I was talking to Boon yesterday about Karma. Many people have mistaken that Karma is some Buddhist or Hindu concept. It is a logical concept of what goes around comes around; you reap what you sow.
 
Therefore, based on this concept, doing good is not about NOT doing bad towards another. Although doing “good” is extremely important, it is as “Good begets Good” and “Bad begets Bad”.
 
Let’s look at this concept in terms of your bank account. Let’s say you have $1,000,000 and you are prudent (which is good) with your spending and not simply wasting it (which is bad). However, you do not have any inflow of revenue. Do you think you will stay wealthy for the rest of your life? For those who have children, would they benefit anything from your wealth? I guess the answer is that $1,000,000 may not be sufficient for the rest of your life, looking at the rate of inflation today.
 
You’ll need revenue or that inflow so that you can continue to enjoy the “good”. Got it?
 
Life is not just about not doing bad but it is all about collecting merits and hence your spiritual bank account will always increase. You’ll live a fruitful life and the afterlife, whatever that means for you.
 
The following are part of collecting your merits:
1. Right Thinking and Right Livelihood
2. Right Focus and Concentration
3. Cultivating positive Values and Habits
4. Rendering Kind Acts to self and others
5. Be Mindful of your negative thoughts
6. Awareness to correct your wrong doings (even how trivial it may be)
 
Joy and Happiness comes from within, not from others. When someone or something brings you joy and happiness, consider it a bonus.
 
Happy Wednesday

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Two Mondays ago, I planned for a quiet and early night because I had arranged for a photography shoot early next morning at 7:30am. In the evening however, one of my favourite graduates called and he sounded really down and out. I knew I needed to spend some time with him and thought that perhaps 2 to 3 hours should be enough so I could get home early and have my beauty sleep.
 
We went to a quiet restaurant and he poured out his sorrows (I have known him for more than 4 years and I have never seen him this bad). He was extremely emotional as we talked and I guided him on how to move forward, of course.
 
It was past 11:00pm and I felt I could not let him leave just yet and therefore invited him to my home where we continued talking until 2:30am. Needless to say, I had to cancel my photography shoot as I knew I would not be able to get up at 5:30 in the morning and look good in front of the camera.
 
I believe the talk helped him as now and then during the week, I followed through with him and came up with solutions for him. I am glad that as of this past Monday, everything seems to have cleared up and he is in a good space now.
 
So, why did I do what I did, especially cancelling my planned photography shoot which was important for my professional portfolio and spending the time and effort with him?
 
I believe and have believed all my life that, “a friend in need is a friend indeed”. Friends are not the fair-weathered ones but are those who are with you when you are at your lowest. The joy in life, is when I can do something valuable for someone when the person needs it most and see the person come out of his or her misery.
 
Be the person that you can count on for your true friends, family members and loved ones. Please be mindful what goes around comes around.
 
Finally, “Good begets Good” and “Bad begets Bad”.
 
Happy Wednesday

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I bought a new set of chairs for my training center, 30 of them altogether. When the guys came to deliver the chairs, they were a little shocked to realise that it was on the 3rd level and not on the 2nd and hence I guess, whole lot more effort. They were unhappy and discussing amongst themselves that their office did not inform them, otherwise they would have brought 1 or 2 more men to help out.
 
I then interjected and presented a solution with my helper and me helping them to carry the chairs with the least effort by placing each person at each flight landing and therefore there was no need to have 1 person carry the chairs up 3 storeys. The guys were touched with gratitude because we chipped in to help them out. This is what I mean; I usually focus on the solution and not discuss about the problem.
 
The job was done in the shortest possible time. More than that, while looking at my 10 Happy Principles, I realised I was practising the 2nd Happy Principle, “For Today, I extend my kindness to All” to which I subconsciously carried out.
 
Extending kindness to someone comes to me effortlessly because I think for another. For today, with anyone and everyone you encounter, see what you can do for another, a little more. This will make you very happy.
 
Happy Wednesday from a very Happy Nancy

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Last Thursday, I overstretched myself in Yoga class and pulled my thigh muscle. That caused me to limp as the pain on my thigh and hip acted up whenever I moved. I still went about my usual activity except I laid off from yoga and any other exercises.
 
While I was busy with my daily activities including organising a BBQ birthday party for my dearest friend, John and Sharon with his two lovely sons, the pain was constantly bugging me. I may not have shown it on my face but the pain was disturbing, especially when I am an active person.
 
What kept me going was not putting my mind into the pain rather, I focused on solutions to get rid of the discomfort. Finally, after working through a few solutions, I am as good as new. I went for two yoga sessions this morning and I’m absolutely recharged and energised with a toned body… LOL.
 
Moral of the story:
 
Many people seem to be stuck into a pain or sickness and it gets more serious as times goes by. In fact, many never get out of it. The reason is they focused on the “pain” and hence reinforcing the negative. Be mindful on your focus and you are in control of your life.
 
Happy Nancy

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Have you had any experience that when meeting someone initially, you had a positive experience and impression. However after a while, it was as if “the fox revealed its tail” or you realised that it was the proverbial “wolf disguised in sheep skin”.
 
I have these kind of experiences over and over again. In fact, it just happened a few days ago.
 
Whenever such incidents happen, I reflect upon it and I will question myself, “Is it me just being fussy and particular or is it a fact that these people are like that?” I check with people who knows me well. Everyone says that it’s them and not me.
 
The point I’m making is that clarity is important so that I will not lose my values and principles of the “Being” that I am. This brings to mind, two “Happy Principles”:
 
5th Happy Principle – For Today, I cultivate positive values and
10th Happy Principle – For Today, I do the things I want with Genuine Enthusiasm.
 
Happy Practice – Happy Wednesday

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I gave a talk to nearly 200 people in the financial sector yesterday. The topic was about Managing Mindset in today’s changing landscape.
 
I started by asking them to think about 3 changes in our lives that happen on a daily basis (you think about it too). And your answers are…?
 
The Weather, Mood or Emotions of your close ones, law and policies and the list goes on…
 
Therefore, the only thing that remains constant is change. Embrace change instead of reacting to it; respond and see the opportunity to do things differently or in a better way.
 
I welcome changes. In fact, I get bored if I have to do things the same way all the time. I intentionally change things in my house. I never stick to a script in my training or in my video recording. I love to challenge myself by looking for new environment or circumstances.
 
Make some changes today
Happy Nancy

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How do we know that we have made improvement and progress in our lives?
 
Answer:  When I do not react towards the person or situation.
 
I do not mean, being passive… or just simply keeping quiet or silent.
 
I used to get worked up when a person behaved in a way that was not acceptable or unreasonable and I had to make it right. I do not do that anymore. Now, I have the clarity to just stop there and I can see the problem clearly even when the person can’t see. Perhaps, I have cultivated and practised tolerance and hence there is no longer a need to react.
 
This does not only frees my mental struggle, it allows me to stay focused on what is important and relevant. I apply it especially to the people who are close to me and it has made me happier and more joyful within myself. After all, what is there to be right or wrong? It’s “one man’s meat and another man’s poison”.
 
Happy Wednesday

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Stress is not a fashion statement nor a fad. Therefore, do take it seriously.
 
I have seen so many cases of people so stressed out that it affects them from being breathless to involuntary movements and to all kinds of health ailments. When they go to the doctor, the medical check will show no issues with their organs or bodily functions.
 
Stress does not kill but stress can affect our organs and bodily functions including the digestive system, immune system, reproductive system, etc. With these malfunctions, the body will slowly but surely breakdown and that can kill over time. It may not get us when we are still young but as we age… Look at the elderly, so many die from illness.
 
I don’t want to sound so negative or morbid. Please take this as a precaution and take good care of yourself.
 
I hear you say, “…but life is not always a bed of roses”. I know that too and personally, there were pockets of time or moments where certain people or situations can give me stress but I have already managed and I still manage my life like clockwork.
 
Solutions — I take stock by being mindful of what it is that eats into me and I set to resolve it, either by physical solutions with some steps forward or mentally make decisions on the issues. It is not always easy but it is not impossible.
 
I do not want to grow old sick or die of some illness. I want to be joyful and happy till the end of my time.
 
Every action today contributes to the future. Therefore, positive action begets positive consequence, negative action begets negative consequence.
 
Happy Deciding! Happy Wednesday!

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Those who have been following my blog would know about my great relationship with my eldest sister. Last Saturday, she came over to my place to spend the evening with me as an early birthday celebration. We had loads of sake and champagne As the night progressed and as usual, we talked about life. She said that the one great value of mine is that I have ‘du liang’ in Chinese and she applauded me for it.
 
Initially, it took me some time to understand the meaning of ‘du liang’ and then I got it. I felt it was the most wonderful present that I have ever received in my entire life. In any case, I thought I would love to share it in this posting today and hence got my lovely Yip Sin (someone I can count on to get things done fast and effectively, she is godsend) in the office to get the English definition.
 
The meaning of ‘du liang’ means magnanimity which is defined as:
 ?
1. generous in forgiving an insult or injury – free from petty resentfulness or vindictiveness: to be magnanimous toward one’s enemies.
2. high-minded – noble: a just and magnanimous ruler.
3. proceeding from or revealing generosity or nobility of mind, character, etc.: a magnanimous gesture of forgiveness.
 
The reason that I was touched because I strongly believe that one needs values and/or philosophy to live one’s life. I cultivate these values and coming from a close family member it is a compliment. To this, I say “I have lived” and really “live”.
 
I’m sure my late father is smiling at me, proud of her little girl.
 
Dad, thank you for this opportunity to live on this mother earth and watching over me.
 
Happy Cultivation. Happy Family

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Do you know what is real “Joy” and “Happiness”? For me, it’s about putting on that ear to ear grin and laughter.
 
I was working on a young 20-year old lady with a serious cerebral palsy condition which she had since 4 months old. When I worked on her, I did not know the severity of her condition. She had never walked and could not speak, although she is clear minded and can express herself through limited body language.
 
After 3 sessions with her, she could lift her neck and kind of sit up with a strong back and the pain had been reduced from 3 painkillers a day, down to one. I got wind that she idolised a Hongkong actor/singer and brought the poster to her. Her joy was the most heartfelt one that I have ever experienced.
 

 
Go touch the life of another even in whatever small way, you’ll realise what love means
 
Happy Wednesday

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