Steve Jobs' Stanford Commencement Address in 2005: “Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.”

Please click here for Steve Job’s commencement speech at Stanford University in 2005 where he shared 3 stories.











For your reading pleasure, the following excerpts have been highlighted:-

1. Story about Connecting the Dots
“You can’t connect all the dots (of your life) looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something – your gut, destiny, life, … whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.”

2. Story about Love and Loss
“But something slowly began to dawn on me – I still loved what I did. The turn of events at Apple had not changed that one bit. I had been rejected, but I was still in love. And so I decided to start over.

I didn’t see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life.”

“Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith. I’m convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You’ve got to find what you love.”

3. Story about Death
“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything -- all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment of failure -- these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important.”

“Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your inner voice. And, most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”



Concluding Remarks:
“Stewart (Brand) and his team put out several issues of The Whole Earth Catalog, and then when it had run its course, they put out a final issue. On the back cover of their final issue was a photograph of an early morning country road. Beneath it were the words: “Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.” It was their farewell message as they signed off. Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish. And I have always wished that for myself. And now, as you graduate to begin anew, I wish that for you. Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.”

The Key to HAPPINESS

The key to happiness is having the ability to direct and manage our own neurophysiological state. When we are in a resourceful or enabling state, we are full of confidence, courage, power, enthusiasm, … and happy! On the other hand, when we are in a paralyzing, pathetic or limiting state, we succumb to fear, discouragement, negative self-talk, frustration, … and sadness L.

“Happiness depends upon ourselves.” -- Aristotle

Now that we have the key to happiness, we need to learn to approach the door to happiness by understanding that our state or well-being is created by: i) internal representations; and ii) the condition and use of our physiology.

As explained by Anthony Robbins in his book “Unlimited Power”, Internal Representations consist of what and how we picture in our mind as well as what and how we say and hear in our mind. In short, what is our perception and assessment of our environment, that is, the events or circumstances affecting us.

“It is the mind that maketh good or ill, that maketh wretch or happy, rich or poor.” – Edmund Spenser

Given the myriad of signals or stimuli impacting us, the brain will filter and store what is useful and necessary at our behest and allows our conscious mind to ignore the rest. For example, when talking to someone seated with us in a buzzling café, we activate our brain to focus on the conversation at hand and ignore the load of distractions around us. Also, if we have just missed the train by 3 seconds, we could tell ourselves that we are early for the next train (and be happy) rather than blame ourselves and/or everybody else.

Physiology encompasses our posture, biochemistry, diet (what we eat), how we breathe, energy and muscular relaxation or tension. The condition of our physiology will affect the way we experience and represent our world. For example, when we do not have sufficient sleep, we will find that our ability to make decisions and handle stress will be impaired.

Another example would be to fast or cut down on our intake of calories by, say, eating less for lunch, and thereafter feel the extra oomph of energy as the body burns some fat. (Note: Fasting is a no-no for pregnant women and those of us who are underweight or having a medical condition where fasting is not advisable.)

Thus, we are in a state of flux as our internal representations and physiology are constantly interacting with each other and affecting each other to create the state that we experience.

However, we can take control of our state by directing our internal representations and taking care of our physiology. If we want to achieve a State of Happiness, we unlock the door to happiness by turning over our weak state with a mixture or blend of internal representations and physiology that would elevate us onto tip-top condition. More happiness to you every day!

For Your Inspiration  

The great news is that once we are in an energetic or happy state, our behaviour will reflect our inner state, enabling us to say positive things and pursue our passions – and make the world a better place one person at a time. Permit me to share with you, now, on what world changers such as Hellen Keller and Nick Vujicic has said about happiness.

Drawing inspiration from Hellen Keller who said that true happiness comes through “fidelity to a worthy purpose”, Nick Vujicic -- who was born without arms or legs,  wrote in his devotional (“Limitless”) that happiness means ”being faithful to your gifts, growing them, sharing them, and taking joy in them. …You’ll find contentment when your talents and passion are completely engaged and in full force.”

 Bibliography

1.   Section I, Chapter III, “Unlimited Power” by Anthony Robbins

2.   Chapter 6, “Limitless” by Nick Vujicic  

Related post which may be of interest to you:

* You Can Have A Better Brain!

You Can Get Your Fill of Ramen at Home

If you are into ramen and need a quick fix, then this is good news for you.

For your convenience, noodle makers, such as Nissin, offer a value proposition of packaged ramen which you can cook in the comfort of home over a pot of boiling water for the required 4 minutes or so.

Having tried the following Hokkaido miso ramen (a bundle of 5 packets for just under SGD 4.00), I am pleased to say that the stock is flavourful and the ramen is springy, making for a slurping and heartening meal.



Itadakimasu! (or Bon Appetit!)

You may wish to top-up with some meat, egg or vegetables. If you are not accustomed to shopping for fresh produce, then just open a can of sardine and/or sweet corn and you can have a sumptuous bowl of ramen without having to make a trip to your favourite ramen restaurant and still satisfy your craving 24/7.

To the uninitiated, ramen was first served in 1910 when Chinese noodles were combined with Japanese broth. Since then this signature dish has evolved into a quintessential Japanese dish that has been spreading steadily into many parts of the world.

The 4 basic types of ramen are as follows:

1. Shio Ramen (salt ramen) where the broth is clear and derives from a combination of salt, chicken, fish, vegetables and seaweed;

2. Shoyu Ramen (soy sauce ramen) with a clear brown broth by cooking chicken or vegetable in soya sauce;

3. Tonkotsu Ramen (pork bone ramen) where the broth is thick, creamy and milky white as a result of pork marrow bones which have been simmered for hours;and

4. Miso Ramen (fermented soybeans paste ramen) which has a robust and tangy broth based on copious amount of miso blended with chicken or fish stock.

And, if you are sold on it, you may wanna click here to see how you are supposed to eat your ramen like a pro.



  

The Little Girl Who Dared To Wish by Alan D. Shultz

While reading "Chicken Soup for the Soul - Unlocking the Secrets to Living Your Dreams", I came across this eye-cleansing story of Amy Jo Hagadorn who suffers from cerebral palsy and was often teased for her physical challenge.

When a Christmas wish contest came around, she took part and wrote:

"Dear Santa Claus,

 My name is Amy. I am nine years old. I have a problem at school. Can you help me, Santa? Kids laugh at me because of the way I walk and run and talk. I have cerebral palsy. I just want one day where no one laughs at me or makes fun of me.

Love,
Amy "


Click here to read the full story.

Much Ado About a Gate Signage

When passing by a construction side I can well understand the logic of the words for a signage such as the following:-

From the aforesaid wordings it would imply that the gate is to be closed whenever the workers are inside or outside of the secured area. I am sure it did not mean that the gate cannot be opened at certain times or under certain circumstances.

This brings me to the next sign which could well prove to be a strong contender for greater conciseness to say what was meant to be conveyed all along when saying that 'gates must be closed at all times' :-

It is refreshing to have read this different take on the gate signage.


Related posts on words in public places:

* No Letting Up On Words

Oil Paintings by Leonid Afremov

You can relax over a cuppa and view some brilliant oil paintings by Leonid Afremov at his online gallery by clicking here.

For your quick refreshing, please enjoy a handful of his works shown below:-
 

WHEN DREAMS COME TRUE — PALETTE KNIFE Oil Painting On Canvas By Leonid Afremov - Size 30"x40" 













FAREWELL TO AUTUMN— PALETTE KNIFE Oil Painting On Canvas By Leonid Afremov - Size 36"x30"

ITALY, LAKE COMO - VILLA BALBIANELLO — PALETTE KNIFE Oil Painting On Canvas By Leonid Afremov - Size 30"X36"                           

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

       

GERMANY - CLOUDS ABOVE THE RHINE — PALETTE KNIFE Oil Painting On Canvas By Leonid Afremov - Size 54"x40"                                                                                                            

Related post on oil paintings:

* Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)
 

Going Gaga Over Bananas

Bananas never featured much in my diet until recently. It must have been due to a confluence of factors such as the relative ease of peeling a banana over other fruits such as an orange or a papaya, the potential boost of energy from eating a banana (think of Michael Chang munching on bananas during breaks at the French Open) and the filling up of the stomach without having to resort to additional fattening carbohydrates.

Click here to read up on “25 Powerful Reasons to Eat Bananas”, some of which are highlighted below:

*High in potassium and low in salt, bananas are officially recognized by the FDA as being able to lower blood pressure and protect against heart attack and stroke.

*Eating bananas will help prevent kidney cancer, protects the eyes against macular degeneration and builds strong bones by increasing calcium absorption.

*Bananas make you smarter and help with learning by making you more alert. Eat a banana before an exam to benefit from the high levels of potassium.

*Bananas are high in antioxidants, providing protection from free radicals and chronic disease.

*Bananas are high in antioxidants, providing protection from free radicals and chronic disease.

However, as in all things, moderation is the key. Some studies show that eating bananas in excess may cause headaches due to the amino acids in them (more so in overripe bananas) that dilate blood vessels. Also, when bananas are taken in excess, the high tryptophan found in them can cause sleepiness. Moreover, bananas contain sugar which may cause tooth decay in the absence of proper oral hygiene.   

Just for fun, bananas do not grow on trees and the ‘trunk’ of a banana plant is a pseudo-stem. Truth be told, the banana plant is the largest herbaceous flowering plant and bananas are botanically a berry. By the way, the word “banana” comes from the Arab word “banan,” which means finger. No wonder, a bunch of bananas is correctly known as a hand!

Now, take a finger of banana and figure out the word by removing six letters from SBIAXNLEATNTAESRS. (Hint: We are still on the topic of bananas.)


For Related Posts on Health Food, please click on the following:

* Zest Up Your Life With Lemon 

* Manuka Honey

Live Your Dreams by Les Brown

When I think of Les Brown, what comes to mind is "Live You Dreams", a book written by him, which I had read some two decades ago.

Thanks to technology, it has been refreshing to reconnect with Mr Brown's teachings through YouTube after having just watched a Tony Robbins clip.
 
Click here to hear out what he spoke so passionately about at a "Woodstock of the Mind" gathering.

For those of you who are hard pressed for time, this is a mishmash digest, with adaptation, of what I have managed to jot down while listening to him:

"Live Full, Die Empty.

Set some goals: 1) Personal Goals; 2) Professional Goals; and 3) Social Contribution Goals.

Do not take your Dreams, Ideas, Talents and Abilities to your grave.

Shoot for the moon and if you miss you will still land among the stars. 

Tell yourself:

A) It's Possible to live your dreams.

It is the enemy within which hinder us; the enemy outside can do us no harm. Get your dream out of your mind into your greatness. Live great; how you do anything is how you do everything.

B) It's Necessary to believe in your dreams and have a plan.

 I expect to reach my goal.

Recognize the importance of Only Quality People (OQP). Associate with OQPs.

I will fail my way to success. When things go wrong, don't go with them. Look for the lessons, learn from them and move on.

C) It's Me (It's all up to me)

Live full, die empty. I can do more. There is a calling on my life.

D) It's Hard (It's not going to be easy)

When you mess up, hold your head up (and move on).
You gotta be hungry; be persistent (like how he prepared and waited patiently and expectantly for an opportunity to 'break-in' as a disc jockey).

When life knocks you down, try to land on your back. Because if you can look up, you can get up. Let your reason get you back up.

Provide more service than you get paid for.

Impact drives income.

Build relationships."

Get going and set some goals, if not already done so. May the following quote from "Live Your Dreams" propel you to set goals and take charge of your life:

"Your goals are the road maps that guide you and show you what is possible for your life. Life takes on meaning when you become motivated, set goals and charge after them in an unstoppable manner. Goals help you channel your energy into action. They place you in charge of your life."

If you are interested, you may wish to look up Amazon.com for "Live Your Dreams" by Les Brown by clicking here.

I Am Saying Nothing By Saying Something

I enjoy watching The Voice with my family as with millions of others the world over. It’s a singing competition which is famous for its Blind Auditions where the judges are seated with their backs facing the aspirant singer. (The other no less distinctive stages of this competition are the Battle Rounds, the Knockouts, the Live Playoffs and, finally, the Live Performance Shows.)

If any of the judges thinks you have potential to progress and grow as a singer on the basis of your voice alone, he or she will hit a button and the chair will turn around with “I WANT YOU” lighted up at the base of the chair. 

It gets more interesting when more than one of the judges want you. When this happens, they will start to engage in mental gymnastics or semantics to ‘fight’ for you to join their team and be your coach -- which has evolved into a show by itself; a la show within a show.

In this current season of The Voice, the four judges are: Adam Levine, Gwen Stefani, Pharrell Williams and Blake Shelton. It is such fun to watch them exchange banter and draw from their arsenal of resourcefulness to persuade and (hopefully) secure whom they believe could be transformed into an eventual champion.

Well, I would love to hear from one of the sterling stallions’ mouths something along these lines to a prized contestant in a future episode and pull it off with a deadpan expression:

“We are all equal, but one of us is a tad more equal than the others. Now, I am not saying that I am better than the other three judges although they may disagree with me on my saying what I have just said --which is no problem for me, either way. What I am saying is that I am saying nothing by saying something so that you can make an independent and informed choice. So, who would choose to be your coach?”

Click here to start getting into The Voice and be inspired to pursue your dreams.

For The Love of Children

The following is a sneak preview of a Children's Day celebration being organized by a shopping mall in the north of Singapore.

A sea of balloons have landed ...

Here's a seahorse looking at you ...

A chic unlittle Miss Octopussy ... 

This crab looks more complex to make than a poodle ...

This is a la walking on the seabed dry and in air-conditioning comfort ...

No Letting Up On Words

Words are everywhere and they continue to influence and direct our life commercially or otherwise. Just 2 examples here which caught my attention in the ebb and flow of words.

Imagine feeling tired after all the walking in the park or mall and you reach an elevator which alludes you to the following health benefit:-

Please give your heart a lift ... use the stairs

And, just when you thought that there are so many mouths to feed ...

I'm famished! Please feed me.

Words are powerful and hold their own whether we like it or not. Happy feeding on more words today!