Going Once, Twice OR It's Gone!

 

Going once, twice OR it's gone!  NO sirrrrs, our thread today is neither that song of Bob Dylan nor HIkaru Utada.  I just want to share one [overdue] realization I had that indeed, life is a continuous journey of growth and self-discovery, filled with ups and downs, challenges and moments of triumph.  Along this path, surely many of us have encountered transformative rules that could have reshaped us📗📙📘

YES, very true, even our very own perspectives are never cast on stone. It gets reshaped either for the better OR if the stars are NOT aligned, for worse.  Let's start with frugality.  I've seen, met and known countless people WHO were so frugal because they are so generous to so many other people.  And WHAT else can be more laudable than being that generous to people NOT just to those we know BUT most heartwarming is WHEN we're generous even to strangers, people we hardly know.  NOW, time to swing back the klieg lights upon our own selves because of most paramount importance is our us, even before we start delving into others' lives💥💥💥

At one time before, I was having coffee with a psychologist and our tete-a-tete turned towards generosity and selflessness.  Out of the blue, the psychologist asked me:  Would you agree we should be as selfless as possible?  With alacrity, I said, BY ALL MEANS.  BUT here comes his rejoinder.  He retorted:  I beg to disagree with you because we got to be SELFISH too.  Pushing farther, he challenged me with this frank question:  SHOULD YOU NOT BE SELFISH?  I retorted back:  I'm sorry, I DON'T have the tail OR head on this.  In a moment, I was like in 'blank space', unable to process even a fraction of a thought❎❎❎

Then, he went on his spiel starting off by warning me that unfortunately, the word 'SELFISH' has always that negative connotation.  The long and short of it, everyone of us will, without hesitation, admit that we DON'T want to be associated at all with 'SELFISHNESS'.  BUT here comes the SME who tells me that SELFISHNESS allows us to be good to others because we were first good to our own self.  To put oneself above others is always seen as inherently wrong BUT if you DON'T put yourself first, WHO WILL???

Our takeaway:  This reminds me of that oft-quoted one-liner:  AN EMPTY CUP CANNOT POUR INTO OTHERS.  And WHEN we are SELFISH, it allows us to take care of ourselves so we can tend to others.  True, most people are nursing that feeling of guilt OR shame WHEN they put themselves first BUT we are challenged to realize that it is A-OK to make sure your needs are met FIRST and FOREMOST.  Let's NOT run rings around this because for you to be selfless, you gotta be SELFISH to some extent dude😁😁😁

So, WHAT's Wrong Being ORDINARY?

 

We all have seen that person in our lives WHO seems to have it all put together.  NOT only do they excel academically, making it to the Dean's List every semester and being atop the class as well BUT they seem to be that ideal outgoing and 'know every person' on campus.  They are even officers of multiple school organizations, captain of this and that athletic team, just being everywhere.  On the other hand, most of us are that ORDINARY.   So, WHAT's wrong BEING ORDINARY?  Sadly, WHAT we recall more often are those people WHO do practically anything and everything.  Truly, these students are WHO society labels as the 'leaders of the next generation' as they are the hardworking and outgoing people📗📙📘

Social norms lead us to [wrongly] believe being an ideal person is WHAT we should all strive for.  Being EXTRAORDINARY is WHAT seemingly makes people that 'SPECIAL' and WHAT gets you to be 'recognized'.  BUT hold on, dude.  Is this realistic enough?  Logically, it's impossible to be that EXTRAORDINARY and be 'EVERYWHERE'.  And if you're part of the workforce, your tied up at least 8 hours😞😞😞

YET, we come across people WHO seem to live their lives like SUPERMAN and SUPERWOMAN as they seem everywhere.  After clocking out from work, they would rush to the gym, then they're into volunteerism OR even venturing into their extra income-earning initiatives.  Of course, there's nothing wrong with being that incredibly involved either.  Because if you are that person, then you got to be incredibly proud of yourself✅✅✅

I remember WHEN I was very raw straight from university, with both ears still wet, and I started to plunge into the job market.  I realized I had to prepare my CV/Resume.  Whoah, I was in that dilemma because I asked myself, HOW can I fill that one-pager?  Guess WHAT?  NOT effortlessly, though, I managed to populate that one-pager by adding the line details when I was just another member of the school's editorial member until my senior year WHEN I was the Editor-in-Chief📌📌📌

Our takeaway:  The pervasive message of our time asserts that success is essential in every facet of life, be it education, career, friendships OR relationships.  In our relentless pursuit of success, many of us toil ceaselessly, ingrained with that belief that triumph is really the very GATEWAY TO HAPPINESS.  Looking back at all the spheres in my life, I can wholeheartedly admit that I was NOT consistently EXTRAORDINARY.  In fact and in truth, most of the time, I was just another ORDINARY folk BUT that does NOT diminish the successes I did achieve till to date.  Looking at your respective lives, yes dude, nothing wrong to be ORDINARY [in case you're NOT that EXTRAORDINARY😁😁😁

[Scam Alert] Latest Phishing Scheme NOW Targetting Facebook Users

 

Let's start with facts and statistical data.  As per FSecure, QUOTE 62% of social media phishing incidents use Facebook as a lure, with one campaign in 2023 sending around 100,000 phishing messages per week to Facebook users.  Furthermore, Phishing Tackle noted millions of users visited Facebook phishing sites in 2022 UNQUOTE.  As we speak today, the alarm decibels have compounded!@#$%?

Pasting here EN TOTO from lifehacker.com [from Emily Long 08.11.2025].  SCAMMERS ARE TARGETTING FACEBOOK USERS WITH THIS PHISHING SCHEME.  This scam begins like many do, with an unsolicited email. The subject line is somewhat alarming—“We’ve Received a request to Reset your password for Facebook Account !”—and despite the odd use of capitalization, you may click just to be absolutely sure there's nothing you need to do. The body states that you're receiving this email because someone just logged into your account from an unrecognized device, and Facebook wants to verify it's really you. There are two buttons to choose from: "Report the user" and "Yes, me."

While many phishing schemes prompt you to click a link that leads to a fake website designed to steal your credentials, this one (like the recent Instagram scam) uses mailto: links instead. If you click either of the buttons or the unsubscribe option at the bottom, your device will launch your default mail program and open an email with a prefilled subject line matching the button text. The reply email doesn't go to a domain owned by Facebook or Meta, though scammers use a technique called typosquatting to make the address look at least somewhat legitimate, such as belonging to companies like Black Diamond or Vacasa💧💧💧

This may seem relatively innocuous, as you haven't actually provided any personal information in your reply. However, hitting "send" validates your email address so scammers can target you in the future. They may also try to build a relationship with you over email and gain your trust over time. Mailto: phishing is more likely to evade email filters compared to malicious links, so scammers can actually reach your inbox.  As with all scams, this one uses urgency to convince you to act, because of course you want to protect your account from unauthorized logins [QUOTE ends here]!@#$%?

In my case, 2 weeks ago, I received a mailer warning me that there was a suspicious login at a specific provincial address/location [WHERE I've never been in my life] and along with it was a LINK for me to "PURPORTEDLY" 'force-logout' that unauthorized login.  THAT's IT!  Scammers are playing on HUMAN FEARS.  Once we panic, it's GAME OVER dude.  Again, to be FOREWARNED is to be FOREARMED💥💥💥

Put in the 'REPS'

 

NO sirrrrrrs, please DON'T get me wrong.  I am NOT a too-late-the-hero gym buff convert [just because of this thread].  for alignment, 'REPS' is a slang derived from 'REPETITION'.  Having said that, you might wonder, WHY on earth are we wasting our thread today about PUTTING IN THE REPS?  YES, I got to confess, I've witnessed many times folks jumping from the frying pan straight into the fire even they haven't PUT IN THE REPS📗📙📘

Heard of a fresh university graduate so eager-beaver to plunge into the job market on the basis that he/she graduated with academic honors?  NOT to belittle our graduates garnering their honors because surely they deserve that kind of academic recognition.  BUT the job market is a totally new ballgame.  That explains WHY we'll here entry-levels via TRAINEE or ON-THE-JOB as it gives a raw talent a crash course to at least 'weaponize' him before he gets bruised❎❎❎

Thing here is that there is a widening gap and disconnect.  Many [wrongly] think that if they sort of 'burn the midnight oil', voila, come next morning, they are READY enough.  BUT the hard lesson I myself learned here is that time is NOT enough.  Sometimes, people ask me for career advice and usually, NOT their fault, many are curious enough wanting to know about skills to learn, books to read, WHERE to find inspirations, stuff like that.  BUT my recurring advice is NOT about WHAT to learn.  It's more on HOW TO LEARN instead💧💧💧

Frankly, my sage advice is to find ways to get in LOTS OF REPS, especially early in your career life.  Look around for organizations WHERE REPETITION and iterative design are part of and embedded enough in that organization's culture.  And IF you CAN'T find that culture, do WHATEVER you can to create it by yourself, for yourself.  In short, to GET IN REPS is that idea of a structured learning approach through REPETITION.  Think of a musician, a violinist doing scales, OR an NBA hoopster practicing hundreds of shots.  I even heard this narrative from the Miami Heat NBA ball club where the Fil-Am Coach Erik Spoelstra dropped by the practice court and saw one shooter really DOING THE REPS💥💥💥

And before you expect things wrongly, you thought Coach Spoelstra will pat the player on his back?  NO sirrrrrs.  Instead, he challenged the player to get the ball into the cup a 100 times before he packs up for home, whew,  3 years down the road, that player, BTW that's Duncan Robinson, was offered a $90 Million contract, the biggest offer ever to an undrafted NBA player.  That's how far the Michigan player ended up with that huge NBA contract.  Again, it's all about PUTTING IN THE REPS😁😁😁

Results Matter, Period.

 

RESULTS MATTER, period.  Allow me to share EN TOTO this Quora.com post by Rebecca C.  A Minister and a Taxi Driver at the Pearly Gates 🚖👨‍⚖️😇  A minister dies and is waiting in line at the Pearly Gates.  Ahead of him is a guy who’s dressed in sunglasses, a loud shirt, a leather jacket, and jeans.  Saint Peter addresses this guy,  "Who are you, so that I may know whether or not to admit you to the Kingdom of Heaven?"  The guy replies, "I’m Joe Cohen, taxi driver, of Noo Yawk City."💚💛💜

St. Peter consults his list. He smiles and says to the taxi driver,  "Take this silken robe and golden staff and enter the Kingdom of Heaven."  The taxi driver goes into Heaven with his robe and staff, and it’s the minister’s turn.  He stands erect and booms out,  "I am Joseph Snow, pastor of Calvary for the last forty-three years."  St Peter consults his list. He says to the minister,  "Take this cotton robe and wooden staff and enter the Kingdom of Heaven."  "Just a minute," says the minister."That man was a taxi driver, and he gets a silken robe and golden staff. How can this be?!"  "Up here, we work by results," says Saint Peter.  "While you preached, people slept; while he drove, people prayed."!@#$%?

Did you ever wonder HOW you arrived exactly WHERE you are today in your life?  HOW you arrived WHERE you live now, WHERE you work and ended up in the relationships you are in OR know friends you associate with?  OR did you ever wonder WHY your body, fitness OR state of health is at the present level of condition it is in?  OR WHY is your skill levels may have peaked years ago without being prepared to cope with the fast-paced changes of technology tools out in the workplace???

Whether your self-assessment turns out to be either very positive OR very negative, the results did NOT just occur by choice OR sheer luck.  WHERE you are today is a result of the cumulative actions and decisions that you've made OR did not make during all those previous years of your life.  Frankly, this statement is a hard pill to swallow for many people because they have hundreds of reasons and excuses to blame for their sordid state of affairs [right now]💥💥💥

Our takeaway:  There is NO running away from the obvious fact that EVERY action we take and EVERY choice we make actually counts during our life.  There are just NO exceptions to this rule.  And IF you neglect one too many disciplines, eventually you have to pay and face the consequences.   BUT there's a light at the end of the tunnel here.  IT'S NEVER TOO LATE  TO MAKE BETTER CHOICES from here onwards.  YES, as St Peter said at the Gates of Heaven, RESULTS MATTER😄😄😄

How Far AI Will Impact Our Lives

 

Recently, I came across a Channelnewsasia piece titled "WHEN AI GETS A BOARD SEAT". That egged me to have that topic as our thread today.  p.s. I grabbed this pic on the left from that Channelnewsasia piece.  WHEN [and NOT IF] AI eventually takes over our lives, that should be the most contentious phenomenon because I always believe that AI is our best tool for specific purposes BUT NOT for decisions that are best arrived at by the human mind📗📙📘

Many years ago, I was at the front seat of a forum hosted by Oracle top gun Larry Ellison and he was then showcasing and giving a 'sneak preview' of WHAT's to come with regard AI, sharing actual footages of his mansion with all the intelligent systems built within.  And I was deeply in awe during that time [and unconsciously tongue-tied] because in the Third World, I can just guess how many decades [if NOT centuries] before that unfolds in my local setting.  BUT for AI to have a BOARD SEAT???

NOT even delving into scams WHERE AI is right at the side, behind, on top and in front, we may NOT be aware but a plurality of teens [NOT just in First World countries] are succumbing to AI.  I even personally believe that even as we speak now, many parents across Third World countries may NOT even be aware that WHEN their teen child seems desolate and forlorn, they succumb to the clutches of AI [even for emotional refuge]❎❎❎

Going back to this AI 'brouhaha', while almost all researches and lab experiments share consistent results that AI can indeed outperform us humans, me thinks, outside the lab, there is a super huge port of the pie WHERE decisions are best left to us, humans.  I DON'T sound to be like anti-AI because I lived my life within the technology space even as we speak now.  BUT allow me to highlight one thing here.  AI is data-driven, period.  Even assuming that all inputted data are 'clean', next question, are the data complete???  At work, we all churn out reports as part of data-driven operational excellence reporting.  BUT for AI to run our personal lives, I have very serious apprehensions😌😌😌

Our takeaway:  Let's picture out the waters parting across the Red Sea.  On one flank, let's leave AI because their large language models [LLMs] can outperform humans in most tasks related to product design, cost control and market intelligence.  At the other flank, let us leave that for humans because there are tons of life decisions WHERE AI can NEVER supplant OR override us humans.  NO WAY, Jose❗❗❗

How Many Times Did Our Brain Trick Us? Time For Us To Trick Our Brain As Well

 

HOW many times did our brain trick us?  Definitely gazillion times.   BUT WHAT amazes me is that our brain is capable of remarkable things from remembering a conversation you had with a dear friend to solving a complex mathematical problem.  BUT our mind is far from perfect though.  Sometimes, it forgets some key details too, like your overdue dentist appointment OR a meeting with a client you have been eyeing for a new contract option📘📙📗

And things can turn to worst WHEN our brain even forgets important details that cause us to even get hurt OR sick.  At the very least, these brain blips are annoying.  True, sometimes we might be inclined to write off these mistakes as simple errors OR blame stress OR a lack of time.  The fact is, "BRAIN DRAIN" is the problem and according to psychologists, that's just inevitable.  The good thing is that we are advised we can avoid some of the biases, perceptual shortcomings❌❌❌

If there's a catch, experts tell us that our mind likes to take SHORTCUTS.  This is explained by the fact that one of the biggest shortcomings of our brain is that it can get LAZY.  WHEN trying to solve a problem OR even make a decision, our mind often falls back on rules of thumbs OR solutions that have worked in the past.  Using shortcuts can be a useful and effective approach WHEN it allows you to make decisions quickly without needing to sort through every solution📌📌📌

Coined by experts as heuristics, these mental shortcuts can also trip us up and cause us to commit mistakes.  For example, e could be terrified of flying because we [wrongly] think of several tragic , high-profile lane crashes.  BUT in reality, traveling by air s much safer than traveling by car.  However, our BRAIN is using that MENTAL SHORTCUT to fool us into believing that flying is that more dangerous than it really is.  In the end, even our own thinking is sometimes swayed by those hidden biases.  LIKE predispositions an influence HOW we perceive people, HOW we think about events and WHAT aspects of a situation we can pay attention to WHEN making a decision💥💥💥

Our takeaway:  Biases can throw a monkey wrench at things, and sometimes positively though.  LIKE that so called 'halo effect' that makes us assume that a good-looking ew coworker must also e a morally good person.  WHEN that hindsight bias is at play, we might blurt out and declare categorically LIKE "I KNEW WE WERE GOING TO LOSE" after your favorite team strikes out, even though you had NO way of knowing HOW the game would unfold.  Attritional bias can make us judge a person unfairly LIKE WHEN a barista gets your order wrong on a busy morning, you might decide that they are incompetent OR DON'T care about their job.  Maybe they were just overwhelmed by HOW many orders they had to make.  So, HOW MANY TIMES DID OUR BRAIN TRICK US?  TIME FOR US TO TRICK OUR BRAIN AS WELL😁😁😁

When Do You Step Off The Gas?

Anyone heard guarantees that the roads you will be trekking will be smoothly paved as WHAT you wish for?  Without those challenges, bumps and humps all rolled into one?  I remember our Physics class way back High School WHEN our teacher asked, WHY do we use brakes in a car?  Obviously, mostly blurted, to stop the car, to reduce speed, to avoid accident.  Surprise of all surprises, our teacher said the best answer was this:  TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO DRIVE THE CAR AT HIGH SPEED'.  So, When Do You Step Off The Gas???

From a life perspective, BRAKES give us that confidence to accelerate, push forward, knowing we can control and steer safely toward our destination.  In our lives, though, the BRAKES often come disguised as parents questioning our decisions, mentors guiding us, OR friends offering unsolicited advice.  BUT one thing I observed is that sometimes [or for myself, many times in the past], I did hate the BRAKES in life because I thought I would lose that momentum WHICH, as a driver, I relish the most [as I sometimes feel I can even break the glass ceiling💥💥💥

As life is full of UPs and DOWNs, one day, you might feel like you have it all figured out.  Then in a moment's notice, you've been thrown that curve ball.  BUT you're NOT alone in those feelings because everyone has his own set of challenges.  Learning HOW to overcome challenges will help you stay centered and remain calm even WHEN under that recurring pressures in life.  It's true everyone has his own preferences for HOW to face the challenges in life.  BUT do you know there are a few good tricks here and there😊😊😊

SO HOW?  First off, we're advised to MAKE A PLAN.  WHILE you DON'T know WHAT is going to happen in the future, you can always plan ahead.  Look at the patterns in your life and see WHAT challenges you've struggled with.  Then, let us assess the 'optimal' outcomes and MAKE A PLAN for how you can achieve them.  If you work somewhere and can anticipate the types of challenges you face, then you can PLAN ahead.  Next step, always be conscious that YOU'RE NOT ALONE💚💛💜

Our takeaway:  FEEL YOUR FEELINGS.  By masking your feelings, those lingering stuff will never go away. Rather, feelings become trapped energy and can even have negative health consequences if we ignore it.  So, do take some time to feel WHAT you feel.  OR if you'd rather write down WHAT you feel, even writing down can be a therapeutic and even eventually a cathartic experience.  And WHEN you feel and share your feelings, it's likely you can see your situation in a new light.  Dude, let's be aware WHEN DO WE STEP OFF THE GAS❗❗❗

REALITY It Is! BUT PERCEPTION Is It?

 

REALITY it is!  BUT PERCEPTION is it?  As they say, it is easy to feel like this world we live in seems getting worse?  Hear the news, read social media and then add to it, our respective personal struggles all add up to that recipe that can seem that way.  BUT can we step back and look at the BIG PICTURE because very likely the data, and even your own data will paint a different picture.  True, poverty is chronic especially in Africa and in war-torn Middle East.  BUT WHY should we feel that things have turned from bad to worse📗📙📘

The mother of all caution now is all about PERCEPTION.  Because, PERCEPTION can shape up the REALITY you will see, hear OR feel [and sadly, that so-called 'REALITY' you will believe to be the gospel truth may be a 'half-truth' at best.  BUT in the simplest terms, WHAT we believe in can become the TRUTH.  That starts with our faith [YES, even atheists have that faith in themselves NOT to believe in any faith].  Worst thing here is that IF we believe that the world is falling apart, we then tend to filter information to confirm that belief [rightly OR wrongly].  WHY do we sometimes end up with this convoluted train of thought until it goes berserk💥💥💥

Studies showed and proved that our 'INNER WORLD' matters most to us.  The systems closest to us, our relationships, work and mindset, impact us more that external factors, often way beyond our control.  This explains WHY we heard 'TELL ME WHO YOUR FRIENDS ARE AND I'LL TELL WHO YOU ARE'.  Precisely, it is our association, intended OR not, that plays a huge hand in even influencing and shaping us✅✅✅

As I heard many times till to date, WE SEE WHAT WE WANT TO SEE.  If we look for NEGATIVITY, guaranteed you will find it.  BUT dude, POSITIVITY is just as present if we choose and opt to see it.  Just DON'T filter and be selective.  WHAT can we do then?  Firstly, we are NOT powerless.  We can and should, in fact, challenge our PERCEPTIONs, shift our focus and plot out our life plans.  Any day now, IF you think the world out there is harsh and terrible, YES it will likely be harsh and terrible [sadly, that will be for you]😌😌😌

Our takeaway:  I heard this sage advice many times.  Trueness, we need validation.  BUT the gross misstep is IF we end up seeking approval from OTHERS.  NO sirrrrrs.  Instead, seek approval from your own self.  Shift other peoples' needs in front of yours.  Realize it by following yourself.  BUT ooooops, if you're caught in the middle of a traffic gridlock under scorching heat, DON'T misstep by bringing down the window and yelling OR blowing your car's horns.  That's another facet of REALITY we need to face.  Meanwhile, DON'T LET PERCEPTION TAKE OVER YOU, dude❗❗❗

Do We Need To Be FEISTY?

 

Do we need to be FEISTY?  Me thinks this is one attribute so helpful and impactful in our life yet often undervalued IF NOT totally ignored.  And WHILE sometimes, the influence of cultures do come into play, I WON'T buy that excuse that it's a culture thing.  Nope.  Instead, being FEISTY is something we need to embrace for it to evolve as part of our character formation📗📙📘

As per wikiHow, WHEN we think of FEISTY people, these are the strong-willed and vivacious yet playful with that zest of life we'll envy.  I've been to one too many team-buildings and in those events, the FEISTY folks will pop-up within the 1st minute of the event.  For us to BUY-IN and develop to become a FEISTY one, it all sorts by being assertive and bold.  BTW, being FEISTY is NOT an overnight thing.  We got to develop this over time and can take years BUT the formula here is that there must be a consistent and premeditated pursuit to enhance it as part of your character-building.  NO flashes in the pan please.  And it's true that WHILE you will want to have NO qualms about saying WHAT's on your mind, still be mindful💚💛💜

YES, a very visible manifestation of FEISTY folks is that their emotions SHOW.  WHY?  It's because they want people around to know NOT just WHAT he's thinking BUT equally important, HOW's that feeling.  To a certain degree, the way you feel on the inside should be the way you behave or manifest on the outside.  So, if you want to laugh, laugh.  And if you wanna cry, cry.  Just DON'T waste time worrying about WHAT other people will think about your manifestations, be it your 'verbals' OR body language.  Be WHAT you need to be💧💧💧

Word of caution here.  Let us be 'reasonable' enough about just how extreme you might be in expressing or manifesting your emotions.   IF you tend to be frustrated with something, just DON'T groan loudly and end up rudely interrupting others.  Not to be morbid BUT if you're attending a funeral, avoid breaking into fits of giggles [even if the joke you're thinking of is really funny].  A healthy measure of common sense is key💥💥💥

Our takeaway:  One basic ingredient I learned to reinforce through the years is spelled C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-C-E.  This is easier said than done though.  CONFIDENCE will allow us to be genuine WITHOUT fear, to express ourselves without a tinge of reservation and to care about WHAT others may think in a way that's NOT dependent on their 'approval' for their satisfaction.  And YES, do relish engaging into friendly arguments.  There's NO avoiding it because that's part of the interplays.  BUT that is our chance to stretch our mental and verbal 'muscles', so to speak.  WHAT IF you're NOT FEISTY enough?  Good question.  And frankly, that's NOT the path you want to happen, for your own good dude❗❗❗