Believe in Yourself

I know you have within you
everything you need,
many special qualities
to help you succeed.
I just wanted you to know
that I believe in you,
and hope that you
will always
believe in yourself too.


- Author Unknown

Nice Picture - Rain falling onto the Window

Went to visit Parliament House on Wednesday. What a nice experience to ask one of my course mates to capture a nice pic just outside the entrance near to the cafe house... ... It was an unexpected heavy downpour.

My Favourite Poem - Love and Faith

Love and Faith

You are not poor if you
love something, someone,
humanity maybe, and have faith
that you will somewhere,
sometime be satisfied, though you
know not how.

You may even feel that your
sorrow is but a school to teach
you the virtues of sympathy and
gentleness, that will avail
you hereafter, though you know
not where.

I am not always on the highway
that leads to this hilltop,
but I have seen the lighted road
stretching on and on;
sometimes I have even fancies
that I saw the windows of
the castle all aglow.

And I have hastened my steps
to be in time for the feast,
and taken counsel of my courage
lest I falter and fall on the way.

May I keep this vision of
the castle ever before my eyes,
and a disbelief in my heart
that the journey is worthwhile,
and the castle and the glow
in the windows not all illusion.

(From collection of inspirational verses of Max Ehrmann's poems that reveal his love of this world).

The Recent Financial Crisis - How has it affect you ?

It is said that the recent financial crisis is an unprecedented one, both in terms of its scale and the speed with which it unfolded. Its effects have been felt worldwide, hitting all financial sector participants – from banks to insurance companies to mortgage houses.

One of my wife close relatives has been retrenched from DBS. It was a shocking news indeed especially for a big bank like DBS to lay off so many staff from its Singapore and Hongkong branch (as announced in the news last week).

On a lighter note, Commodity prices, like that of oil, have fallen steeply, it has partly signified the global downturn.

Some of the key sources of inflation in the first half of the year, such as food and direct oil-related items such as petrol, electricity tariffs, LPG and gas, have seen slower increases in recent months which may be a good news to some but it will not allay many Singaporean fear of being retrenched or receiving a pay cut.

However, devise a well-planned financial future for you and your family could bring about a brighter hope.

a) Have you set up a monthly budget ?

b) Do you have an emergency fund of at least 6 months of your monthly salary ?

c) When is the last time you have review your financial plan ?

For more tips and educational resources on personal matters, you may visit MoneySENSE website at www.moneysense.gov.sg.

Do you know Nick Vujicic ? A unique young man who is a giant in his own life. He went around the world to give inspiring talks that touches many people.


Check out this video from youtube... ...

Hope you enjoy it !

CARPE DIEM

Have you ever heard the phase Carpe diem ?

It is a phrase from a latin poem by Horace. It is popularly translated as "seize the day".

In modern day, very often, you heard people quote that they will make full use of the day which is akin to the phrase Carpe Diem.

If today is your best investment, seize the day today to act as tomorrow has no guarantee. Take Action NOW !