Have
you ever wondered that longevity or illnesses of a person has close association
to one’s character and how he/she behaves or what they do?
you ever wondered that longevity or illnesses of a person has close association
to one’s character and how he/she behaves or what they do?
Relax
Lah!
Lah!
If
we become are too uptight or nitty-gritty over even the slightest things in
life, and cannot relax, we can be prone to sickness unknowingly. It can be a
sickness so serious that the doctors or ourself will find it hard to know why.
This is when we will start examining on the things we eat, our exercise
activity that frankly none is the real cause.
we become are too uptight or nitty-gritty over even the slightest things in
life, and cannot relax, we can be prone to sickness unknowingly. It can be a
sickness so serious that the doctors or ourself will find it hard to know why.
This is when we will start examining on the things we eat, our exercise
activity that frankly none is the real cause.
Here
is a list of several reasons why you cannot relax: Career issues; relationship
problems; eagerness to be successful; impatient; the character of extreme
non-procrastination and most commonly the chase of wealth. As for chasing
money, this not just applies to the poor, but also the rich who have
over-emphasis one the importance of wealth. Remember:
is a list of several reasons why you cannot relax: Career issues; relationship
problems; eagerness to be successful; impatient; the character of extreme
non-procrastination and most commonly the chase of wealth. As for chasing
money, this not just applies to the poor, but also the rich who have
over-emphasis one the importance of wealth. Remember:
“Love
of money is the root of all evil”
of money is the root of all evil”
An
ex-colleague of mine said this on one of my ex-VP (both Europeans), who is
always so uptight. “Even he is lying on the beach in Hawaii, he also
never relax!”
ex-colleague of mine said this on one of my ex-VP (both Europeans), who is
always so uptight. “Even he is lying on the beach in Hawaii, he also
never relax!”
Apparently
this ex-VP of mine then had a brain stroke in his 40s after him overworked
himself after transferring to Singapore office. It happened one day, when he
woke up cannot even remember his name, his wife nor his children. God bless and
after several months of rest, he recovered!
this ex-VP of mine then had a brain stroke in his 40s after him overworked
himself after transferring to Singapore office. It happened one day, when he
woke up cannot even remember his name, his wife nor his children. God bless and
after several months of rest, he recovered!
My
own illness experience
own illness experience
For
more than a decade, I was unsettled by intestinal problems. The pain is so
severe that I will end up crouching and holding back my scream until I turn
pale eventually. Not surprisingly, I was hospitalized countless times even
during a Norway business trip. And yes, even have a brush with death.
Thereafter, I was put on expensive medication for years. Even my doctor who is
one of the best intestinal specialists in town is unable to diagnose the source
of my illness till date.
more than a decade, I was unsettled by intestinal problems. The pain is so
severe that I will end up crouching and holding back my scream until I turn
pale eventually. Not surprisingly, I was hospitalized countless times even
during a Norway business trip. And yes, even have a brush with death.
Thereafter, I was put on expensive medication for years. Even my doctor who is
one of the best intestinal specialists in town is unable to diagnose the source
of my illness till date.
Yet,
without any medicinal help, my intestinal pain had miraculously recovered
gradually over the recent years. I am extremely grateful.
without any medicinal help, my intestinal pain had miraculously recovered
gradually over the recent years. I am extremely grateful.
Looking
back, I kind of attribute my illness to my over-zealous work attitude in the
past. Furthermore, I tend to take things too hard back then. I was the classic
non-procrastinator who always wanted to get things done immediately. And if it
is not done within my plan or schedule, I will be edgy and mad.
back, I kind of attribute my illness to my over-zealous work attitude in the
past. Furthermore, I tend to take things too hard back then. I was the classic
non-procrastinator who always wanted to get things done immediately. And if it
is not done within my plan or schedule, I will be edgy and mad.
An
ex-colleague who was ten years my senior in age, told me lately that he used to
be quite afraid of me because I am fierce and overly competitive especially in
work. In contrast, he had seen noticeably change in me in recent times. The
same feedback was from people close to me.
ex-colleague who was ten years my senior in age, told me lately that he used to
be quite afraid of me because I am fierce and overly competitive especially in
work. In contrast, he had seen noticeably change in me in recent times. The
same feedback was from people close to me.
I
am less emotionally affected nowadays, especially in certain things that I deem
relatively immaterial in my life to get worked up over.
am less emotionally affected nowadays, especially in certain things that I deem
relatively immaterial in my life to get worked up over.
Perhaps
we need to be more open minded, more inner peace leading to more self-control,
to have more experiences, and more wisdom leading to better decision-making in
life. Perhaps we should be seeking for “Enlightenment in life!” Mediation
definitely plays a big role too.
we need to be more open minded, more inner peace leading to more self-control,
to have more experiences, and more wisdom leading to better decision-making in
life. Perhaps we should be seeking for “Enlightenment in life!” Mediation
definitely plays a big role too.
Longevity
and value investing
and value investing
Recently
I finished reading Teh Hooi Ling’s “Show Me the Money Book 3”.
I finished reading Teh Hooi Ling’s “Show Me the Money Book 3”.
She
highlighted the close and distinct link between a person’s longevity and the
things they do. Teh mentioned that Value investors live much longer than
average person. One of the reasons is because they are not so emotionally
affected and sleep better at night. Also they are not so highly strung and has
a stress level lower than those who chase after the market and whose mood swings
along with it.
highlighted the close and distinct link between a person’s longevity and the
things they do. Teh mentioned that Value investors live much longer than
average person. One of the reasons is because they are not so emotionally
affected and sleep better at night. Also they are not so highly strung and has
a stress level lower than those who chase after the market and whose mood swings
along with it.
Evidently,
Benjamin Graham, Warren Buffett’s mentor died at age 82 in 1976 which is
considered a good long life back then. Another of Graham’s disciple is Irving
Kahn who died last year at age 109. Then you have John Templeton who passed away
at age 95, Philip Fisher age 96 and Philip Carret age 101. Warren Buffett and
Charlie Munger, currently 85 and 92 years of age respectively are still very
active in today’s world of investment.
Benjamin Graham, Warren Buffett’s mentor died at age 82 in 1976 which is
considered a good long life back then. Another of Graham’s disciple is Irving
Kahn who died last year at age 109. Then you have John Templeton who passed away
at age 95, Philip Fisher age 96 and Philip Carret age 101. Warren Buffett and
Charlie Munger, currently 85 and 92 years of age respectively are still very
active in today’s world of investment.
Stay
active mentally
active mentally
An
extremely common trait you can find in people with longevity is that they are
very active mentally despite the old age. In fact, I believe many old people
who have Alzheimer after retirement is because of the lack of “interesting
things” in life that they are passionate over it. And this is important to keep
their mind active to ward of Alzheimer illness.
extremely common trait you can find in people with longevity is that they are
very active mentally despite the old age. In fact, I believe many old people
who have Alzheimer after retirement is because of the lack of “interesting
things” in life that they are passionate over it. And this is important to keep
their mind active to ward of Alzheimer illness.
For
value investors, picking stocks that can beat the market is quite a brain
training as well.
value investors, picking stocks that can beat the market is quite a brain
training as well.
Real
life examples
life examples
One
of my two ex-bosses, Mr. C who retired a year ago, appeared haggard lately. Strangely,
he who has all the money in the world, plus a complete family with kids all
grown up successfully in work, does not seem to me as very happy in a recent
meet up. He did not say it, but I do sense it.
of my two ex-bosses, Mr. C who retired a year ago, appeared haggard lately. Strangely,
he who has all the money in the world, plus a complete family with kids all
grown up successfully in work, does not seem to me as very happy in a recent
meet up. He did not say it, but I do sense it.
I
remembered when we were working together many years ago, Mr. C was always
glowing with energy and so work-driven. He was decisive, and blessed
with a mind crystal clear and photographic memory. Overall, he is also
compassionate, packed with wisdom and a very well respected mentor for me.
remembered when we were working together many years ago, Mr. C was always
glowing with energy and so work-driven. He was decisive, and blessed
with a mind crystal clear and photographic memory. Overall, he is also
compassionate, packed with wisdom and a very well respected mentor for me.
While
he may not be as rich in the past compares to today, I sense that the
satisfaction Mr. C derived from work back then is far more important than the
current EXCESS TIME & MONEY he had today!
he may not be as rich in the past compares to today, I sense that the
satisfaction Mr. C derived from work back then is far more important than the
current EXCESS TIME & MONEY he had today!
This
is the harsh reality check for many people who merely looked forward to
financial freedom and retirement, and yet is totally unprepared or unaware what
they want to do eventually when the big day arrived. Even the wisest and
wealthiest Mr. C I respected so much, may have fallen into this trap, let alone
many other people.
is the harsh reality check for many people who merely looked forward to
financial freedom and retirement, and yet is totally unprepared or unaware what
they want to do eventually when the big day arrived. Even the wisest and
wealthiest Mr. C I respected so much, may have fallen into this trap, let alone
many other people.
In
contrast, my other boss Mr. Y, who is older in age, is healthy and looking
really good recently. He told me he is even busier today than he used to be in
the company managing a business of hundreds of millions. This is because he has
found the true purpose in his life. Using his abundance of knowledge,
experiences in life and wisdom to educate, help and spread the love to people
around him not just in within Singapore, but outside the country as well.
contrast, my other boss Mr. Y, who is older in age, is healthy and looking
really good recently. He told me he is even busier today than he used to be in
the company managing a business of hundreds of millions. This is because he has
found the true purpose in his life. Using his abundance of knowledge,
experiences in life and wisdom to educate, help and spread the love to people
around him not just in within Singapore, but outside the country as well.
Finding
the purpose in life
the purpose in life
As
Teh HL rightly put it “Longevity stems from the love of life in
general.” This is of course excluding scientific reason such as genes
or reasons of accident causing death.
Teh HL rightly put it “Longevity stems from the love of life in
general.” This is of course excluding scientific reason such as genes
or reasons of accident causing death.
She
further said,
further said,
“rich
or poor, I think that to survive to a ripe in an old age, people must have
something that keeps them going. It can be a cause of champion, the pursuit of
a life-long passion or that they see a grander purpose in their lives.”
or poor, I think that to survive to a ripe in an old age, people must have
something that keeps them going. It can be a cause of champion, the pursuit of
a life-long passion or that they see a grander purpose in their lives.”
Referring
to the magazine The Economist, Teh specifically mentioned her
favorite is the obituary column that typically profiled people who achieved a
great deal by making the world a better place. Taking 50 past issues of the
column, she discovered an interesting fact as shown in the table below about
the age of certain group of people.
to the magazine The Economist, Teh specifically mentioned her
favorite is the obituary column that typically profiled people who achieved a
great deal by making the world a better place. Taking 50 past issues of the
column, she discovered an interesting fact as shown in the table below about
the age of certain group of people.
So the group that
has the greatest longevity is Curator (or keeper of a cultural heritage
institution e.g., gallery, museum, library or archive). Next is activist such
as Doris Haddock who walked 3,200 miles to campaign for US electoral reforms
and Miep Gies who sheltered for Anne Frank’s family. All lived at least a
century of age.
has the greatest longevity is Curator (or keeper of a cultural heritage
institution e.g., gallery, museum, library or archive). Next is activist such
as Doris Haddock who walked 3,200 miles to campaign for US electoral reforms
and Miep Gies who sheltered for Anne Frank’s family. All lived at least a
century of age.
Scientist
is the next biggest group with median age of 95. People using words in their
profession, such as artists and those in military and religion lived above 90.
is the next biggest group with median age of 95. People using words in their
profession, such as artists and those in military and religion lived above 90.
At
the other end is the group after pop art star such as Michael Jackson, is the
group that engaged in outdoor activities such as climber John Bachar, crocodile
savior John Thorbjarnrson. Politicians also have one of the shortest median
lifespan. Refer to table below.
the other end is the group after pop art star such as Michael Jackson, is the
group that engaged in outdoor activities such as climber John Bachar, crocodile
savior John Thorbjarnrson. Politicians also have one of the shortest median
lifespan. Refer to table below.
Teh
HL ‘s conclusion for longevity is as follows which I agreed fully.
Grander
purpose
purpose
Attitude
in life
in life
None
were overweight
were overweight
Active
in mind / body
in mind / body
Enough
financially to last that long
financially to last that long
Related
posts:
posts:
Rolf’s
Matrix Series:
Matrix Series:
Hi Rolf,
Great post! I'll take the lessons well. I think in the past I was too strung up too, always aiming for perfection. It's only recently that I started to relax a little. It takes a long time to unwind a stretched spring.
I love my job too much (but not the intensity). I think I'll continue working even after reaching FI. Work is not just a source of income, it's also where I think I can be most beneficial to society and I will want to contribute until I can't.
Thanks for the post again 🙂
Hi LP,
Thanks for the compliments and I glad you manage to wind down. I always look up to you with utmost respect on your passion and devotion to your job.
I am sure it is not even easy to relate this to majority of the working class today. Just ask around …
Every job has their pros and cons and ups and downs, be it corporate, civil service, your own company, or even as a stay home dad/wife! The focus has to be on the pros more than the cons, otherwise we will feel quite miserable and yet can do little in the short or medium term.
Eventually like you, I will prefer to do something that can contribute more to the society rather than all the corporate rubbish employees have to endure most of the times. Let us all do our part for the better of this country and our future generations.
Rolf,
Ah! Ikigai – the reason we get up in the morning 😉
I've always been the "agar agar du hor" (estimate can already) kind of person.
My problem is the reverse; I can be too "tidak apa"…
One thing I've discovered by sheer luck is that by being "still" – I can better listen to my body, and hear what my heart is trying to tell me all this time 😉
Hi Jared,
Thanks for enriching me on “ikigai”. I looked up on it will like to share the following to readers:
In the article named Ikigai — jibun no kanosei, kaikasaseru katei ("Ikigai: the process of allowing the self's possibilities to blossom") Kobayashi Tsukasa says that "people can feel real ikigai only when, on the basis of personal maturity, the satisfaction of various desires, love and happiness, encounters with others, and a sense of the value of life, they proceed toward self-realization."
The attitude of a man going uphill and downhill is entirely different. Perhaps using the same approach and having the same attitude towards different situations at all times is also not so appropriate.
I like the part on being still very much!
Hi Rolf,
Don't need to have a grander purpose.
Simple folks have simpler purposes
Just have a purpose is enough.
Like if you can help, help to the extend you can.
And not force yourself to do it.
Most important you can look at anyone into their eyes and not turn away in shame in your heart.
Hi temperament,
Yes I know what u mean n u r right. Guess the author has the same meaning as u but just the word description differs.
Bcos if u say just have "purpose", to some what if that "purpose" in life is ''to eat, sleep, "nuah" and only they happy at the expense of others!''
🙂
Yea… the heart must be upright!
Billy Graham asked "is ur heart right?"
http://youtu.be/7zkGvXnhYwE
Rolf,
Nice post. When we achieve emotional balance, either through grander purpose or whatever, the longevity does not matter.
I would rather not live past 90. Even if I am healthy and had money … Of course, not that we have a choice then.
Rolf,
Thinking about it, i used to be a "cheongster" at work too. Now not so much. I saw my younger staff cheonging now…
Maybe we see it as wisdom, they see us as "old" hahah
Hi LP,
Yes agree with what u said.
Sometimes emotional control is easier said than done, because we are afterall human beings and not robots! And some traits are inherited or via environment when we were young.
We cannot change the past. But we can change the future.
It's not easy but at the very least we must realise and accept our flaws n apologise of wrong and have the grit to go agst our comfort zone to change it. Gradually also ok… so that people around us will benefit from our change and have a better life also.
Looking at the juniors, all I can say is 必经之路!
But maybe if we find it worthwhile n if it is beneficial for people who matters, imagine we have wisdom, and yet still can Cheong, then it will be wow! hehehe…!
One day, I will very much like in a sector that can educate and pass it on too, just like u and LP.