A Successful Life

How do you define a successful life? The Merriam Webster dictionary has this definition; "...having gotten or achieved wealth, respect, or fame" or "having the correct or desired result...". I beg to differ. 

A few days ago, I watched a documentary about Warren Buffet. I did not know who he is until mid-1994 during a job interview. At age 86, Mr. Buffet still goes to work everyday and does what he is passionate about, much like the way he has been working for the past six and a half decades. He is one of the Top 5 wealthiest people in the world for many years. Last year he donated $2.86 billion USD to charity. As far as I could tell, he is as at ease with himself, and being content with every aspect of his life. Mr. Buffet is the textbook example of leading a successful life by "having achieved wealth, respect, or fame."

Another successful person that comes to mind is that of Saint Teresa of Kolkata. I visited the Mother House in 2003, and it is just a modest dwelling place for Catholic nuns of her order. Missionaries of Charity was founded by Mother Teresa in 1950. This saintly woman had no more than 3 saris and a pair of sandals in her possession when she was alive. Moreover, she made a difference in millions of lives with her dedication of serving the poorest of the poor. She led a successful life by "having the correct or desired result".

Yesterday I watched a video clip about the 25 most influential people in history based on a study conducted by MIT. Even though many great scientists and engineers made it to the Top 25 list, the No. 1 most influential person in history is Aristotle. To be quite honest, I was a bit surprised at first. How could a Greek philosopher from 4th Century B.C. beat all his fabulous contemporaries? We don't even have a tangible object that would remind us of him. I then realize that he definitely altered the way that future generations thought and reasoned. Alexander the Great, who was the greatest conqueror, was his pupil. His philosophies and teachings were spread over several continents some 2400 years ago.

Warren Buffet, Mother Teresa and Aristotle have one thing in common. They all followed their hearts and dedicated their entire lives doing what they loved to do. Whatever good (wealth, respect, fame, influence, etc.) came out of their successful lives seemed almost secondary to the joy that radiated from them.

The Silent Struggle

It is always difficult to tell others that we have health issues, even more so when it comes to mental health issues. As with physical health challenges, there are various types and degrees of severity of psychological disorders. Before reaching adulthood, most of us would have gone through numerous episodes of mental health challenges. Common forms of mental illness include eating disorders, addiction disorders, panic attacks, anxiety disorders, depression, mood disorders, ADHD and the list goes on. The more severe forms would be neurosis, psychosis and schizophrenia, etc.

According to medicinenet.com, "... although the exact cause of most mental illnesses is not known, it is becoming clear through research that many of these conditions are caused by a combination of genetic, biological, psychological, and environmental factors -- not personal weakness or a character defect -- and recovery from a mental illness is not simply a matter of will and self-discipline." We can recover from mental illness with proper treatment, and can control the symptoms. However, the general attitude towards mental illness is that it is incurable. We tend to ignore and/or avoid people with mental health challenges as if they have a contagious disease.

Unfortunately we also associate mental illness with low intellectual and cognitive capability. Our society has excluded, discriminated and marginalized people with mental health issues. A few days ago, I was sitting on a bus next to an elderly man who was on his way to visit his wife in a long term care facility. That has been morning routine for the past four years. He told me that ever since she was diagnosed with dementia, her friends had been dropping off like flies. Sadly, some of these friends are people that his wife has known for over six decades. 

"We need to change the culture of this topic and make it okay to speak about mental health and suicide." Do not turn a deaf ear to the problem. Ask what we can do to alleviate the suffering. We can make a big difference by smiling at and listening to the people with mental difficulties. 

From Canada With Love

Dear Neighbours:

Your have a new boss in White House now. I listened attentively to his seventeen minute speech after he took the Oath of office, and I took notes. I am glad that President Trump openly made promises to improve the quality of life for the regular folk and to let the government be controlled by the people again. "You will never be ignored again," he said. He promised great schools, great jobs and safe neighbourhoods. He would endeavor to make U.S.A. strong, wealthy, proud, safe again, and most of all, GREAT again.

He outlined how he was going to rebuild your country. President Trump encouraged Americans to think big and dream big. He said that you should open your heart and be patriotic. He stated that racial prejudice would not exist if American people are patriotic. However, I cannot see the connection between patriotism and the eradication of racial prejudice. I wish he had explained this statement in greater detail. Maybe the other culturally diverse societies can learn from him the methodology to resolve the complex issue of inter-racial conflicts.

A new vision was brought forth - AMERICA FIRST. Your great leader commanded you to buy only American goods and employ only American labour. Funds will be spent on new infrastructure all across your country. The borders are going to be better defended. More money will be spent to improve American military. President Trump is well known for his ability to raise funds. I pray that he is going to shine in increasing the 365 trillion USD debt your country already has. "The hour of action arrives!"

Further to the claim that "Protection leads to Prosperity", the new boss also called for "the carnage of crime and drugs to stop right here and right now". Many years ago when Rudy Giuliani was the Mayor of New York City, he managed to clean Manhattan up by painting over the graffiti, and keeping the streets clean. Maybe Mr. Giuliani is assigned this task. Moreover, I am not sure how he is going to complete the assignment on a much larger scale.

Lastly and most importantly, President Trump expressed that USA would only make alliances with selective countries from now on. He emphasized that "America will win again." He alone would determine the course of U.S.A. and the world. To be egocentrically nationalistic is one thing but to claim that he would determine the course of the world is absolutely outrageous, especially when he also said that he would "...unite the civilized world to fight against ISIS".

My beloved brothers and sisters, I was very disturbed by President Trump's inaugural address. I have been praying for you all to persevere and hold your government accountable for the forthcoming "actions". God Bless America.

Sincerely,
Your Canadian Neighbour

Chip On Hand?

A few years ago, my friend volunteered in the annual headcount of homeless people in the City of Vancouver. Afterwards, she commented how much resources were needed to conduct the survey each year because homeless people are transient by nature. I jokingly replied that maybe the provincial government should consider implanting a chip on each of the chronic social benefit recipients who do not have fixed addresses. My friend gave me a dirty look, and said that my suggestion would be opposed by the human rights advocates. Back in those days, only wildlife rescue teams would tag recovered animals before releasing them back to the wilderness.

Yesterday I came across a documentary exploring issues around RFID chip implants in humans. Apparently a number of bio-hackers already had RFID chips implanted on themselves and other related people. The RFID chip is approximately the size as a grain of rice. Usually the chips are implanted on the back of hands. Some wealthy individuals also had the chip implants for the sake of convenience or as a life-saving measure in case of medical emergency.

I could not see how this could become a fad in the near future. Most people value their privacy and security too much to even ponder trying this kind of technology out. Imagine upon entering a store, they are greeted by a synthesizer voice that tells them which of their favourite brands are on sale at the moment. They no longer would have to go through checkouts to pay for their purchases. Should they be checked into an Emergency Department of a hospital, the medical team would have their medical history in a few seconds by accessing their file identified by a 16-digit number transmitted by their implanted RFID chips.

The video then made a religious argument that believers would not let such chips be implanted in their body, quoting Revelation 13:16-17, King James Version Bible. 'In Christianity, some believe the implantation of chips may be the fulfillment of the prophecy of the Mark of the Beast, said to be a requirement for buying and selling, and a key element of the Book of Revelation. "And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name".'

Coupled with GPS, RFID chips could be a money-saving measure to replace low-security prisons. Another concern is where the database should be stored. Like everything else in life, RFID chip implants have pros and cons. Perhaps it is too early to have an answer to the question, "Chip on hand?"

2016 in Review

We will welcome a new year in a week’s time. I started 2016 in Quelimane, Mozambique where I waited for a month and a half for my new passport and visa to continue my journey in Southern and East Africa. I had originally planned to go on a couple more safaris in Tanzania and Kenya after visiting the Indian Ocean Coastline in early 2016. I had to deviate from my plans due to a lack of time and money. Perhaps I saw all I needed to see in terms of wildlife in Africa the year before. The three weeks in Ethiopia at the end of my trip rounded out my African visit with a strong cultural and historical component.

The Visit of Queen Sheba to Jersusalem

Before the journey, I researched the possibility of volunteering for a month or so. I could not find any meaningful project for duration less than three months to take part in. Well, because of the robbery that happened in December 2015, I stayed in less number of cities for a longer period each time in the latter part of my African visit. I was able to savor everyday life in each place, chatted more, and at times helped the locals with whatever resources that I could garner. Consequently, I contributed to improve other people’s lives in a more meaningful manner.

A village outside Quelimane, Mozambique

Despite the lack of funds and communication means, I was able to resume my African visit with some modifications in February. I experienced Africa in ways that other visitors could not even imagine. The challenges and adversities also linked me to my Creator closer than ever. I had no access to my Canadian bank accounts since they were frozen after the robbery was reported. My brother would wire funds to me via Western Union periodically. My spending might have constraints but I was liberated from my mindset and worries. Divine Providence took over. All I had to do is to surrender to God’s plan, and went along with whatever I normally would not agree.

I returned to Vancouver in early April. It did not take long for me to sort out my banking affairs. I repaid my family the money that they lent me as soon as I could. Then I gave away more things, and moved my stuff to the smallest locker in the storage facility.  Hopefully when I leave Vancouver in 2018, I would not need to rent a locker anymore. I am getting closer to the ultimate goal of owning no more than two suitcases of clothes and a few boxes of personal belongings.

There is a severe shortage of rental units in Vancouver; however, I was able to find a furnished basement suite in a well-kept house in East Vancouver. Since there is cable in the house, I watched a lot of Chinese programs on TV. My Chinese language skills have improved a great deal as a result. I also tried out a lot of healthy fusion recipes. The Catholic Church is a 15-minute walk away. In addition to the obligatory Sunday mass, I participated in bible study on Wednesday evenings. My daily routine also includes a 30 – 60 minute walk.

There were many first times for me this year. Because I did not have to be my mother’s caregiver, I had a lot of spare time on my hands. I participated in many research studies and volunteered at community events in the summer. I no longer had to do things for other people. I visited places in Metro Vancouver that I had not visited before. It had been a long time since I read a book at leisure. Well, I read four non-fictional books this summer. Ah, I now know what being retired is all about.

Ships to Shore Festival in Steveston

My general health is good except for the eczema problem that seems to linger on. Maybe I have been away for too long and became allergic to the moist climate of Vancouver. I am not too worried about this skin problem because I will be embarking on another epic journey along the routes of the Silk Road in about three months’ time. I am grateful for all the wonderful gifts that God has bestowed upon me this year.

Sex, Drugs & Video Games

What do sex, drugs and video games have in common? All three activities are highly addictive. In modern societies, people do not have to devote most of their time for survival. We have become lazy, bored and obsessed with these activities more than ever. Pornography is an 8 billion USD industry in the U.S. in 2012 according to Time Magazine. The UN estimates global illicit drug industry to be 400 billion USD per year in 1998. The U.S. gaming industry is roughly 20.5 billion USD in 2014 according to Wikipedia. Unfortunately, I could not locate figures for Canada.

On December 12th, 2016, the federal government passed Bill C37 which emphasized a strategy of harm reduction for the hard-core drug addicts. It is now legally easier to set up more safe, supervised injection sites (a.k.a. consumption sites). There is also a great push to decriminalize and even legalize marijuana at all three levels of government in Canada. Increasing amounts of resources are deployed to rescue the Opioid overdosed addicts, so much so that the City of Vancouver proposed to raise property tax to fund more consumption sites and wider distribution of Naloxone kits. Fentanyl overdose deaths are at a crisis level in Vancouver.

The pornography issue is just as worrisome in Canada. I was brought up to think that men and women could be platonic friends; men and women could connect at intellectual or emotional level. Not any more. Back in the pre-internet age, when men had sexual urges, they would read dirty magazines or find themselves prostitutes to satisfy their need. Today sex addicts prey on children, place obscene pictures/videos on social media or have cyber sex with other online users. I was informed by a long-time male friend that Canadian men usually do not want to marry their sex partners. They are also too cheap to pay for sex and/or are worried about getting sexually transmitted diseases from hookers. Women are treated as no more than sex objects.

Children are not the only ones that would spend all their waking moments playing video games. Pokemon Go was a big hit for a short time in the city, and managed to get some people to go outside. Otherwise, video games normally render the players inactive and anti-social. The most obvious side- effect of continuous video game playing is neck strain. The other effects include accidents caused by lack of attention, absenteeism, lack of reality perception, overloading of senses resulting in psychological problems, etc. A more far reaching effect is the production of "Zombie" generation who is deficient in human characteristics.

A few decades ago, we were taught to pursue material things, and work hard to forget the hurt and pain inherent in a competitive society. Many of us cannot find purpose in our lives, and use these vices to fill our empty lives. I think if we can figure out what we like to do, we can substitute these three addictive activities with less harmful hobbies. For example, women can knit sweaters, and men can make furniture for the poor in lieu of sex, drugs and video games. Better still, we should maintain a balance of body, mind & spirit by getting to know ourselves really well.

God Bless America.

The American people are going to elect their 45th president in two days. The fate of the country and the world for a large part will be affected by the results of this election. My prayers are with the people of the United States of America.

According to the 2014 report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), nine nations - the United States, Russia, United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea - possess approximately 16,300 nuclear weapons in total. Russia and the United States have reduced their inventories but still account for more than 93% of all operational nuclear warheads. As an "insurance" measure, the "Norwegian Nobel Committee decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009 was to be awarded to President Barack Obama for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples." I am apprehensive that awarding a Nobel Peace Prize to another American president in less than ten years would cause worldwide unrest, if not, a nuclear war started by a smaller nation.

I grew up believing that only the morally upright individuals with extraordinarily abilities should govern the countries. According to Confucius,  the power by which men are ruled, comes from moral example (the whole art of government consists in the art of being honest).
1. The patterns of prestige are used in the service of governance of the country.
2. Government is good if it can maintain
a. economic sufficiency,
b. military sufficiency, and
c. confidence of the people.

It is indeed very difficult to choose between a hypocrite and a morally bankrupt person. Neither of these two candidates has actually presented new policies or reform plans. I do not know the American political system well enough to determine how their respective political parties or Congress could influence the decisions of the future president. I am however aware of the strong influence of the lobbyists and the presidential veto power.

A few doomsday prophecies foretell that Mr. Obama would be the last American president. This prediction might become reality because large corporations and/or interest groups could now become the policy maker behind the scene. The rich becomes extremely rich, the poor extremely poor and nothing in between. The president will be no more than a figure head wielding a lot of military power. Can the voters be assured that corruption would be kept to a minimum at the White House?

My simple prayer is that God Bless America during this critical time and the upcoming four years. May our American neighbors have the strength and conscience to deal with the challenges to come. I am certain that true leaders with impeccable integrity would surface from a population of 320 million by 2020.