Modern and miserable

...slaves we have become in today's society. According to Wikipedia, slavery is “a form of forced labour in which people are considered to be the property of others”.

If you observe the people around us and listen to them...many of them often talk about work, career, latest add-ons (gadget, luxury goods...) to their lives, latest entertainment, etc. They are working hard, often on the look out and moving on to supposedly greener pastures. Life is a series of upgrading in their lifestyle. Do they enjoy working? Do they get satisfaction from their jobs?

The brutal truth is that we make changes to ourselves and to our lives for the objects we desire to own. To illustrate: because I want to own a property, therefore, I need to find a better-paying job to help me reach my goal. When I do finally achieve, I'd feel a great sense of achievement and satisfaction because I earn it. It's my reward. BUT am I willing to overlook the long hours, and frustration (and possibly greater debts to finance the lifestyle)? Perhaps I am...and for sure, I have my next goal lined up waiting for me.

It's a vicious cycle. What frustrates me is that we are aware of it and we continue to let ourselves adapt to these changes. We should learn to say "No"...and NOT let greed overtake us.

2009: A Psychological Ride

2007 was an eventful year for me. 2008 was "I was lost but found"...and last year was a psychological one. In 2009, I attempted and did a lot of things - business, health, relationship as well as my mindset towards certain aspects in life. It wasn't a highly emotional ride although at times, the frequency and intensity of emotions was really testing its limit in me. Sometimes I felt like I mellowed a lot, sometimes I felt I had become more selfish, and sometimes I felt I had to compromise a lot in life...last year, it was a lot about myself.

The assuring thought in my mind is that my goal in life is still the same...and the experience just simply reinforce the beliefs in me. The approach that I intend to take on this year would be different. Hence once again, I am stepping into the zone of uncertainty. All I am certain of right now is that I am with my loved ones again, and they will be with me as always.

Balance is a Process

One year or so ago in a cafe, Bak Chew, XT and I had this conversation about striking a balance in our lives. All of us had our different opinions...I can't remember the exact details but somehow we came to a conclusion that balance need not always have to be a 50-50 thing. It can be a 60-40 or even a 30-70 kind of balance, as long as the person is comfortable with it. Balance in that context is a destination or a goal that we seek to achieve.

Last night, I was listening to a phone interview between T. Harv Eker and Keith Cunningham and they talked about balance too. Balance, according to them, is a PROCESS. A process we all go through, juggling our various roles and responsibilities, and prioritising them in our lives. More important, there is no such thing as being PERFECT. In other words, no perfect balance; nothing's perfect in this world. Period.

All this while, I thought it would be nice to have balance in life and it's something that I am trying to move towards to. Suddenly, balance is no longer a "state" to arrive at...but rather, it's a "state of being" I am always at. No point in pursuing balance when life itself is already a balancing act!

Mum's the word

Weeks ago, I was in my shop's kitchen working with my mum. It was a Sunday and there were only 2 of us. Whenever the kitchen is short-staffed, extra hours are put in. It's the same situation again and so we worked. In a matter-of-factly manner which we are both alike (or I resemble my mum).

Suddenly, it dawned upon me that my mum has been my very good kitchen partner for the past one year. Recounting the number of times we worked together, it has always been this routine: first list down the tasks, split the workload, and then we go off to accomplish what we need to. No squabbling, no complaining...simply focus and do. At work, we are partners.

Interestingly, that's not the case if we were in our home kitchen...well (& not surprising), she often has her final say. If I intend to prepare or cook anything, my recipe needs approval from her, making sure that the kitchen is not messed up, condiments/sauces and other ingredients or cookery not to be misplaced. At home, she's the boss.

I think I am going to miss that partnership at my shop's kitchen because I seriously enjoy cooking with my mum more at work than at home! Perhaps the dynamics may change in the coming new year...hmm... :)

(This picture reminds me of her...after the mad hours of kitchen work, she likes to sit down with a good cup of cappuccino )

Frame of mind

This very much sums it up for me.

"Outliers are those who have been given opportunities -- and who have had the strength and presence of mind to seize them." Malcolm Gladwell

Whether or not I agree with how the author defines the success of outliers...to me, the latter part of the above statement is the key. Even if the opportunity presents itself to me or I am the one who create the opportunity, the question is can I handle it? Do I have the strength and presence of mind to grasp and use it?

Resurrected!

Yeah, I'm back (:

Falling Slowly

After a LONG hiatus...here's something to share

[From Once OST]

I don't know you
But I want you
All the more for that
Words fall through me
And always fool me
And I can't react
And games that never amount
To more than they're meant
Will play themselves out

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice
You've made it now

Falling slowly, eyes that know me
And I can't go back
Moods that take me and erase me
And I'm painted black
You have suffered enough
And warred with yourself
It's time that you won

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you had a choice
You've made it now

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you had a choice
You've made it now
Falling slowly sing your melody
I'll sing along