Friday, September 13, 2024

The Money Magnet

Money embodies three distinct states. Initially, people seek money; subsequently, individuals seek suitable persons, and finally, money actively seeks those who match its requirements. The society will evolve into a state where money selects suitable individuals, and wealth will always flow towards those who align with it.

Money Prefers Attractive Individuals

Author Walter Isaacson described Steve Jobs when he first started working: barefoot, long-haired, dressed in a hippie-style jacket, with a body odour from not having showered for half a month. Despite his extraordinary business acumen, he consistently faced difficulties.

He was marginalized due to personal hygiene issues, assigned to night shifts; during the initial stages of his entrepreneurial journey, he scared off investors due to image problems; after a public dispute with executives, he was eventually fired from the company he founded.

In social interactions, appearance presents the first impression to others. To realize one's worth, one must first learn to maintain personal cleanliness and appearance.

In 1997, a Thai businessman faced a financial crisis, his years of savings vanished, burdened with enormous debts. Clad in inexpensive attire and sneakers, he pushed a cart to sell sandwiches. Despite his difficult life, he ensured he was neatly attired every day and wiped his shoes clean.

Dissimilar to other vendors who wore casual clothes, covered in oil stains, his neat appearance attracted more people to his small stand.

Numerous customers even lined up in front of his stall early in the morning, waiting for his sandwiches. His business prospered, enabling him to pay off his debts.

A year later, he reopened his company, once again becoming a prominent figure on the "Top Ten Outstanding Entrepreneurs in Thailand" list.

Why does money seem to favour people who are tidy and attractive? Perhaps because a presentable appearance in the eyes of others complements the need for self-care. Consistently paying attention to personal appearance not only respects others but also respects oneself and life. Just like the saying goes: "Money won't easily reward you if you don't reward yourself first."

Money is attracted to Gentle People

Let me share the story of a friend and her experience with her supervisor.

When she first encountered her supervisor, she didn't hold high regard for his leadership.

She perceived the supervisor as having an average educational background and being relatively young. She couldn't understand how the supervisor secured such an important position.

However, after a year of working together, her opinion of the supervisor underwent a complete transformation.

During times when the company's performance was poor, the boss would be in a bad mood, often fault-finding everywhere, and often using the supervisor as an outlet for venting.

However, this supervisor consistently managed to quickly grasp the boss's emotions and needs, remaining composed, not arguing or getting excited. Instead, the supervisor would calmly analyse the pros and cons before providing solutions.

When a colleague made errors in reporting sales data, causing panic and fear of reprimand, upon learning of the situation, the supervisor didn’t place blame but instead gently reassured them: "Don't worry, carefully check it again before reporting."

This gentle yet steady approach to handling situations won the trust of both the boss and colleagues. Within a short span of three years, the supervisor continuously moved up the ranks, eventually becoming the Director of Sales.

In the workplace, gentle people can easily touch the hearts of others, nurture them, and make work much more effective.

No one likes working with individuals full of negativity. Emotionally stable individuals possess a high-energy field that effectively handles people and situations around them.

Money seems to favour people who naturally incline towards such an emotionally stable disposition.

Money Chooses People with a Good Attitude

Psychologist Richard Wiseman conducted an experiment.

He recruited a group of subjects, first asking them to evaluate their own luck, then sending them to a coffee shop to buy coffee. On the way to the coffee shop, Wiseman designed two small tasks for all the subjects.

He placed a dropped dollar bill on the way and arranged for a merchant to pretend to be waiting for coffee in the cafe. The results showed that those who self-assessed as having bad luck almost completely ignored the dropped dollar and the merchant waiting for coffee. On the other hand, those who thought they had good luck not only picked up the money but also engaged in a pleasant conversation with the merchant during the coffee wait.

The study found that those who self-assessed with better luck generally had a better attitude, enabling them to quickly establish connections with the outside world. Conversely, pessimists are often more nervous, anxious, and can't see opportunities right in front of them.

In the face of reality, only by maintaining a smile can you overcome obstacles and focus on the future. With a wrong mindset, you'll face difficulties everywhere. But with the right attitude, the situations you encounter will be smoother.

After graduating from university, Kazuo Inamori was recommended by a teacher to join Matsushita Electric Industrial. Only after joining did he realize that due to the company's poor management, it was on the brink of bankruptcy and even unable to pay its employees.

Many colleagues sighed, feeling hopeless, left one after another, and some even advised Inamori to leave as well. However, he remained steadfast, believing that as long as the company didn't close down, and as long as he kept working hard, it could be turned around.

So, he moved kitchen utensils into the lab and devoted himself to product innovation. Two years later, he successfully developed a new material that was warmly welcomed upon its release in the market. The company's orders increased sharply, quickly achieving profitability.

Later, Kazuo Inamori said, "There are many factors for success, but the most important is attitude." When faced with difficulties, indulging in negative emotions only worsens the situation.

To maintain a peaceful mindset and focus energy on the matter at hand is the way to find a way out of difficulties.

Money Follows Clean People

"Every minute of every day in life is like a brick in the building you build. If a brick is used wrong or if you do wrong things, it may lead to the collapse of the entire building."

"Money does not enter dirty doors, and blessings don't soak the impure." People with bad behaviour may appear glossy for a while, but will eventually meet failure. Maintaining a pure and virtuous heart will always attract wealth no matter where you are.

Everything in the world is attracted to us by our inner self. A person without good morals cannot stand firm; an impure heart cannot accumulate wealth.

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Life's Creditors: We Owe Three People Throughout our lives

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Friday, September 6, 2024

Life's Creditors: We Owe Three People Throughout our lives

In our lifetime, we'll meet many people. Some whom we approach sincerely might disappoint us, while others may invest their whole hearts, but we remain indifferent. People long for their efforts to be respected and their sincerity reciprocated. Each encounter we experience essentially is predetermined.

Fate brings people together; without fate, even being close won't make you close, but with it, you can feel connected even if separated by thousands of miles.

If no debts existed, how would there be encounters? Indeed, meetings between individuals are predestined. In our future lives, these three types of relationships must be remembered and cherished because once lost, they cannot be regained.

The Greatest Act is the Unrewarded Act of Bringing Up

Firstly, we must remember our parents' act of bringing up. As the saying goes, "The grace of giving birth and raising you is greater than the sky." This grace is impossible to repay in one's lifetime. From our birth to growing up, our parents have been meticulous in their care for us, something we owe them for our entire lives.

There's a story that goes: An old man went to a cellphone repair shop to check what was wrong with his phone. The technician couldn't find any issue and told the old man his phone was fine. The old man, upon hearing this, burst into tears, "If the phone is fine, then why doesn't my child call me?" This story deeply touches my heart.

As we grow older, we often forget our parents. In the hustle and bustle of work, we tend to overlook them, sometimes not calling for a long time. Yet, our parents are always concerned about us. Even when you're away from home, they always keep their phones close, volume turned up high, afraid to miss your call. Despite understanding our busy lives, they choose to quietly wait. When the call finally arrives, they want to convey their longing for us but still inquire about our well-being, and that's enough for them.

Did you know? Their expression of happiness without reporting their worries is only surface-level. Once the call ends, they can't control their emotions, and tears flow because they miss us immensely.

"The term 'parents' refers to those who, looking at your back, are always filled with joy and sadness, wanting to embrace you but are afraid to show it."

As time passes and we grow wiser, the bond with our parents begins to fade. While they're still around, give them a call, visit home more often, and don’t wait until it's too late to feel remorseful about the missed opportunities.

Mutual Care, Love that Never Gives Up

Are you like me, not envy couples kissing on the streets but rather admire the elderly holding hands while strolling at dusk?

Many people believe that love is easy to come by but hard to sustain in the long run. However, I've always believed that a wonderful relationship nurtures an individual, making both people even better.

I have a friend who has been in a relationship with her boyfriend for ten years. When she decided to start her own business, she had to be in a long-distance relationship with her boyfriend. I asked her if she was worried about the stability of their relationship.

She said, "We've been together for so long, not only relying on each other but also supporting each other. He supports my decisions, and at the same time, I consider our future together. We cherish each other, and that's what makes our relationship enduring."

Indeed, only through cherishing can a relationship endure.

In relationships, companionship is the most enduring form of declaration of love. Parents may pass away first, children might have their own families, but the right person will accompany you through life's ups and downs and share the trivialities of daily life with you.

Love doesn't require grand gestures, but you must understand and cherish those who quietly accompany you, especially your significant other. In any relationship, there are mutual sacrifices. Moderate sacrifice is love, but excessive sacrifice can become dangerous.

Responses foster communication, and cherishing is what makes love last. Never assume that any contribution is taken for granted. In the long passage of time, cherish the one who has always been by your side.

The Helping Hand in times of trouble

There's a saying: "Life doesn't always go as planned, eight or nine times out of ten." Everyone goes through times of disappointment and destitution, but not everyone is fortunate enough to be helped by others.

Only time can verify a person's sincerity. Those who unhesitatingly support you in your most difficult moments, those who accompany you through your adversities, are the people most deserving of your gratitude and appreciation.

There's a story about a pair of good friends—an average-sized person and an overweight person. These friends had known each other for many years, always assisting each other, and passing through many difficult moments together.

One day, the overweight friend asked the average-sized one, "Why have you always wanted to be friends with me?" The average-sized friend replied, "In the past, others used to bully me because I was weak and thin. Only you were willing to protect me. Then, when I faced difficulties in my business, everyone else avoided me, but you were the only one willing to lend me money. Although you are a bit stingy, straightforward, and sometimes say hurtful things, I still feel that being friends with you is wonderful."

The most challenging people to encounter in life are those who help you in your times of trouble, who are willing to help you through tough times, and treat you sincerely. Because everyone is willing to share joy, but not everyone can have the friendship that offers help in difficult times.

Perhaps only through experiencing adversity can one truly see who is sincere and who is not. For those who genuinely treat you well, always hold a heart of gratitude. The way to repay is beyond measure; this kind of friendship is both rare and precious.

"In this world, when you meet someone who treats you sincerely remain a few." Therefore, those who ultimately remain by your side are the most precious. Only through cherishing will the path of life become brighter.

Even the most vigorous campfire, without added wood, will gradually die out. Similarly, even two deeply loving individuals, if they don't cherish each other, can become strangers.

When care diminishes, the relations become distant. As the relations become distant, emotions fade. Once the emotions fade, it's impossible to return to the past. May you learn to be grateful in your remaining years, thanking every person who has helped you.

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Life is Like Watching Drama

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Friday, August 30, 2024

Life is Like Watching Drama

"In our stages of growth, we long to see comedies, full of hope for a joyful life. As we step into our youth, we lean more toward tragedies to refine our fragile souls. Moving into middle age, we prefer to watch tragicomedies, seeking happiness from sadness and seeking pleasure in hardship. By the time we reach old age, we prefer to watch silent dramas, understanding the profound meaning of life in quiet silence."

This idea resonates deeply, as each stage of life has its own dramatic theme, with every act presenting a unique storyline.

Watching Comedies in Childhood

"Retain a childlike heart and nurture interests. A child's life is full of interests. They play, seek pleasure, wholeheartedly immerse themselves, and strive for joy."

Childhood is the opening chapter of our lives, the most carefree time when all children need to do is grow and embrace the promising future awaiting them.

I have a friend whose son has just entered middle school. Despite the increasing academic workload, his child is always optimistic and often wears a cheerful smile.

From a young age until now, his child has lived a remarkably happy life. Apart from the affectionate companionship of his parents, his grandparents also provide meticulous care.

The child particularly enjoys assembling LEGO toys. On Children's Day, Christmas, and his birthday, my friend gift him the LEGO sets he desires, allowing him to focus on assembling them.

He also has a fondness for reading, especially history books. My friend tries to buy suitable history books for him, expanding his knowledge.

Every weekend or holiday, his family goes out to explore, whether it's to a nearby park or as far as climbing the Great Wall in Beijing, continuously broadening his horizons.

Although occasionally faced with unpleasant incidents, the child quickly adjusts his emotions because he understands that his parents are his strongest support.

In the most wonderful stage of childhood, surrounded by a parent's love, a child growing up in such a warm environment is like a comedy filled with happiness, exuding an atmosphere of joy everywhere.

The stage of growth before eighteen is a vital part of every individual's life foundation. A child who grows up joyfully will have more confidence in the future.

The future belongs to every child, especially to those who remain optimistic and cheerful. Allowing a child to grow up in happiness is life's greatest blessing.

Watching Tragedies in Youth

Coming of age at eighteen signifies bearing more life responsibilities, which is the same for everyone. After experiencing various hardships, many young people may come to understand that the most crucial aspect of life is to temper one's inner strength through continuous trials. During the college entrance examination season, some kids tear up with excitement upon performing well, while those who don't fare as expected huddle in a corner, crying desolately. I came across a post from a netizen who said that he would never forget the moment years ago when the exam scores came out. He felt like there was no hope left in his life. His score was below the undergraduate admission threshold, which made him feel hopeless. He had to study in a college outside the province in a field he did not prefer. However, his determination allowed him to complete the three-year college program and eventually successfully transfer to a four-year program. Two years ago, he was admitted to graduate school back in his province. Reflecting on this experience, he expressed, "I thought my life was destined a certain way, but only after going through it did I realize that even in the most difficult moments, life still holds infinite possibilities as long as one doesn't give up." Approaching his graduation from graduate school, regardless of how easy or difficult it is to secure a job, he won't feel fearful because reality has made him much stronger. There's a saying, "If youth's years are wasted in vain, memories will be a tragic desolation." Nobody wishes their life to be a hopeless tragedy, but we may have to experience some disappointing events. Don't retreat or be pessimistic; every challenge in life actually contributes to the depth of our existence.

Watching Tragicomedies in Middle Age

The charm of middle age lies in understanding life and oneself, thus doing what one can and enjoying what life offers. Having experienced a myriad of life's joys and sorrows, those who have lived half a lifetime gradually come to understand themselves and life. Regardless of the immense sorrow or joy they feel, they can face them with more equanimity. In the halfway journey of life, we gradually learn to be indifferent since life involves both sorrow and joy. Middle age serves as the stage connecting youth and old age. Those who reach this stage may find themselves able to calmly face everything because that is part of the process of growth.

Watching Silent Plays in Old Age

As one enters old age, some individuals may no longer possess the fervour for struggle, only the gratitude for being fortunate to live through a day peacefully. However, this phase is not meant to be an idle remainder of life. Instead, it's an opportunity to draw experience from the past, comprehend the true essence of life, and ensure that the future years are more fulfilling and clear.

"Only through hardships can one gain a profound understanding of life, broadening the inner world; this is the key to happiness." Everyone wishes for a smooth life but can't avoid experiencing unfavourable situations and difficulties. Just as life experiences different storylines through its four stages, it includes both joy and sorrow, as well as commotion and tranquillity. Regardless of the stage one is in, what's crucial is living each stage marvellously, enabling a more insightful and freer way of living.

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