A squirrel stole my sunflowers. I’ve been plotting my next move ever since. Encase the next bloom in wire mesh? Line the top of the nearby fence in sticky tape? Or better yet, a bed of thumbtacks? At the beginning of the summer, my neighbor gave me a few sunflower starts. Now I understand why she plants them out in the front of her house … Continue reading Creative Response
Nowadays, it’s easy to find ourselves running away from the present moment. We often resist what is happening right now, yearning for a different reality, that aligns more closely with our desires and expectations. This aversion to the present and the constant resistance to our current circumstances can lead to immense suffering. But what if the key to a more peaceful and fulfilling life lies … Continue reading Embrace the Present to Alleviate Suffering
Why dwelling on the past? It’s natural to cherish fond memories and learn from past experiences, but clinging to the weight of the past can hinder your present happiness. Many of us carry the baggage of past mistakes, heartbreaks, and disappointments, draining our energy and robbing us of the joy of living in the moment. I once read that happiness is not just about a … Continue reading The Power of Letting Go: Finding Happiness in the Present
Our past is about a complex pattern of memories, both delightful and challenging. While cherished moments and valuable lessons contribute to our identity, holding onto the weight of past burdens can hinder our happiness. In this blog post, I explore the transformative impact of letting go of the past and embracing the present moment. Many individuals find themselves trapped in the clutches of bygone days, … Continue reading Unlocking Freedom: A Small Guide to Letting Go of Your Past
So, two things have happened to me recently. Believe it or not, it’s been a year since I boldly decided to leave my former employer in Hong Kong and divert to Singapore. Since then, I haven’t tried to make much happen. Instead, I’ve taken the time to concentrate on reforming my inner world. Still, I’ve kept my ear close to the ground on the off … Continue reading The Best Option You Can Take
Step into the world of Qi Gong, an age-old practice that traces its roots back to the rich world of ancient China, where it first blossomed some 5000 years ago. This holistic discipline has been profoundly shaped by an interweaving of philosophical strands, including the profound wisdom of Taoism, the transformative teachings of Buddhism, and the ethical principles of Confucianism. Initially flourishing within the realm … Continue reading Explore the Ancient Origins of Qi Gong: A Journey Back in Time
If you are losing your leisure, look out! –It may be you are losing your soul Virginia Woolf In modern society, work has come to dominate almost all aspects of our lives. One’s identity becomes subsumed by their job title. Days become filled with endless tasks and checklists. Ever increasing productivity seems to be our guiding principle. In a highly competitive global economy, efficiency trumps … Continue reading Rethinking Leisure in the Age of Total Work
There is an aphorism by Jean Paul Sartre that values the healthy aspect of loneliness: “If you are sad when you are alone, you are probably in bad company”. There is nothing more truthful than this statement. If you cannot enjoy being with yourself, how could you cultivate broader relationships that involve other personalities, different visions of the world and thoughts? Loneliness is a connection … Continue reading Can Loneliness Be a Resource?
In To Have or to Be? the sociologist Erich Fromm argues that there are two distinct modes of existence. These are unique ways in which we relate to others and the world around us. Having The first is the ‘having mode.’ This is characterized by an attitude of acquiring or possessing things. It is when an individual defines themselves by what they have or own, … Continue reading Erich Fromm on Having Versus Being
“War would end if the dead could return.” — Stanley Baldwin. Just imagine you wake up the following morning to the sound of bombs exploding and artillery firing. The enemy has invaded. You didn’t think it would ever happen, but there you are. Suddenly you’ve been thrown back into the 1940s. Now, what do you do? Do you gather your most prized belongings and flee? Or do … Continue reading Must We Not Fight for Peace?
I have two images of wealth in my mind. One looks like what most people envision. A lavish lifestyle, a big plastic mansion, a luxury yacht, 8 sports cars… You get it. Then there is this second image. In this picture, there is a place called home. It’s quaint, rustic. Filled with messy, silly, somewhat annoying children. There are a lot of friends and family nearby. … Continue reading The Two Paths to Wealth
We don’t always end up where we intended in life. Sometimes, we are made to divert long before reaching our final destination. Other times we may complete the journey only to find the airport is closed on arrival, forcing us to divert at the last moment. Whether it’s some kind of emergency or our own health that forces us to come back to earth, the … Continue reading Diversion
Please note this is a partnered post and may contain affiliate links. Maintaining great mental health in the modern day is becoming more and more difficult. There are so many things that can cause extreme stress and anxiety, and it’s far too easy to get swept into the tide of chaos and confusion. Thankfully, it’s more than possible to escape the mental anguish in order … Continue reading Maintaining The Best Mental Health: A Simple Guide
DISCLAIMER: I’m not a medical healthcare professional. Please read our disclaimers page here) With the obvious exception for those who have legitimate medical reasons, I believe that making vaccinations mandatory for COVID-19, in the current climate, can be ethically justified. Now, to be clear, there’s a difference between mandatory vaccinations – where certain penalties are levied on you for not complying – versus compulsory vaccinations … Continue reading Should Vaccinations Be Mandatory?
Why would you let go of the past? You have for sure nice memories, and lessons learned, which shape your personality. But letting go of the burden of the past would be important to your happiness. At least some of it. Many people live in the past; they remember their behaviours, the love stories that did not go well, their failures and disappointments. Such a … Continue reading Let Go of the Past
A couple of weeks ago, just past midnight on July 5th, I took off out of Hong Kong, flew across the Pacific Ocean, crossed the International date line and arrived in Los Angeles at 10pm on July 4th. There are few approaches during my ten year career I can think as memorable as that one. It was like descending into a war zone. Thousands upon … Continue reading Homesick
“The function all expressions of contempt have in common is the defence against unwanted feelings.” – Alice Miller I read something the other day that got the alarm bells ringing. It was a book called The Drama of the Gifted Child by Alice Miller. In a nut shell Miller argues that our childhood experience – specifically how we learnt to hide our own feelings, needs, … Continue reading How To Save Democracy
As the dust settles on the US election my feeling is not jubilation. I’m not happy that 70 million people still find Trump an acceptable leader. I’m not happy that a man whose flagrant disregard for the safety of his fellow Americans has cost hundreds of thousands their lives. I’m not happy that in death, the Trump campaign still has the audacity to attack the … Continue reading The Shameless Nature Of Pride
“The principle of freedom must be our first commitment, for without this no one is immune against the virus of aggrandizement – the impulse to grab power, wealth, position, or reputation at the expense of others.” – HERBERT DOUGLASS – SOURCE:THE COST OF FREEDOM True freedom is a commitment to experiencing the very real limitations of our choices. We will always have to live with some sort of, … Continue reading Why Freedom Demands Responsibility
I’m a bit of a sentimental old fool. I love knickknacks and postcards and photos from years past. They’re relics of a fleeting moment; they make up the personal museum of my life. So, sometimes it can be hard to just let. things. go. You know? And while this is certainly true of our physical possessions, (Do I really need all seven tee shirts from … Continue reading SnapDragon Speaks: On Letting Go.
