8 Gifts That Do Not Cost A Cent to share

8 Gift That Do Not Cost A Cent to share

I was at NUH yesterday (9 Apr 11) morning because my mum complaint one of her shoulder to very painful, so I send her to the emergency dept at NUH.

While waiting for her, I went to the bookshop at NUh and saw this interesting article. Here it is :

My mum was discharge this afternoon (10 Apr 11). She was given some drips of potassium chloride yesterday at the hospital and felt better today.

No need for Facials & Slimming to make yourself attractive

No need for Facials & Slimming to make yourself attractive

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.

Thanks to Joo Hock for forwarding me this nice poem. The above photo shows the current 7 members from Apex Club of Singapore (City) taken on 4 Apr 11 during the birthday celebration for our President, Michael Tan, at Hans (Jalan Bukit Merah).

Passing of our Ex-CE

I was so sad last Tue, 29 Mar 11, morning when I heard that our formal CE has just passed away the day before.
Read the original article below.

The former Chief Executive of Singapore's Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), Soh Kong Pheng, died on Monday (28 March) from kidney cancer, aged 60.

Mr Soh stepped down as Chief Executive of DSTA in December 2010, having announced his retirement a month before upon learning of his ailment. While being treated for kidney cancer, he contracted dengue fever and had to suspend his cancer treatment.

His daughter, 25-year old Soh Lee Ling, said: "After my father's retirement, we had planned to travel to the US around January or February to visit my elder sister and her newborn daughter, and celebrate Chinese New Year together as a family. However, after he fell ill, we had to remain in Singapore so that he could receive treatment."

According to Ms Soh, although her father was busy with work, he always cared and though for his family, even when he was sick in bed.

When Mr Soh retired last year, his colleagues in DSTA compiled a commemorative book for him. In it, an individual penned a message saying: "Mr Soh was a modest gentleman. Even after assuming the post of Chief Executive, he still treated all his staff as equals. Whenever introducing me to others, he would describe me as his "colleague" rather than his "chauffeur"."

According to a DSTA spokesperson, staff members are saddened by Mr Soh's departure and they fondly remember his contributions to the organisation.

Soh Kong Pheng joined the Singapore Armed Forces in 1972 and has held several major appointments, including Head of the Defence Material Organisation. He was DSTA's Deputy Chief Executive (Operations) in 2000, and became the agency's Chief Executive in 2008. Last year, he received the Public Administration Medal (Gold) from the President of Singapore.
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One of the lesson I learnt is that we should not wait till we are retired then enjoy life. A lot of people have this thinking that I should save as much as I can while I am young and able to work and wait till I retire then enjoy life. But they forgot that when they are old, a lot of things they cannot do or enjoy. For example, when you are old, you cannot eat as much as when you are young, you cannot eat the nice & fatty stuff due to health reason, you cannot carry a 20 kg luggage to go travelling, you will not be able to change flights, you cannot walk as far as when you are young, you cannot climb a low hill, etc. There are many more reasons why we should not wait till retire to enjoy life.

Some Words for Ourselves

Dear Friends,

I have not write on my blog for quite a while. I still get about 20 visitors a week for my blog. With the energies of the Lunar New Year upon us, there is no better time than now to make a powerful commitment; to heal your unconscious guilt allowing you to create the life you've always wanted! Below is an interesting article from our local Chinese Newspaper.

It shares some things for ourselves. Do not go against an idiot, society, yourself, relatives, things of the past and reality. Reasons are simple.
 
Lastly, some of my friends and colleagues asked me, how many "Lo Hei" (or "Yu Sheng" or raw fish and vegetable salad), I had during this Chinese New Year. My answer is I have lost count. This morning, I looked at my planner and did a stocktake. From 22 Jan 11 until the last day of Chinese New Year, 17 Feb 11, I had 11 "Lo Heis". Some days I had 2 "Lo Heis" on one day. I have decided to change my diet to vegetarian diet from now for 3 months.

Another of my close Friend left me

ANOTHER OF MY CLOSE FRIEND LEFT ME

I was rather sad on 30th Dec 2010 reason being another of my close friend, Chan NH, left me. In Jan 2010, my close friend Alex who is also a qualified TCM, pass away. We use to have tea-break and lunch together whenever he come to our building.

I was actually on leave on 30th Dec 10, but I went back to my office to catch a lift from my colleague to a buffet lunch at Holiday Inn. I was slightly early when I arrived at my office, so I decided to have a drink at our canteen. It was then that our canteen operator, Yogo, told me Chan was hospitalised on 29 Dec 10. When I tried to find out more from her, she was not able to tell me. She just said she is visiting Chan on that day after work. Later that day, I called up a colleague of mine who is very close with close and found out that Chan is brain dead already.

On 31 Dec 10, my car was ready for collection at a workshop in Tuas. I arranged with a colleague of mine to visit Chan on 1 Jan 11 but my colleague called me to say Chan's heart has stop beating.

I went to Chan's wake on 2 Jan 11.

Chan's Death Can Actually Be Avoided

After talking to my colleague who was very closed to Chan, I found out that Chan death can actually be avoided. About 1 week before Chan died, he went to see Chinese doctor for flu. But it did not recover. So on 27 Dec 10, he went to see his GP. After his GP did a check on him, his GP wrote a letter for him to be admitted to hospital immediately. But he did not go to hospital straight because he has made an appointment with CPF to sign up a Life Plan on 29 Dec 10. I think he intended to go for his appointment first before going to hospital. So he missed his 1st chance to live longer. On 28 Dec 10 evening, Chan vomitted blood at home, his wife asked to go to hospital for check-up but he refused to do so. He missed his 2nd chance to live longer. On 29 Dec 10, after he got up in the morning, I was told he was doing his usual stretching after he get up from bed, but after some stretching, he fainted. His wife called for ambulance immediately. About 30 minutes later, he arrived at the hospital. The doctor did a check on him and found out that he is brain dead because there was no oxygen supplied to his brain for about 30 minutes. The next day his heart stop pumping, the doctor said his death is due to pneumonia which is commonly known as lung infection.

What are some of the lessons we can learnt from Chan's death ?

I think when the doctor listen to his breathing, the doctor suspected something is not right. That is why the doctor ask him to be admitted immediately.

If one vomitted blood, it is another sign of something serious has happened, admit to hospital immediately.

If flu prolong, go for thorough check, one could be suffering from pneumonia.

We only live once, so do not take sickness likely especially when we pass 60 years old. Chan is 63 this year.

10 Mantras To Age Gracefully

10 Mantras To Age Gracefully

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*1. *Never say ‘I am aged': There are three ages, chronological, biological, and psychological. The first is calculated based on our date of birth ; the second is determined by the health conditions and the third is how old you feel you are. While we don't have control over the first, we can take care of our health with good diet, exercise and a cheerful attitude. A positive attitude and optimistic thinking can reverse the third age.

*2. *Health is wealth : If you really love your kith and kin, taking care of your health should be your priority. Thus, you will not be a burden to them. Have an annual health check-up and take the prescribed medicines regularly. Do take health insurance cover.

*3.* Money is important : Money is essential for meeting the basic necessities of life, keeping good health and earning family respect and security. Don't spend beyond your means even for your children. You have lived for them all through and it is time you enjoyed a harmonious life. If your children are grateful and they take care of you, you are blessed. But never take it for granted.

*4. *Relaxation and recreation : The most relaxing and recreating forces are a healthy religious attitude, good sleep, music and laughter. Have faith in you, learn to sleep well, love good music and see the funny side of life.

*5. *Time is precious : It is almost like holding a horse's reins. When they are in your hands, you can control them. Imagine that everyday you are born again. Yesterday is a cancelled cheque. Tomorrow is a promissory note. Today is ready cash — use it profitably. Live this moment.

*6. *Change is the only permanent thing : We should accept change — it is inevitable. The only way to make sense out of change is to join the dance. Change has brought about many pleasant things. We should be happy that our children are blessed.

*7. *Enlightened selfishness : All of us are basically selfish. Whatever we do, we expect something in return. We should definitely be grateful to those who stood by us. But our focus should be on the internal satisfaction and happiness we derive by doing good to others, without expecting anything in return.

*8. *Forget and Forgive : Don't be bothered too much about others' mistakes. We are not spiritual enough to show our other cheek when we are slapped in one. But for the sake of our own health and happiness, let us forgive and forget them. Otherwise, we will be only increasing our BP.

*9. *Everything has a purpose : Take life as it comes. Accept yourself as you are and also accept others for what they are. Everybody is unique and right in his own way.

*10. *Overcome the fear of death : We all know that one day we have to leave this world. Still we are afraid of death. We think that our spouse and children will be unable to withstand our loss. But the truth is no one is going to die for you ; they may be depressed for some time. Time heals everything and they will carry on.

One Simple Secret to Managing Work Stress

One Simple Secret to Managing Work Stress
Rusty Rueff, On Saturday 18 December 2010, 0:17 SGT


More books have been written about stress management than any of us could ever read. Consultants, psychologists and psychiatrists have made their living on helping others deal with stress. While a myriad of tactics and tricks can help us manage stress at our jobs, one simple action is often overlooked:

Arriving early.

There's no stress in being early. This small yet important tip can significantly reduce your own stress, and it also shows those around you how to act when work heats up.

Think about these scenarios and see if you can apply them when it comes to managing the stress in your job:

-- If your schedule requires you to be in the office at 8:00 a.m., show up at 7:40 a.m. Those extra 20 minutes will give you time to settle in and get organized before the pressure really heats up.

[See 10 Ways to Make Any Job Healthier.]

-- If the meeting starts at 10:00 a.m., arrive at 9:50 a.m. Use those extra ten minutes in the meeting room to collect your thoughts, get in the right frame of mind, or take a moment to check your Blackberry.

-- If your one-on-one with your boss is scheduled at a regular time each week, show up five minutes early so you're already there and ready to go when her door opens. Consider using your extra five minutes to talk to the boss's assistant, creating a relationship that pays dividends.

-- If your presentation is due on Thursday morning, organize your workload so you can deliver it the evening before, eliminating loss of sleep and anxiety on Wednesday night.

-- If you're responsible for providing end-of-year performance reviews, don't wait until the week right before the review to get started. The last week will always be the most stressful, and your feedback won't be nearly as constructive if you rush to provide it. Set a plan ahead of time for how you'll tackle the written reviews. For example, if you need to review 10 employees and you have four weeks before in-person reviews, aim to complete two to three written reviews each week. A bit of planning and organization can go a long way when it comes to reducing your stress levels.

[See The Value of a True Lunch Break.]

-- If you're faced with a meeting across town that starts at 4:00 p.m., think ahead about your commute time. Without traffic, you could make it in half an hour, but who knows how long it will take when a lot of vehicles are on the road. Give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination, even if you risk arriving earlier than necessary. It's worth the time you'd otherwise spend fretting about arriving late. While most of us despise sitting in traffic, in this case, it can be turned into time to think, relax, or catch up on a few phone calls.

[For more career advice, visit U.S. News Careers, or find us on Facebook or Twitter.]

Combined with other stress management tricks that work for you, looking for opportunities to be early is an effective way to keep your cool. And don't forget that the people around you--your colleagues, staff, and maybe even your boss--look to you as an example of how to handle moments of pressure. By incorporating the "there's no stress in being early" approach, you'll help your workdays move more smoothly, both for you and for everyone else.

Rusty Rueff, director and career expert for jobs and career website Glassdoor.com has been a CEO, led HR in global companies and is co-author of Talent Force: A New Manifesto for the Human Side of Business.