The Alchemist -- A Fable About Following Your Dream

If you have a dream in your heart, "The Alchemist" written by Paulo Coelho would be a good read to fuel the quest of attaining your dream.

ISBN 978-0-06-235530-0

According to the blurb on the back cover of this 25th Anniversary Edition:-

"Combining magic, mysticism, wisdom and wonder, The Alchemist has become a modern classic, selling millions of copies around the world and transforming the lives of countless readers across generations.

Paulo Coelho's masterpiece tells the mystical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure. His quest will lead him to riches far different -- and far more satisfying -- than he ever imagined.

Santiago's journey teaches us about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, of recognizing opportunity and learning to read the omens strewn along life's path, and most importantly, to follow our dreams."

Here are some highlights to refresh you:

page 81:- "That's the principle that governs all things," he said. "In alchemy, it's called the Soul of the World. When you want something with all your heart, that's when you are closest to the Soul of the World. It's always a positive force."

page 136:- "What you need to realize is this: before a dream is realized, the Soul of the World tests everything that was learned along the way. It does this not because it is evil, but so that we can, in addition to realizing our dreams, master the lessons we've learned as we've moved toward that dream. That's the point at which most people give up. It's the point at which, as we say in the language of the desert, one 'dies of thirst just when the palm trees have appeared on the horizon.' 

page 137:- "Every search begins with beginner's luck. And every search ends with the victor's being severely tested." The boy remembered an old proverb from his country. It said that the darkest hour of the night came just before the dawn.

page 140:- The boy watched the exchange with fascination. "You dominated those horsemen with the way you looked at them," he said. "Your eyes show the strength of your soul," answered the alchemist.

page 141:- "You already know about alchemy. It is about penetrating the Soul of the World, and discovering the treasure that has been reserved for you."

page 144:-"What is an alchemist?" he asked, finally. "It's a man who understands nature and the world."

page 157:- The boy reached through to the Soul of the World, and saw that it was a part of the Soul of God. And he saw that the Soul of God was his own soul. And that he, a boy, can perform miracles. 

page 163:- The alchemist said, "No matter what he does, every person on earth plays  central role in the history of the world. And normally he doesn't know it. 

Some takeaways from this bestseller are as follows:

* Be observant of the omens happening before your eyes. For example, notice the flight patterns of hawks in the sky and understand what it is alluding to.

* Trust what is in your heart and get further clarity on what is in your heart.

* Discover and develop your gift, and put them to good use as your journey towards your dream goal.

* Stay on course and never give up on your dream no matter how far-fetched it may be. Each day forward brings you closer to finding your treasure.

Click here for an excellent insight and summary of The Alchemist.

Click here for to check out The Alchemist and other books by Paulo Coelho. 

Thank you for reading Daily Refreshing.

CNA Insider - Finding Auntie

In Singapore, foreign domestic helpers from other countries such as the Philippines and Indonesia play a significant role for many families to care for their children as well as attend to household chores.

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

When they return to their home countries after serving their employers' household in Singapore, these unsung heroes (commonly addressed to as "Auntie" by the children under their care) are finally reunited with their own families in their home country where they carry on to sustain their livelihood and strive to improve their well-being.

The following clips produced by CNA Insider show some heartwarming stories of these children who are now grownups embarking on a journey of "Finding Auntie".

Click here for Teen Surprises Former Helper In Indonesia: "I Miss You So Much" | On The Red Dot - Finding Auntie

Click here for I Flew To Philippines To Surprise My Former Helper After 26 Years! | On The Red Dot - Finding Auntie

Click here for I Packed Myself In A Box To Surprise My Former Domestic Helper | On The Red Dot - Finding Auntie

Click here for I Flew To Philippines To Surprise My Former Helper Of 15 Years | On The Red Dot | Finding Auntie

Some takeaways from this for your refreshing are as follows:

* Be kind to people.

* Care for others with love.

* Honour those who care for you with love in actions.

* Your values and actions can leave a lasting impact.

* Love entails making sacrifices.

Thank you for reading Daily Refreshing.  

Catch the Little Foxes That Spoil The Vines

"Catch us the foxes,
The little foxes that spoil the vines,
For our vines have tender grapes." -- Song of Solomon 2:15 (NKJV) 

Photo by Cindie Hansen on Unsplash

The vines supply the nutrients to the branches which bear grapes -- the fruit of your labour. Foxes are foxes regardless of whether they are big or little, and they will harm your harvest of fruitful labour if you do not pay attention and get rid of them.

Metaphorically, you need to watch out for the 'little foxes' which could mess up your life and the following threesome are highlighted:

1. Paper

While on the drive to go paperless, there would still be that letter or printout which end up on your desk. The golden rule is to handle each piece of paper once. Read it with comprehension and then decide on how to deal with it once and for all: Action and file it (or scan and file a softcopy); Pass it to another person for further handling; or Thrash it.

If you are unable to get your hand around this paper intrusion, you will be bogged down by a growing pile of papers, and end up having to re-visit them and expend further time and efforts to deal with them.

2. Credit Card Debt

If you find yourself unable to pay off your monthly credit card debt in full, it is time to take drastic action before the situation gets out of hand as the interest expenses on overdue payments snowball.

Cut down on your discretionary spending immediately and curb the urge to splurge now before you have earned sufficient income to afford it. It is going to hurt your lifestyle; no pain now, more debts later on. Choose wisely.

3. Offenses

When you play a contact sports such as rugby and soccer, you would be accustomed to rough play and the occasional dirty tactics of your opponents. You will be offended and if justice is not accorded by the referee, you would be aggrieved and may seek to retaliate when an opportunity present itself. This makes you no better than the offender, and you will reap what you sow, similarly.

Offenses could manifest in other ways such as gossip, backstabbing, ghosting and unkind remarks. Wherever possible, take the path less travelled and choose the F-word (Forgive) for offenses, especially, when non-criminal in nature. 

For all criminal matters, it would be advisable to report the matter to the authorities for them to deal with according to the law. But, you could still come to terms with forgiveness while the offender is adjudged to be punished. 

As gleaned from Google AI, "Holding onto unforgiveness can significantly impact your health, both mentally and physically, by causing chronic stress, increased anxiety and depression, weakened immune system function, elevated blood pressure, and potentially contributing to issues like heart disease due to the constant state of "fight or flight" triggered by resentment and anger towards someone you haven't forgiven; essentially, dwelling on a grudge can be detrimental to your overall well-being." 

Trust that the above have provided some refreshing thoughts for your actions, where applicable and appropriate.

Thank you for reading Daily Refreshing.

Glimpses of Chinatown @Singapore during Lunar New Year 2025

There are Chinatowns in many cities across the world with their unique features and hive of activity providing various attractions. Notably, the buzz reaches a peak during the the Lunar New Year.

The following photographs are snippets of Chinatown in Singapore taken in January 2025 which feature some mural wall paintings by Yip Yew Chong.

Nanyang Old Coffee - Coffeeshop & Museum

Click here for Singapore Chinese New Year 2025 | 牛车水｜Chinatown Singapore prepares for Year of the Snake.

Click here to explore Chinatown in Singapore.

Click here for more paintings by Yip Yew Chong.

Click here for Why I Do What I Do: He paints funerals in his art to reflect everyday life in Singapore.

Click here to visit Nanyang Old Coffee.

Do You Want To Become A Millionaire?

Becoming a millionaire may seem far-fetched and lofty for the average person. But, if you set your mind to it as a step in the right direction of obtaining financial freedom where you could have money to generate more money and live within your means, you will be better off than status quo whether or not you become a millionaire.

Photo by Mufid Majnun on Unsplash

To digress, besides other legit means like running a business, shrewd financial investments or career progression, there are potentially at least two new millionaires in Singapore every week through Singapore Pools' TOTO tickets which retail for SGD 1 each (for ordinary ticket) with draws for winners made twice a week. That could translate to potentially 104 millionaires over 52 weeks annually (in some draws there are no Group 1 winners and the prize is snowballed to the next draw).

For special occasions like New Year, National Day and Chinese New Year, the jackpots would be much higher than SGD 1 million.  In the recent draw Reunion draw on 24 January 2025, two Group 1 prize winners walked/sauntered/ran (can only imagine) to their banks with a cool SGD 6,651,088 each as per the following results:-

Source & Image credits: singaporepools.com.sg

That said, the chances of winning TOTO Group 1 prize are next to zero, literally and figuratively. Also, a precautionary note is that gambling is addictive and if you gamble beyond your disposal income, you could end up in debts and that would pull you downhill from attaining financial freedom.

The big picture of becoming a millionaire is to spend within your means even if you have a healthy stream of income, save money and invest the money to generate more of the same; grow your money tree.

Here are some practical strategies obtained from ChatGPT in reply to "What are the top ten strategies to become a millionaire in Singapore with certainties or high probabilities?" for your refreshing:-

"Becoming a millionaire in Singapore involves a combination of strategic financial planning, discipline, smart investments, and leveraging the country's unique opportunities. While there's no guaranteed path, here are ten strategies with high probabilities of success based on common trends and principles that have worked for many people:

1. Start Early and Save Aggressively

Compounding works best over time. The earlier you start saving and investing, the more you benefit from compounding returns. Aim to save at least 20-30% of your income, and increase that figure as your salary rises. Leverage CPF (Central Provident Fund) savings as well, as it offers relatively high returns, particularly for retirement planning.

2. Invest in Real Estate

Singapore's real estate market has historically been a reliable wealth generator. Buying property early, especially in prime locations or emerging areas, can lead to significant capital appreciation. Rental income also provides a steady cash flow. However, be mindful of the market cycles and government policies like cooling measures that impact real estate.

3. Maximize Your Career Potential

Focus on growing your career in high-demand fields such as finance, technology, healthcare, and engineering. Building expertise and continuously upgrading your skills can lead to promotions, salary increases, and access to high-paying roles. Networking and positioning yourself as a leader in your industry will increase your opportunities for wealth generation.

4. Invest in the Stock Market

Consistently investing in the stock market, especially in index funds, ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds), and blue-chip stocks, can provide long-term wealth. By using a strategy like dollar-cost averaging (DCA), you can mitigate the risks associated with market volatility. Singapore has a stable stock market with good returns over the long term.

5. Leverage Business Ownership

Starting or owning a business is one of the fastest ways to build significant wealth, especially in Singapore's thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. With low corporate taxes, grants, and strong infrastructure, the country is conducive to business growth. Successful businesses can create significant wealth through capital appreciation and cash flow.

6. Develop Passive Income Streams

Building multiple passive income streams can accelerate wealth creation. This could include investments in real estate, dividend-paying stocks, peer-to-peer lending, or creating online businesses. Passive income allows you to earn money with minimal ongoing effort, freeing you up for other opportunities.

7. Master Personal Finance Management

To become a millionaire, you need to spend less than you earn. Creating and following a disciplined budget, tracking expenses, and avoiding unnecessary debt are fundamental. By maintaining financial discipline and avoiding consumerist pitfalls, you'll have more capital to invest.

8. Maximize Tax Efficiency

Singapore offers relatively favorable tax rates for both individuals and corporations. Understanding the tax advantages available to you—such as tax reliefs, deductions, and exemptions—can help you keep more of your income for investment purposes. You could also consider setting up a business to take advantage of corporate tax structures and incentives.

9. Diversify Investments

Avoid putting all your money in one basket. Diversification across asset classes—such as real estate, stocks, bonds, and even alternative assets like commodities or cryptocurrency—can help reduce risks while increasing the potential for long-term growth. This will protect your wealth against market fluctuations.

10. Build Relationships with Wealthy Mentors

Surrounding yourself with like-minded, successful individuals can significantly boost your chances of becoming a millionaire. Mentors can offer valuable advice, share their experiences, and provide networking opportunities that could open doors to profitable ventures and investments.

By combining several of these strategies and remaining disciplined, there's a strong probability that you can reach millionaire status in Singapore. While there’s no certainty in any one path, a diversified approach and a long-term mindset generally offer the highest chance of success."

That's all good if our lives consist only of everything under the sun. But, if you look heavenward beyond our present reality, you would need the currency of faith in God and actions that prove that your faith is legal tender in the court of heaven.

Hear then the words of Jesus Christ, "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26; NKJV)"

With faith, you can invest in the kingdom of God and lay up for yourself treasures in heaven. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21; NKJV)"

Click here to explore the Kingdom of God.

Click on the following to join Alpha events in Singapore (SG), United Kingdom (UK) or United States of America (US) and learn more about God through other people in person:

Alpha - SG        Alpha - UK        Alpha - US

The following two books are well worth reading with loads of beneficial insights and perspectives.

Click here for "Money - Master the Game" by Tony Robbins.

 

Click here for "Money, Possessions, and Eternity" by Randy Alcorn.

Excerpt from "Money, Possessions, and Eternity" by Randy Alcorn
Image credit: google.com.sg/books

Festive Cheers with Chinese Calligraphy

With the Chinese New Year just around the corner, this collaboration between NTUC and People's Association to provide free and customised calligraphy drawings of wordings for posterity has certainly brought lots of festive cheers.

These Chinese calligraphy teachers were all hands on deck as they get down to provide the customised wordings to the enthusiastic crowd.

Nice shirt to complement with ink brush strokes

According to Wikipedia:- 

"Chinese calligraphy is the writing of Chinese characters as an art form, combining purely visual art and interpretation of the literary meaning. This type of expression has been widely practiced in China and has been generally held in high esteem across East Asia.

Calligraphy is considered one of the four most-sought skills and hobbies of ancient Chinese literati, along with playing stringed musical instruments, the board game "Go", and painting.

There are some general standardizations of the various styles of calligraphy in this tradition. Chinese calligraphy and ink and wash painting are closely related: they are accomplished using similar tools and techniques, and have a long history of shared artistry. Distinguishing features of Chinese painting and calligraphy include an emphasis on motion charged with dynamic life.

According to Stanley-Baker, "Calligraphy is sheer life experienced through energy in motion that is registered as traces on silk or paper, with time and rhythm in shifting space its main ingredients." Calligraphy has also led to the development of many forms of art in China, including seal carving, ornate paperweights, and inkstones."

Here are some of the benefits of learning Chinese calligraphy (derived using Chat GPT):

1. Cultural Appreciation

Deepens Understanding of Chinese Culture: Chinese calligraphy is deeply rooted in Chinese history, philosophy, and aesthetics. Learning it helps you understand the cultural significance of characters, the evolution of writing, and the artistic traditions that have shaped China for millennia.

Connection to Classical Arts: Chinese calligraphy is often seen as one of the highest forms of art in China, intertwined with poetry, philosophy, and painting. Mastering it gives you access to a rich cultural heritage.

2. Mindfulness and Focus

Promotes Mental Clarity: The practice of Chinese calligraphy requires intense concentration and mindfulness, which can help calm the mind, reduce stress, and improve focus.

Enhances Patience and Discipline: Achieving proficiency in calligraphy takes time, practice, and perseverance. This process cultivates patience, discipline, and a sense of accomplishment.

3. Improved Handwriting and Fine Motor Skills

Refines Hand-Eye Coordination: The careful and precise movements required for Chinese calligraphy improve hand-eye coordination, which can also enhance your overall handwriting and other fine motor skills.

Better Control of Writing Tools: Calligraphy teaches control over brushes, ink, and paper, fostering dexterity and fine muscle control.

4. Creativity and Expression

Artistic Expression: Calligraphy is not just about writing—it’s also a form of artistic expression. The strokes, fluidity, and the use of space allow for personal creativity to shine through.

Develops Aesthetic Sensibility: Learning the aesthetics of Chinese calligraphy, such as balance, harmony, and rhythm, improves your overall appreciation for beauty and design.

5. Enhanced Cognitive Skills

Memory and Learning: Writing characters repeatedly helps reinforce memory, and studying the history and structure of characters can improve cognitive abilities like pattern recognition and critical thinking.

Language Skills: As you practice writing Chinese characters, you also learn about the meaning, pronunciation, and structure of the language, which can deepen your understanding of Chinese and enhance language learning.

6. Connection to History

Bridges Past and Present: By studying Chinese calligraphy, you connect with centuries of historical figures, texts, and literary works. This can lead to a better understanding of the evolution of Chinese language and society.

Appreciation of Traditional Techniques: Learning calligraphy often involves studying ancient scripts and historical masters, helping preserve traditional art forms.

7. Therapeutic Benefits

Stress Relief: The repetitive nature of calligraphy can act like a form of meditation, providing relaxation and relief from anxiety.

Physical Relaxation: The gentle, flowing movements associated with calligraphy also promote relaxation of the hands and shoulders.

8. Social and Educational Opportunities

Cultural Exchange: Learning Chinese calligraphy provides a unique opportunity for cultural exchange, especially if you engage with communities or organizations that practice this art form.

Career and Educational Benefits: For students and professionals, learning calligraphy could be an asset, especially in fields related to East Asian studies, art history, or even in modern creative industries like design.

Click here for Chinese Calligraphy classes organised by People' Association.

Click here for Sha Menghai: The Master Of The Art Of Chinese Calligraphy | Century Masters 

Click here for Introduction to Chinese calligraphy (Part 1) | Four Arts of Life | Tea with Erping