As most parts of the world become increasingly cosmopolitan, we find ourselves having to learn to live and work alongside our counterparts from other races and countries, who may not share the same culture, beliefs and values as us. But the inevitable phenomenon of globalisation has brought about an unexpected amount of tolerance amongst different groups of people, whose lives become entwined together through their social or business network. In fact, some have found love in another race.

As the world celebrates love in this month of February, we are reminded once again about how powerful love can be. Love can transcend all barriers to bring two very different people together to share their lives and thoughts. In fact, it can even bring together people from very different cultural backgrounds.

In this time and day, it is amazing how many inter-racial relationships we are witnessing over the years. The world has become a melting pot of different cultures, religions and values. From the far west to our own backyard in Singapore, inter-racial couples have become the norm of modernisation. It doesn’t matter whether they share the same national language or not, these inter-racial couples are not lost in translation as they immerse themselves in the world’s common language – love. Let’s toast to love this season as we set aside our own prejudices to embrace one of the greatest gifts on earth.

Here are some of the most prominent inter-racial couples of our times:

• 46-year-old renowned Hong Kong celebrity, Maggie Cheung and 39-year-old German architect beau, Ole Scheeren, the man behind Beijing’s CCTV Tower and Singapore’s new iconic development, The Interlace condominium.
• Richard Stanley, the late ex-CEO of DBS and Singaporean wife, Koh Li Peng
• Singapore’s Minister for National Development, Mah Bow Tan and Australian wife Dr. Sheryn Kaye Von Senden
• Singer and guitarist, the late John Lennon, who was a member of the illustrious English rock band, the Beatles; and his Japanese artist-cum-musician wife Yoko Ono
• Bruce Lee, the martial arts legend and American teacher, Linda Cadwell
• Prominent Indian political figure, Sonia Gandhi, who is an Italian and late husband, Rajiv Gandhi, son of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi
• Former US Defense Secretary, William Cohen and journalist Janet Langhart

On the other hand, I have also noticed people complaining that they should have done certain things in the past.  They would often say “if I knew that things would turn out in this way, I would have done it better” or “I should have knew it, I would not have done it”.  These people are living in guilt.  Deep inside their heart, they feel guilty because they thought they could have done better.

So the best way to live our life is to treasure every moment of it.  We should feel grateful and rejoice for the each day as long as we live.  We should “seize the day” just as Professor John Keating (played by Robin Williams) inspires his students in the movie Dead Poets Society.

We should never let these 2 days – tomorrw and yesterday, to trouble us again.  Instead, we should concentrate all our effort and energy to make each passing day as the best day in our life.  In fact, all of us should resolve to make each passing day as their best day – giving oneself wholeheartedly in his family, his work and interest.  The joy and purpose of each day will give whole new meaning to our life.

If everyone of us would give their best shot for each day, no longer living in fear of tomorrow or guilt about their past, I truely believe this world will be a better and happier place to live in.

Many times we tend to translate differently, things that are happening around us. Some people may tell you, “You must have woken up from the wrong side of the bed today!” But if you stop or slow down to reflect on the events, you may find that, if you go with the flow, things are not as bad as they seem!

Today, in this period of global recession, you may think losing a job is bad. But taking a step back, this might be a time of consolidation, a time for you to slow down and think of what you really want. Most of us are so caught up with the rat race, that we stop to care for others, be with our families, spend time with friends. What will all these translate into in the end? Life is definitely not like a piece of english document translated into a chinese one within days. Whatever you do now, will translate into something else down your life path perhaps in a matter of years!

So, start thinking about how you ultimately want your life to be, and how you want to start “translating” it into now…

Back to translation. For those who are learning a third language, it is also important to immerse yourself into that environment so that you can pick it up faster. Non-native linguists who stay for long in a country would tend to understand even the localised terms. A language comes together with the culture. Thus building language bridges would allow one to build culture bridges as well!

Many successful people would tell you that self-awareness is the first key step to get the result that we want in life.  Through self-awareness, we know what we actually want deep inside our heart and mind.  Henceforth, we will take massive action with great passion and energy  to achieve the goals in our life.

Many people learn based on their personal experience and feeling to find out what they want actually in life.  In a way, a lot of time and effort is wasted.  Many more people are still in the midst of finding their true self. Are you one of those people?

Recently, I get to know about Dermatoglyphics. Dermatoglyphics is the scientific study of fingerprints and how it is co-related to our behavioral and personality. Our fingerprint will never change for the rest of our life. Quite interestingly, the study done in this field is highly detailed and accurate.

Is it important to know about oneself?

The more you learn about yourself – how you think, how you feel, what is your true purpose is and how you want to live – the more your life will flow. Hence this will translate into a better life and having great friends and colleagues.

Beside knowing yourself better, it would also give a good gauge of the other person modality and personality.  It would definitely bridge the gap in your communication and understanding of the other person.

I have still a lot more to learn in this field – Dermatoglyphics.  Will definitely keep you posted for any new insights.

Here are some toxic personalities and how you can spot them, as quoted on an internet article I chance upon recently:-

1. Manipulative Mary: These individuals are experts at manipulation tactics.  Is a matter of fact, you may not even realize you have been manipulated until it is too late.  These individuals figure out what your ‘buttons’ are, and push them to get what they want.

   Why they are toxic: These people have a way of eating away at your belief system and self-esteem.  They find ways to make you do things that you don’t necessarily want to do and before you know it, you lose your sense of identity, your personal priorities and your ability to see the reality of the situation.  The world all of a sudden becomes centered around their needs and their priorities.

2. Narcissistic Nancy: These people have an extreme sense of self-importance and believe that the world revolves around them.  They are often not as sly as the Manipulative Marys of the world, but instead, tend to be a bit overt about getting their needs met.  You often want to say to them “It isn’t always about you.

   Why they are toxic: They are solely focused on their needs, leaving your needs in the dust.  You are left disappointed and unfulfilled.  Further, they zap your energy by getting you to focus so much on them, that you have nothing left for yourself.

3. Debbie Downers: These people can’t appreciate the positive in life.  If you tell them that it is a beautiful day, they will tell you about the impending dreary forecast.  If you tell them you aced a mid-term, they’ll tell you about how difficult the final is going to be.

   Why they are toxic: They take the joy out of everything.  Your rosy outlook on life continues to get squashed with negativity.  Before you know it, their negativity consumes you and you start looking at things with gray colored glasses yourself.

4. Judgmental Jims: When you see things as cute and quirky, they see things as strange and unattractive.  If you find people’s unique perspectives refreshing, they find them ‘wrong’.  If you like someone’s eclectic taste, they find it ‘disturbing’ or ‘bad’.

   Why they are toxic: Judgmental people are much like Debbie Downers.  In a world where freedom rings, judgment is sooo over.  If the world was a homogeneous place, life would be pretty boring.  Spending a lot of time with these types can inadvertently convert you into a judgmental person as well.
   

5. Dream Killing Keiths: Every time you have an idea, these people tell you why you can’t do it.  As you achieve, they try to pull you down.  As you dream, they are the first to tell you it is impossible.

   Why they are toxic: These people are stuck in what is instead of what could be.  Further, these individuals eat away at your self-esteem and your belief in yourself.  Progress and change can only occur from doing new things and innovating, dreaming the impossible and reaching for the stars.

6. Insincere Illissas: You never quite feel that these people are being sincere.  You tell a funny story, they give you a polite laugh.  You feel depressed and sad and they give you a ‘there, there’ type response.  You tell them you are excited about something and you get a very ho-hum response.

   Why they are toxic: People who aren’t sincere or genuine build relationships on superficial criteria.  This breeds shallow, meaningless relationships.  When you are really in need of a friend, they won’t be there.  When you really need constructive criticism, they would rather tell you that you are great the way you are.  When you need support, they would rather see you fail or make a fool of yourself.

7. Disrespectful Dannys: These people will say or do things at the most inappropriate times and in the most inappropriate ways.  In essence, they are more subtle, grown up bullies.  Maybe this person is a friend who you confided in and uses your secret against you.  Maybe it is a family member who puts their busy-body nose into your affairs when it is none of their business.  Or maybe, it is a colleague who says demeaning things to you.

   Why they are toxic: These people have no sense of boundaries and don’t respect your feelings or, for that matter, your privacy.  These people will cause you to feel frustrated and disrespected.

8. Never Enough Nellies: You can never give enough to these people to make them happy.  They take you for granted and have unrealistic expectations of you.  They find ways to continually fault you and never take responsibility for anything themselves.

   Why they are toxic: You will spend so much time trying to please them, that you will end up losing yourself in the process.  They will require all of your time and energy, leaving you worn out and your own needs sacrificed.

All of these personalities have several things in common. 
1) the more these people get away with their behavior, the more they will continue. 
2) Unfortunately, most of these people don’t see that what they do is wrong and as a result, talking to them about it will fall on deaf ears, leaving you wondering if you are the crazy one. 
3) Most of these people get worse with age, making their impact on you stronger with time.

Frankly, life is too short to spend your time dealing with toxicity.  If you can, avoid spending too much time with people who are indicative of these behaviors and you will feel a lot happier. Have you encountered these personalities?  What have you done?  Any personalities you would add?

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk

Then in Yahoo today…I watched another singing sensation.  She is 10-years old Hollie Steel.  She also appeared in the same show.  She totally impressed the whole audiences and judges.Now the news are battling which of them has a higher chance in winning the show.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxsAJNroN7k&annotation_id=annotation_431561&feature=iv

In my personal view, both of them are talented in their own way.  And they are already winners in their life.

The point that I wish to say is that all of us is talented in own way.  Some is talented in arts, some in musical, some in maths and science, some in their motor skill, some in human connection, some excel in writing while others in  leadership.  The list goes on and on.

While some of us know where our talents or gifts lie, most of us would just live day to day.  They would never find out who they truely can become.  Whatever you think you are, you would become one.

I always thought that I am not good in communciation.  I do not like to make new friends and I prefer to be alone.   Hence I am poor in my human relationship.  I choose to be a equipment engineer  in the beginning of my career.  Prefer talking and solving machine problem rather than human, I would think.

By a twist of fate and reading many books (one of the books is The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino), I find myself entering into sales career.  I take it up as a challenge to myself.  I fall in love with my choice as I found out that human interaction is not bad after all.  No man is an island.  It is a joy to share your happiness and laughter with them.  If you see your friend or client frowning, I would give them a smile.  When they smile back, it makes a big difference to my day.

All of us is talented in one way or another…you just need to take a small step each day to know yourself better.  And lastly, have faith and belief in yourself that you are in this Earth for a purpose.

By the way, I am going to watch the movie X-Men Origins: Wolverine soon.  I will keep you update.  Cheers!

We had a wonderful dinner at Bubba Gump Shrimp restaurant.  Yes, it is a American franchise restaurant set up in KL city.  We did not have a chance to eat in US on my previous trip, so I told myself  that I must give it a try this time.

The whole restaurant ambience is fantastic and the waiters are friendly.  It is like u are just been to a truely US restaurant.  Because it is based on “Forrest Gump” concept, so you can see a lots of collection and quotes reminding you from the movies itself.  Well, who can ever forget Forrest after you have watched the movie.

Upon the restaurant wall, I just happened to see this quotes: “My Mama always said you’ve got to put the past behind you before you can move on”   A simple quote but with deeper meanings in it.

I have known people carrying the burden of their past mistakes, regrets and guilt with them.  To prove that they are still living, they would never unload these burden.  They would rather tied to their past than to move forward towards a better life.  I feel that they are like living zombies feeding on to their past.  They have lost the sight for future.  They are just like a prisoner who has thrown the cell key outside.

I feel that all are just  illusions that we create to trap ourselves.  We should also open the key to unlock from our prison too.  All we need to do is to forgive ourself and others that have hurt us.  This simple act of love for oneself and others is our key to unlock ourselves from the invisible prison that we have created.  It will lessen our burden.  This will make our life journey a lighter and pleasant one.

Hence, are you ready “to put the past behind” and “move on” to a better life?  Well, I am positive of it.  And I am looking forward to my next trip.  Cheers!

Usually, I would play a motivation cd in my little “cargo van”  to perk myself up mentally…if the physical exercise did not work on me.  Today, I am listening to Joe Girard.  In case, you are wondering who is Joe Girard.  He is the world’s Greatest Salesman.  During his 15 year selling career, he had sold 13,001 new cars and trucks, and all at retail.  This is a guiness record and is still has not been broken yet.

While listening to the cd, my attention is drawn to him mentioning that “honesty is the best policy”.  I truely agreed with him that when faced with a difficult situation and if we are caught in between, it would be wise that we own up to our fault and tell the truth to our friends and colleagues.

If we betray the trust between both parties, we might not win back that trust again.  This is especially true in our translation work.  If we find out that certain terms are not properly translated, then we need to highlight to the client.  The client will definitely not be pleased to hear about the mistakes.  We will also be reprimand by them.

But at least, we are able to maintain the friendship between both parties.  If we admit to our mistakes with the best intention of resolving the issues, our client will understand it and accept us better.  In a way, we may even solidify the working relationship further.

I truely believe that Honesty is even more important in our everyday’s dealing be it in business, our working place or with our loved ones than ever before.

In this book, Og featured The Ten Vows of Success.  The subject title belongs to the Fifth Vow.  Og explained each Vow in such simplicity that it is easily understood by the readers.  I truly believe whoever reads it will benefit tremendously from his knowledge.

In this Vow, I have learnt that “Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve my performance the next time”.  And never will I allow “The fear of adversity leading to failure casts a terrible shadow on all the days of our life”.    This is because “Experience is the most valuable extract of suffering and yet one of the terrible conditions of this life is that its wisdom cannot be transferred to another.”

“I understand, for the first time, how swiftly all deeds and events, good and bad, large and small, pass on and are no more, the works of man as well as the works of nature.”  I can only be stronger through my experience as “All things in life are not only in a constant state of change but they are the cause of constant and infinite change in each other.”

I will take accountability for all bad events that happen to me.  Never will I shift the responsibility to others.  I will become the best that I can be from each learning experience.  Always will I seek the seed of truimph in every adversity.