Monday, January 30, 2017

Book Review #01 - The life-changing magic of Tidying by Marie Kondo

It is an interesting book for me, at least I considered myself a mediocre hoarder.

For years, I think, I cant let of certain items in my room because of sentimental value and also because of the years the items are with me. Sort of feelings attached to them. I was thinking if I should let go of them.

People around me told me to be more ruthless and just throw. I simply couldnt let go of the feelings.

A colleague introduced me to Marie Kondo's book, saying it is truly inspirational.

With a skeptic's eye, I started reading the books. Mind you, this is not the first book on decluttering and I was never convinced by them.

This book was partial auto-biographical and partial knowledge sharing. The main message I had after reading the book was to remove the contents in the half-filled cup in order to contain more.

It employs goal-setting technique right from the start - set a goal on the ideal room or state of the accommodation.

It details the problems I faced when I tried to declutter. The pains, the uncertainties and some unknown emotions that I dont know how to describe which in the book was describe as gratitude.

There are 3 main lessons that I have learnt from the book:

1) Every item has a role to play.
When there is something that I am hesitant to throw - the important question to ask is "Has this item fulfilled its purpose in my life?"

2) Items should be sort by categories and not by location
The reason being there should not be any double-counting in terms of functions and will utilise the items more efficiently, appreciate my possessions better.

3) Through the decluttering process, there are life lessons waiting to be learnt.
Decluttering should be a joyous process as it celebrates life and deepens understanding of self, even though the process may prove this to be conflicting on the surface. Through the process, one will know own's personality, preferences, styles, ideals; improves self-esteem and decision-making process; and lastly face life with responsibility and accountability.

But I have a series of questions after reading the book:

1) It sounds like a too-good-to-be-true kind of books - similar to fengshui books. IT sounds too airy-fairy.

2) How do I know this is the right and best method for me?

3) What if I throw something sentimental/things I need but only to regret later because I have thrown it away? Would be quite a loss for budget-conscious me. The book suggests that if that item is so important and there is a need, I could replenish later. What if I could not get back the very thing that I want?

4) Do I have what it takes to complete the process? The stamina and the heart pains, coming to think of it, makes me a little fluttery and nervous.

5) When organised by categories, where do I keep those that I have sorted out? The book suggested that I keep away until I have completed the entire process and decide where I should keep them eventually.

Hm...I am re-reading the book so hopefully I can find the answers to my questions. Will update this again.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Empower citizen's political power

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/%E2%80%98find-more-ways-to-give-more-power-to-the-people%E2%80%99.html

It reminds of the song.

MOE to revamp policies and directions

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/moe-to-focus-on-values--character-education.html

For years, as a student, we often wonder why there is a value difference between what is advocated in sch mgt and school teachers. I used to remember a Chinese teacher from my secondary school, Mr Foo, who once sighed in front of our class. He said: "As students, you do not just learn about new information and knowledge. You must learn moral values. You can be brilliant in your studies but once moral values is lost, the person is deemed as worthless." He emphasised on the 5 values which can be found commonly in chinese culture and teachings.
That makes me wonder then, why did the ancestors emphasise so much on that but the educators of today did not place so much importance on it. Could it be a thing of the past or the direction that current educators are heading is wrong?
Years go by.
I begin to reflect on this question on and off. Upon introspection, I realise that my Chinese teacher is right afterall. If one has no values, then the person has no stand or view on everything. He/She is just a puppet or a product down the assembly line performing the tasks without soul. Once such person is under duress, he/she is lost forever. Not only are the decisions wrong which affected others, but also the person. He / she may begin to wonder if they are suited for the job and question their purpose in life which in some worst scenarios leads to depression and death.
When I saw this article this morning, I couldnt help but say YES!
Finally someone understands.
Let's see how is the alignment and the implementation done. It can be just empty promises but a conscious awareness of it is a good start.
Then people can fill in the blanks.
I am beginning to raise my hope.
What about u?

Monday, September 12, 2011

中秋节

中秋节又到了。
虽然已经过了悲伤春秋的日子,心里还是怀念儿时的纸灯笼、小猪仔饼、烟花。美丽的夜晚,设么看起来都是美的,不管人或事。













只要大家在一起,气氛就算是平静,心里也会注入一股暖流。



在这里,我恭祝大家中秋节快乐、月圆人团圆!
추석 즐겁게 보내세요! 즐거운 추석










《水调歌头》 

(宋)苏东坡
丙辰中秋,欢饮达旦。大醉,作此篇,兼怀子由。

明月几时有?把酒问青天。
不知天上宫阙,今夕是何年?
我欲乘风归去,又恐琼楼玉宇,
高处不胜寒!起舞弄清影,何似在人间?
转朱阁,低绮户,照无眠。
不应有恨,何事长向别时圆?
人有悲欢离合,月有阴晴圆缺,此事古难全。
但愿人长久,千里共婵娟。



Friday, September 02, 2011

关系与机缘

人与人之间的关系很奇妙的。关系好的时候,不论何时何地,都会粘在一起,想牛皮糖一样分不开。可是关系就像是一种机缘。姑且不论机缘是好还是坏,机缘一过,人与人就会渐渐疏远最后分开。
所以,每一个人都要好好把握每段机缘,尤其是好的机缘。毕竟好的机缘是可遇而不可求的。
可是太惜缘注定要受苦的,因为天下没有不散的宴席。
就拿我的一个朋友兼同事来说吧。
到了离开公司的那一天,还是对我们依依不舍。我们也不舍他,但是人各有志,我们也不能牵绊着人家的道好前程。我们带着他,到处旧地重游了一遍,终于在店家几经催促之下,临别不舍地承诺将来要经常聚首才作罢。
带着他四处逛的同时,我的心情是沉重的。如果我都是这样了,那他的心情应该可想而知,一定是非笔墨所能形容的,五味杂陈。
机缘的开始不是人们能掌握的,但是机缘如何结束确是在我们掌控之中。
有时好友各奔前程,许久未见,偶然相遇,依旧能畅所欲言,可真是难能可贵的机缘。
但愿每一段机缘都能如此。

对选择的胡思乱想

每个人天天得面对选择。
可是当我们在作抉择的时候,会不会想到:倘若我选择了另一条道路,我的人生是不是就会不同?
当然我们也知道,一旦做了选择是没有办法回头了。
那好,若说选择会让我们痛苦、坐这山望那山,那咱们若是不选了?那又该如何?
不选的话,那也是一种选择。选择让自己原地踏步,固步自封。等待想选的时候,为时已晚。所以,选择远远比不选来的好。起码,有变化,人生才显得有进步有不同,与时代同进步。
毕竟,人生就是有不同的生活经历堆砌而成。人生的定数就在于其变数。
当然,若是我们选择错了,就会有悔不当初的感觉。这时,当然不能说放弃就放弃,毕竟时代的齿轮也在推进当中。不管你愿意不愿意,这条路都得走下去,毕竟是自己选择的,由不得人。只能希望这一路走下去不会太糟糕,不会输得太难看。别人的眼光就另当别论。
讲到这里是不是很有一代枭雄之感?那种凄凉、唯有靠自己的孤独、苍凉。
正所谓乱世枭雄起,虽然在别人眼里不算是离经叛道,但是对自己何尝不是一次重大的尝试?以前不曾试过的。

Thursday, June 23, 2011

真的觉得自己有时候挺可悲的。
明明心底有一种替别人做嫁衣、稳输不赢、输多赔少的感觉,但是还是傻傻的欺骗自己说是为自己好,认识更多事物,是一件不错的事情。这是优势。
但是是我高估了自己,才会造成今天的局面。如果听从心底的那把声音,今天大概会不同吧。
毕竟读文科考秀才的,怎么可能突然放手一搏去考武科呢?
怎么看都是输局已定。

就是喜欢为难自己,帮着别人欺负自己。
多可笑啊!我的职业生涯竟然是四个各怀心思,各有目的利益的家伙给决定的。我很怀疑他们到底了解我多少。
这样说吧,让我为他们的心打打脉吧。
A会说:“这是个绝佳的办法。既然她在这个环境怎么久了,多少也了解一些。不必花时间精力去找别人培训人。况且别人不一定会放人,而短时间也找不到人。再加上会有人教她的,毕竟我刚上任就有人离职,很难看。是个听话的。”
B会说:“把她弄出去也好,省得她处处挡我的路。”
C会说:“推给她吧。我可不愿。给她好,毕竟她年轻,正好体她的将来铺路,让她升职。对她对我都是好事。那个职位是个肥缺,只需要服从规则即可。”
D会说:“好吧!是一个让A相信我的机会。看吧,她一定会走的。”



我很有自知之明。好康的事从来都轮不到我,会轮到我,肯定是人家不要的赝品。
其实那些并非自己挣来的东西,我其实很不屑受之。

正确来说,既然放我在这个位子,就必须负责培训我。可是直到现在,我不觉得我了解我的职位的范畴,职权,权限等等。试问要如何令年长者服从小丫头的命令。要那种事需要强而有力的靠山。他根本就不是我的靠山。更别提管理方面的提示了。就连公司的发展消息,我们部门的发展更新蓝图都不让我知道,请问我是属于那个等级的员工?
更别说,招募新人进我的部门,面试他人的主考官竟然没带上我。我要学什么?
要我去阿谀奉承、与他们虚与委蛇,只为了博他们的好感?有这个必要吗?既然要我工作就必须给于我一定的条件和资源,不然巧妇难为无米之炊的道理,虚长我数十载的大人们不懂吗?
我是只身作战,还被别人笑作决策时慢吞吞。试问如果你是我,你会不会步步为营,毕竟责任重大,稍有差池,别人可是会鸡毛当令箭,杀鸡儆猴。到时候,我是因无知而死,是不会有人替我收尸的。
更别提当我进谏言时,明明我说的就有理,他还是否决我,对我的态度像对小孩一样。试问一个下属一直遭上司的撇开,否决,功劳被抹杀,工作成理所当然,那个下属的感觉如何?
你以为这个职位不需要专业知识?错了,计划实行不是专业知识吗?基金调动,基金管理,物流运输,行政管理不是专业知识吗?如果不是,为什么会有人专门教这个?

我唯一学到的是在职场,千万别当好心人。通常是过劳死的,要不就是冤死。不要再轻易相信别人了。别人的解药,就是我的毒药。我的辛苦、痛苦、付出,成了理所当然,被别人漠视。这么多事去解救别人做什么?苦了自己,何苦来哉?到头还是替别人数钞票,自己有什么好处?不就是,说一句看你能干,继续把自己的工作丢给你,还被人笑说看不开,不会往另一个角度想。我不想自欺,太苦涩了。我的性格都变得扭曲得连我自己都快要不认识了。每天只羊郁郁寡欢,不郁郁而终,有谁信?