating table an submit to God's will".

 

What could I say except..."I'll support you whatever is your choice for I am sure it's also God's choice"

 

 

 

 

Live Earth- A concert about our climate in Crisis

Posted at 2:08 AM, Jul. 8, 2007 in Thoughts

7/7/07. is I understand a rare day.  777 couples got married in Singapore today.... obviously some commercialisation was at work.  Must money and profts always get involve in everything?
 
As I write this Blog in Singapore , Live Earth Shows to highlight the world's climate crisis, will have been staged in Sydney, Shanghai, Tokyo, Hamburg, Johannesburg moving across the world to Rio de Janeiro, London and New York.  While I certainly congratulate the organizers and many supporters for their efforts"¦the world certainly needs the education.....looking at some of the high energy events many of which lavish in the use of energy, one wonder if the whole effort has not gone a tad commercial"¦with more emphasis TV and advertising sponsorships, tickets sales than climate change itself.

It was quite ironical to see one of the bands wearing a T-shirt, "Say No to Nuclear Energy". If we are going to use energy the way the events are held and publicized then, what choice do we have?

I note that some of the events were held in daylight hours"¦great idea for energy saving"¦but much more should have been done to show the world how this critical message may be communicated in a climate friendly way, with the minimal use of scarce energy resources. This I realize is easier said than done. I must admit that I really cannot think of an idea that is more effective. In Bangkok, it was reported in the press that the Governor led a parade of bikes, calling people to go back to biking. Anyone who knows Bangkok knows that whilst this could be good PR for the day, it is hardly practical.

It leads me to worry that we world citizens may have lost the capability to act or do things, carry on our lives without the lavish use of energy.

I hope this posting would attract comments with ideas about how the awareness of the seriousness of  climate change can be brought to the citizens of the world in a more sustainable manner.

Elusive Happiness

Posted at 2:44 AM, Jul. 6, 2007 in Thoughts

I came across some passages about happiness in , Joseph O'connor & Andrea Lages, "Coaching with NLP" Elements 2004, which I thought is worth sharing.  The authors observed the following:

1. Happiness is not a prescription you can go and have filled by a happiness chemist. It is not something you possess, its something you are.

2. There are reserach to show that two-thirds of people do not know how to be happy.

3. Happiness is achieved through the small things, the series of little decisions each of whihc makes us happier

4. People that pursue happiness can never be happy. They have put happiness ahead of them...and it will stay tantalizingly out of reach.

These statements are I confessed somewhat perplexing for me. Can we really be a a state of happiness without pursuing it. We see huge number of people today attending coching session, semianrs, chruch retreats all with the intention to learning how to be happy.  Is this wrong? 

I certainly would appreciate some comments.

Heaven in many places

Posted at 8:34 PM, Jun. 9, 2007 in Musings

Christains seek heaven as their last repose...yet few really have a idea of what it is.  We will be with God, with Chirst, with all the saintys (if your are a catholic like me...  ) There are passages in the Bible that paints a materialistic and hedonistic picture of streets paved with gold and honey.

While like all people I yearn for this place of everlasting happiness....sometimes I think I do get to have little peeps at it right here on earth.  Today, is a particularly good day where I experienced three heavenly moments.

Story 1.  My 91 year old dad just discharged from hospital, having been admitted for a fall has been feeling a little despondent the past couple of days.  He finally felt that age was catching up and that maybe should leave his early morning exercise group.. where he had always proudly announced,  he was the oldest member.  Realising that it is hard to talk old people around once their minds move in a particular direction, I was grasping with ways to refute his negative thoughts.  At lunch today, the owner of the eatery came up to us quite unexpectedly and asked how old I and my dad were, When he heard he was 91, he  expressed surprise...." I see you coming here quite often on your own, you walk well and have a good appetite.... I thought you couldn't have been more than 75"

On hearing this,  My dad's sentiment changed immediately.... "Yes he said happily, most people won't think I am 91"  The intervention by the eatery owner was god sent.

Story 2  I have been having a fairly sever4 shoulder ache the last couple of days from lagging around my rather heavy Dell laptop. Boarding the train, I spotted an empty seat, but as I approached, the lady next to it decided to place her shopping bag on it. Next to her was a teenage girl...all teenager...spiky dyed hair, jeans, MP3 in one hand, plugs glued to her ears, a McCafe coffee cup in the other hand and a couple of college files grabbed under her armpits. She must have seen me staring at the lady hoping that she would remove her bags..she quite miraculously stood up  with all her stuff to offer me her seat.  I waved her down and said it was OK...but she said, "I insist".
Incidents like this are made in heaven. It makes me feel good about the young people of today..irregardless of their dressing and appearance. It gives me confidence that the world will certainly become a better place.

Story 3   Whilst waiting for a friend at a Long John Silver, I spotted a group a young people gestulating animately in an ethusiastic conversation.  From the distance I could make out that they were discussing about where to go after the meal. It is the great Singapore Sales and they were all seemingly excited.  As they left one of them pointed excitedly at the table...apparently there was some coke left in one of the cups. Anoterh kid skipped in and picked up the cup and naughtily rang the bell that adorned the entrance of most Long John Silvers in Singapore.   I was truly facinated and touched that these deaf and dumb kids could behave so typically like any teenage groups.  It was to me another picture made in heaven.

Responsible Media...negative effects on children

Posted at 10:59 AM, May. 23, 2007 in Thoughts

Most people are aware and agree that media has harmful effects on children. Many believe that it also has an overabundance of positive contributions and that we should learn to take the good together with the bad. By and large most of us do not beleive we can do much about this situation...its up to the big media boys, the industry and authorities.

Pope Benedict in his address on the the 4lst World Communication day, "Children and the Media: A Challenge for Education"  places this responsibility squarely on ordinary citizens, audiences and parents in addition to the media industry.

Today many parent believe that they can isolate their children whilst they themselves engage in pleasures of adult entertainment.  With children becoming "early but untrained thinkers"�, it is hardly probable that they would accept being told. "Do what I say, ¦dont do what I do"¦or you can do whatever I do when you are as old as me!"�"¦.or "go up to your room now, mum and dad want to watch an adult movie."�

It is a given that children \will want to do things that adults do. As they are naturally curious they will find out what these are no matter how we try to segregate or hide them. The only solution hence lies in the willingness of parents and adults to give up the relentless search for pleasure and new experience, and to see their freedom of choice as being unrelated to such pursuits. It is only by doing so that they can gain the right to counsel and develop the conscience of their children to express sound and objective judgments which will then guide them in choosing or rejecting programmes available.

In this respect the Pope's message has this to say...

Attitudes towards freedom must be reconfigured. Often freedom is presented as a relentless search for pleasure or new experiences. "Yet this is a condemnation not a liberation! True freedom could never condemn the individual - especially a child - to an insatiable quest for novelty. Authentic freedom is experienced as a definitive response to Gods "˜yes to humanity, calling us to choose, not indiscriminately but deliberately, all that is good, true and beautiful"�

More discussion on this topic may be found on my website