CATS - Let the memory lives again

You own your unique portfolio of memories much like intangible assets. Your memory is from the past and experienced in the present.

Photo by Raoul Droog on Unsplash

Cast aside the bad memories and do not let them have the time of your day and night. Let them pour away like rainwater down to the drain for good, but take their lessons and learn from them. While humankind on a global scale has not learned from history, you will make an exception to do better.

Today and tomorrow, you have the opportunity to create good memories of time spent doing your things and interacting with others. Be a good steward of your time and relationships, and you will be paying it forward and reap your future returns of good memories.

As you embark on the New Year, let Barbara Streisand nudges you to recollect your good memories and seize a New Year to be a cool cat who wouldn't give in to discouragement, but make jumps to create more good memories.

Click here for Barbra Streisand - Memory.

My Favourite Biscuit

Years ago when I had my first sun biscuit, it took me by storm with its texture and taste, and the fond memory has lingered on over the years. A colleague had brought it from Taiwan.

Recently, when I had another sun biscuit, made by Yen Shin-Fa Cookies (www.ysfa.com.tw), the memory lives again. It came in a box containing six world-class biscuits.

The biscuit looks plain, but the aroma of freshness is unmissable. When you take your bites, the crust literally melts in your mouth as it gels with the maltose (condensed malt sugar).

If you are not about to visit Taiwan, fret not, as you have an online avenue to source for them.

The Missing Train

The following oil painting by Liao Liyao is titled "Five Parks on a Passenger, Passing by a Sunny Morning on a Train". 

She is a winner under the Emerging Artist category, Singapore, in the recent 38th UOB Painting of the Year competition. Her hope is to "challenge the viewer's mindset through her artwork".

On the left we see five persons striking poses that are out of place in a park where picnicking would be the order of the day.

However, if you were to shift them to the empty train cabin on the right, they would look perfectly at home. And, your mind would be at ease that they are not out of sorts.

But, what if you were to superimpose the train carriage with the painting on the left? Voila! The passengers would be in the train and you could see the greeneries and blue sky through the windows.

In life, there are times when we do not have the complete picture such as background information and expertise, we jump to the conclusion that we must take five people out of the park and put them on an indifferent train, leaving behind the park of lively foliage and vibrant sunshine.

Sometimes the best solution can be found if we dig deeper to gain a better understanding and by just looking for someone who has a proven track record to tackle such similar problems or difficulties.

While you reflect further, as it is Christmas, turn on your light bulb with some background music.

Click here for 1 Hour of Christmas Music | Instrumental Christmas Songs Playlist | Piano, Violin & Orchestra.

 

No Kidding

Often times kids are brushed aside and not taken seriously. After all, we adults should know better.

Just recently, you would have heard of Ryan's World -- a YouTube channel which has attracted 23 million subscribers and counting. Eight-year old Ryan Guan has been listed by Forbes as the highest paid YouTube star with a reported earning of US$26 millions in 2019.

Hey, he wouldn't have to go to school. The school can come to him and he can have his own schooling at home one-on-one if he wants to when he has the time. Not that he needs to as he is already in the marketplace before completing his schooling.

Click here for for Ryan's World.

As a treat, you find the following child pianist prodigy, Elisey Mysin, inspiring if you enjoy piano music or stressful if you are a pianist.

Click here for Mozart, Piano Concerto No 3 in D major Елисей Мысин Young pianist and composer @Classical Tunes.

Sampling of Local Food Havens in Singapore

Food is a personal thing. What you like another may disdain, but that's okay. To each his or her own. 

That said, you won't find out your verdict unless you are adventurous enough to explore food that are unfamiliar to you.

Foodies are no respecter of nationalities and there is no shortage of foodies in Singapore or coming to Singapore to enthral you with what make their tummies happy.

The following clips are just a sample to whet your appetite and egg you to explore and possibly enjoy food that you are not accustomed to and expand your food horizon.

Click here for Best Singapore eats: ‘Heavenly’ appam at Ghim Moh Market | CNA Lifestyle.

Click here for 10 FAMOUS SINGAPORE LOCAL FOODS!

Click here for Top 9 Best Hawker Centres in Singapore

Click here for MIND BLOWING Singapore BREAKFAST Street Food Tour!

Jewel at Changi Airport

Take a peek at the making of Jewel and your view of an airport will never be the same again. 

It would be like immersing yourself in a rainforest merged within a shopping mall and playground that is created with passion and collaboration of various nationalities for the citizens of all countries to visit and enjoy.

Click here for Inside: Jewel Changi Airport | FULL by National Geographic Asia.

The Right Time

For your reflection on finding the right time or waiting for the right time and affirmation that timing is everything.

Jewel Changi Airport
by courtesy of viator.com

Click here for a soulful rendition of The Right Time (I Believe) composed and sung by JJ Lin in Chinese with the Google-translated lyrics as follows:-

Life is carved out. The innocence of the face is gradually reduced.

People attribute the burden to time.

However, maturity can bring fruit. 

It should be sweet only for time to encourage the change of seasons.
The oath of declaration will gradually become lighter every year.

People will defects, blame time, but grow up to adult tears.
The reason for recovery is to dilute the source of sorrow for time.

If love is a long-range vortex, just go around the circle and go forward

without centrifuging too far.

I want to face the bluest sunny day, doesn’t leave the track with you.

[chorus]

If life is a lonely vortex,

no matter the direction of a thousand turns, it will not deviate

before taking off.
Take a look at each of the faces I have loved.

Every interlaced and missed are selected subconsciously.

Right time

[Main Song 2]

It ’s obvious that the memory of the future will open up, and

you and I will all be at the best time,

otherwise we will meet each other. Why is there a rehearsal

just for the time is a string of two people

[Guide song]

If love is a scene The long-range vortex

just goes around the circle and goes forward

without centrifuging too far.

I want to face the bluest sunny day

without leaving the track. You are by your side.

[Chorus]

If life is a lonely vortex,

it doesn’t matter the direction 

I will take a look before taking off.

Every face I have loved.

Each interlaced and missed is subconsciously selected the right time.
The right time. The right time.

Have a Banksy Christmas

Love him or loathe him, Banksy has struck again with art as his mouthpiece to jolt our thoughts with a message on homelessness as we catch the festive mood of Christmas 2019. 

Team Bansky or Ms Banksy, as his identity remains elusive.

It just goes to show that one person or a team can make a BIG difference in a small way when done with ingenuity and originality.

Click here for New Banksy Mural Shines Light on Homelessness.

Click here for Who is Banksy?

“Imagine a city where graffiti wasn't illegal, a city where everybody could draw whatever they liked. Where every street was awash with a million colours and little phrases. Where standing at a bus stop was never boring. A city that felt like a party where everyone was invited, not just the estate agents and barons of big business. Imagine a city like that and stop leaning against the wall - it's wet.” - Banksy

Come to think of it, what are blank walls good for as with blank pages, if not to be filled with words, graphics and meaning.

You can bank on a wall like Banksy if that is the right medium for you, and make it artsy.

The Top 10 Habits of Happy People

Brainy Dose has proffered the following 10 Habits of Happy People for your refreshing to stay on track for a happy life:

Photo by Alejandro Cartagena 🇲🇽🏳‍🌈 on Unsplash

1. Be Optimistic

2. Focus on what you can control

3. Practice Self-Acceptance

4. Be kind to others

5. Pursue Meaningful Goals

6. Let go of Grudges

7. Stay Socially Connected

8. Spend Money on Experiences

9. Limit News Consumption 

10. Make Health a Priority

Click here for How To Be Happy - The Top 10 Habits of Happy People.

Does The Secret Work?

The proponents of The Secret are dead sure that it works. For examples, Bob Proctor opines, "If you see it in your mind, you're going to hold it in your hand." while Mike Dooley surmises, "And that principle can be summed up in three simple words. Thoughts become things!"

If you have yet to be initiated, The Secret refers to the Law of Attraction. It is a natural law whether you realise it or not, and works every time such as the Laws of Gravity, Aerodynamics, Motion and Flotation.

In a nutshell, the Law of Attraction is the ability to attract into our lives whatever we are focusing on. Think good thoughts rather than lousy ones and begin to feel good about yourself. "I am good (ego not included; I choose the good side of me to reflect and inflect)." "I live in abundance." "I can be on top of everything in my life, including relationships and significance."

Before you get all worried about an inclination towards negative thoughts, you still have a window of time to alter your mental course and feelings before they wreck havoc as your thoughts do not transform into reality instantly.

When your emotions are hijacked by your thoughts and you are down and out, take that feedback but don't do it lying down. Get up and fight back! Take a stand and quickly change the trend of your thoughts. Latch on to the positive and let the Law of Attraction works to your advantage for the life you are craving for. This could well be the fix you need to upscale your life.

"You can begin right now to feel healthy. You can begin to feel prosperous. You can begin to feel the love that's surrounding you, even if it's not there. And what will happen is the universe will correspond to the nature of your song. The universe will correspond to the nature of that inner feeling and manifest, because that's the way you feel." -- Michael Bernard Beckwith

Does The Secret work? It depends on you as to whether it will work for you. You have nothing to lose by uplifting your current thought patterns to a higher plane of life with greater fulfilment and significance. 

Click here for The Secret - Official website and catch some stories and videos.

Bibliography:

"The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne (ISBN: 1-58270-170-9)

   

Are Your Thoughts Worth More Than Silver and Gold?

Your thoughts have a frequency which determines the picture that you manifest in your life much like the channels on your television which pick up the various frequencies from the broadcasting station.

Be careful with what you think and guard your thoughts diligently! This is because your dominant thoughts have the power to determine the frequent channels of your life's pictures; you would be smart to focus on your desired outcome and steer your thoughts towards who you want to become.

In this sense, your thoughts would outweigh silver and gold as your thoughts can create your destiny.

Here are just some thoughts for your takeaway as gleaned from anonymous sources on the internet.

What you think, you become.

What you feel, you attract.

What you imagine, you create.

Attract what your Expect,

Reflect what you Desire,

Become what you Respect,

Mirror what you Admire.

What are you going to leave behind?

"All a man has in the end is his name, his good name, and all that the name promises. A man's life is his name fulfilled." -- O Thiam Chin (page 93, "Never Been Better")

Come to think of it, when we are gone, what remains is our name in the hearts and minds of those who have known us. The famous few would be more prominent with buildings and/or roads named after them as well as books, songs, fashion labels, food establishment, etc. that bear their name.

For your further rumination to think long term, savour the following poem by Ms Lee Zhu Pheng :-

"Sip your Coffee

Nice and Slow,

No one Ever knows

when it’s Time to Go,

There’ll be no Time

to enjoy the Glow,

So sip your Coffee

Nice and Slow... 

Life is too Short but

feels pretty Long,

There’s too Much to do , so much going Wrong,

And Most of the Time You Struggle to be Strong,

Before it’s too Late

and it’s time to Go,

Sip your Coffee

Nice and Slow... 

Some Friends stay,

others Go away,

Loved ones are Cherished, but not all will Stay ,

Kids will Grow up

and Fly away,

There’s really no Saying how Things will Go,

So sip your coffee

Nice and Slow... 

In the End it’s really

all about Understanding Love,

For this World

and in the Stars above,

Appreciate and Value who truly Cares,

Smile and Breathe

and let your Worries go,

So, Just Sip your coffee

Nice and Slow...."

Click here to learn more about Lee Zhu Pheng.

Redeeming the Lost Art of Reading

Reading a book used to be a staple form of enjoyment before the proliferation of internet and mobile phones.

Some experts have sounded out that these new technologies are rewiring our brains as they notably diminish our ability to concentrate and think while inflicting us with social network addictions (think WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.).

Before we lose the art of reading a good book for relaxation and you are asking for ten good reasons to re-shift your brain, the following is a list of thirty good reasons to read books from SeriousReading.com to convince you:

1.   Gives knowledge
2.   Improves your brain

3.   Reduces stress

4.   Improves memory

5.   Improves imagination

6.   Develops critical thinking skills

7.   Builds vocabulary

8.   Improves writing skills

9.   Improves communication skills

10. Improves focus and concentration

11. A fruitful hobby

12. Cheap entertainment

13. Motivation

14. Improves health

15. Makes you more empathetic

16. Improves Skills

17. Build self-esteem

18. Portable entertainment

19. Helps you sleep better

20. Learn about another world

21. Socialization

22. Improves creativity

23. Learn at your own pace

24. Lots of choices to choose from

25. Improves morals

26. Learn about your history

27. Save money

28. No side effects of the digital world

29. Makes you smarter

30. Books are better than movies

Click here for 30 Reasons to Read Books.

Now is great time to pick up a book again and re-discover the magic of reading a good yarn or learn something new.

Have a Beary Good Christmas 2019!

Merchandisers are not holding back from letting you know that Christmas is nigh in November. 

Better early than sorry, as you stock up and prepare for the most sung festive season, hands down.

 The turkeys have landed!

At the onset of Christmas 2019, I can't help but wonder, "What the deuce about bears?!" The bears are not only waking up from their hibernation but also out of the woods as they are literally ubiquitous to help us usher in the festivities. 

Check this out:

Plan early for Christmas so that you would not feel left out in the cold while just about everyone else on the street, in orphanages, and old folks' home, are having  a party. You could easily get invited by your Christian friends and attend their Candlelight and/or Christmas services as you ponder the true meaning of Christmas.

Cheer yourself up this Christmas!

If you are shunning the limelight and prefer to have a quiet Christmas on your own, then I would strongly encourage you to pick up some choice books (bare necessities, if you will) from your community library and cuddle in for a good read with your favourite cuppa over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. It's the next best thing to hibernation.

And, send us a greeting here at Daily Refreshing!

Have a Beary Good Christmas 2019!

Ditch Mindless Surfing

It is a sad state of affair to see people dumbing themselves by surfing the default browser homepage or YouTube channels in the hope of finding something that would perk them up. 

Photo by Avi Richards on Unsplash

This aimless use of time could be put to more productive and energising exchange if you know what you are looking for and focus on them.

So take charge of what you wanna draw out of the internet. Find your areas of interest, and bookmark the websites and channels which could advance your passion for the Top Ten things in your life.

As you feed on your pipeline of all the stuffs which work for you, you will be fanning and creating sparks in your area of interests. You will thus lead a more meaningful and fulfilling life as you build on your areas of interest instead of being a Jack of all distractions and Master of nothing in particular.

While the internet can complement other things such as social events, reading and sports as an antidote for boredom, you will find that your internet experience will be more enriching as you become intentional in what you are going to focus on.

Maybe you could consider cutting down on Facebook as well as you don't have to jolly well experience and kinda live out other people's life along with them, as well. 

Your own life is great and you can make it greater for you and your loved ones as you grow your passion and refine your purposeful life.

Having a Bad Day?

The sky is blue, we all know that. Oh, how we love those sunny days with cotton-white clouds and wish that they would stay that way forever.

Alas, sometimes there are gray skies, but we won't wanna talk about it and silently pray that the rain would go away or someone would shelter us with an umbrella.

Listening to music could help.

Click here for Daniel Powter - Bad Day (Official Music Video). 

Watch it till the end and you may catch a warm smile in your heart, if you have a modicum of penchant for romance.

Physical exercises like taking a walk, going for a swim and riding your trusty bicycle might also help to elevate your mood.

Chocolates may help, too, and you could well grab some at downright prices from a neighbourhood store and consume them in moderation.

While you are at it, you could pair your chocolates or your favourite comfort food with your go-to drink.

Enjoying your cuppa in a hot-air balloon?

According to one source, reading an interesting book according to your own taste by immersing your mind in it can help you relax as you focus and follow what you are reading. Go to the library or retrieve a palatable book from your shelve, and take a mental hike.

Chew on these:

“In the case of good books, the point is not to see how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you.” – Mortimer J. Adler

“Some books leave us free and some books make us free.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Oh, okay, maybe you are just tired. Then, get some beauty sleep, or go for a 20-minutes power nap by setting the alarm clock in your phone.

Thank you for reading Daily Refreshing. Hope this blog has perked you up in some way.

What is the Intrinsic Value of Bitcoin?

All investments carry risks in connection with the perceived value of rewards, which may not necessarily materialise according to your expectation and you may even end up with a loss.

Likewise, for cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin, which has survived the initial euphoria. It is best to invest only in what you know and understand.

Photo by David Shares on Unsplash

The purpose of this blog post is for you to take a peek as to why Bitcoin may have an intrinsic value by understanding the basic tenets on the value of a product or commodity, and for you to gain a basic understanding on how digital currencies are mined or created, so that you are not intimidated by the advance of digital technology and their bags of jargons.

Click here for What Is The Intrinsic Value of Bitcoin (BTC)

Click here for Bitcoin: How Cryptocurrencies Work

Disclaimer: All content provided on this blog post and the linkages are for informational purposes only. Daily Refreshing makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this blog post or found by following any link on this blog. Daily Refreshing will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. Also, Daily Refreshing will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information

Strawless in Singapore?

When a person litters in Singapore, he is slapped (figuratively) with a punitive pecuniary fine, literally. This has worked well although there are still incidences of killer-litters (sad but true) of what-nots like bottles, furniture and TVs that are hurled down from apartments.

Then, there is the banning of chewing gums which has been a total success. The fight against cigarettes is still on as with the curtailing of motorised scooters.

Seemingly harmless stuffs like high sugar level in soft drinks (adverse for health) and drinking straws (eco-unfriendly) have not been spared.

Will the day come when disposable straws in Singapore will go the way of chewing gums? 

We are inching a bit closer but might just see the light of day on the last straw if efforts are sustained with further built-up of momentums by all stakeholders. 


P.S. Thank you for your support in reading and sharing Daily Refreshing.

Sparks of Inspiration from DBS

When was the last time you got inspired by a bank beyond thinking about your dollars and cents?

Through the deft use of film, DBS will show you that bankers have an understanding heart to fuel your dream beyond just being street-smart and money-smart.

Click here for SPARKS | Season 2 Episode 3: From Grounds Up | DBS

Click here for SPARKS | S2E4: The Trash Princess | DBS

With such a slew of talent as seen in DBS Sparks series, I can't help but wonder why aren't there more palatable English local films being made in Singapore. Perhaps, this is a cause that DBS can champion, too. 

The Art and Science of Happiness

The art of happiness would encompass getting a grip on how you respond to adverse circumstances rather than react to them.

Well, you can have the best of both worlds as you take the science of happiness and take appropriate actions until they become second nature to you.

Photo by Arjohn Janroe Queral on Unsplash

Click here for 10 Scientifically Proven Ways To Stay Happy All The Time by Robert Locke which are summarised as follows:

1. Exercise More

2. Positive thinking affects your performance

3. Trash your negative thoughts

4. Treasure your experiences more than your possessions

5. Write down why you are grateful

6. Practice mindfulness

7. Don’t forget your beauty sleep

8. Dedicate a little time to helping others

9. Focus on the life you want to live

10. Focus on your strengths 

Happiness is your choice. It is time for you to brew your own cup of happiness everyday and lead a happy life.

Touch of Heaven

One touch of heaven and your life will never be the same again.

When we are touched afresh by our Creator God, the spirit man on the inside of us is awakened and we are reminded of where we come from, why we are here and where we are going.

Photo by frank mckenna on Unsplash

Click here for Touch of Heaven to get a glimpse of the possibilities when we tune in to our Source of life.

"So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are. Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being, for from there flows the wellspring of life. Avoid dishonest speech and pretentious words. Be free from using perverse words no matter what! Set your gaze on the path before you. With fixed purpose, looking straight ahead, ignore life’s distractions" (Proverbs 4:23-25 TPT).

Is It Possible To Change Your Life?

Getting out of one's comfort zone is a cliche that is a tad too comfortable (pun intended) if you wanna really change your life. The stark truth is you need to steel yourself to take forceful action (think forcing yourself to wake up under 2 seconds once the alarm rings in the morning). It is having the backbone of strong efforts and execution of massive actions.

Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

In the following TEDx talk by Tali Sharot you will learn that the following factors can help you change your habits and behaviour:

1. Social Incentives

2. Immediate Reward

3. Progress Monitoring 

For example, if your electricity bill were to show you the average household usage in your area and where you stand, you are motivated not to stick out like a sore thumb. It gives you a smiley face because you are within the normal distribution, but you are motivated to do better as it would then give you two smiley faces. Also, it provides you a chart to track your progress.

You may wanna take a leaf from these social studies done and apply them to your specific situations so that you will increase your likelihood of success to make the change you have been yearning for the longest time.

Click here for How to motivate yourself to change your behavior | Tali Sharot | TEDxCambridge