Restoring the Wonder in Your Life

If life has stopped being wonderful for you, it's because the wonder has gone.

The things that you once considered wonderful, you now take for granted.

In fact, the process of growing from an infant to an old person is the gradual but certain loss of wonder.

Being able to see the wonder in things around us is one of the ways we make our lives more meaningful and enjoyable. Just look at children for a quick lesson on how to be happy. Almost everything fascinates them, triggers ideas, generates excitement.

How can you get that vibrancy back?

While we can all certainly experience wonder in new things - new locations, new experiences, new books, new ideas, you can also re-capture past wonder and find new wonder in the things you do each day.

Think about things that have become habit for you. The next time you do them, do them as if you were a beginner again. Start with your drive or commute to work. Make it an exercise in finding wonder. Look at things with fresh eyes. Be curious. For example, you can breathe in the aroma and savour the taste of your coffee, really get lost in it.

The heat, the bittersweet taste, how it makes you feel. How does it work?

Make a list of things you found wonderful at different stages in your life.

How can you re-experience those things? And make a list of wonders you find each day or week. Start a "wonder" journal!

Plan a mini-vacation or a day trip to someplace wonderful for you.

Or go to an old event, focused on different things.

The next time you go to a movie or a game, focus less on the action and more on the audience, the way the whole thing is setup, the dynamics of the event.

Go shopping for something entirely different than you usually would. You get the idea.

Make life "wonder-full" again!

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Eugine Loh, 938Live, MediaCorp Pte Ltd

Effective Goal-Setting & Realisation

We often hear people talk about goal-setting and why it's important.

Less commonly-discussed though is how to effectively set your goals and how you can actually achieve them.

Most of us are hindered by the Big P - Procrastination.

Yes we know what we want but we think, "I guess that can wait till tomorrow". Which becomes "next week", "next month", "next year" and eventually... "never".

Many people also find themselves encumbered by fear, self-doubt or plain laziness and so put up all sorts of imaginary barriers like perceived impossibility of the dream becoming reality, lack of time or money, lack of ability, the absence of opportunities.

You know we can be very creative when it comes to finding excuses why we can't.

This is because although we do have goals, we don't have compelling reasons or motivations to make them happen. We're just now that excited about them.

Let's say one of your goals is to double your income or to cultivate a steady side income. Sure, you want more money, but why do you want it? Many people have very general or superficial reasons like "so I can buy more things" or "so I can be financially free".

You see, to make your goals exciting enough for you to actually manifest them, you've got to get down to the nitty-gritty and what's really important to you.

How exactly will the extra money improve your life? Perhaps it's so you can give your loved ones a better life - a nicer home, better insurance cover, treat them to an expensive holiday every year maybe.

Is it to invest in real estate or stocks so you can scale down your workload and still have a healthy income? Or perhaps you envision opening a small business you're passionate about that you can run in your later years?

Once your motivations are solid enough, you'll naturally want to take action to achieve your goals. But does the task seem too daunting? Well, start by finding out how exactly you're going to get to where you want to go. You've got to do the math, the research, get the practical know-how. If you've got an idea for that killer app that everyone will want to buy, then you've got to first learn how to actually create one.

Once you get into it, you'll find that it wasn't as complicated as you thought.

Like completing a marathon, if the length of the race already makes you weak at the knees, then break it down and just focus on the first few kilometers,

Get through them, then aim for the next leg.

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Eugine Loh, 938Live, MediaCorp Pte Ltd

Active Focusing

You attract what you focus on.

This principle works by charting a new direction for your mind.

You begin to see improvement, more opportunities and have more enriching and blissful experiences simply because you choose to look out for them.

Where previously you tended to expect negative things, now you are more confident and optimistic. When you actively focus on good things, your mind propels your entire being to search for them.

If you want more beauty in your life, for instance... you then actively seek out whatever is beautiful to you, focus on it, take it in and give thanks for it.

Notice the next picture you come across, the next person, the next line in a book, how the puddles glisten in the sun after the rain and bless the beauty inspires in you.

What about good ideas? Kind acts? Could you choose to focus on the positive qualities in life and bless them as well?

You will find that the more you do this, the more good things will be revealed to you and seem to "magically" come your way. There's no magic here though... you are seeing them more often because you are seeking them out more often. You are choosing to pay attention to the things you used to overlook and ignore. And it's natural also for other people to give you more good things because you seem to appreciate them more!

Unhappy, discontented people typically choose to do the opposite. They think poorly of themselves and do not expect to achieve more success. They anticipate disappointment and failure. It's no surprise that they are consistently disappointed!

An unhappy, unfulfilled person also tends to see a good thing and be envious of it, coveting it, bitter with his inability to own it.

If you choose to actively focus on positive things though, you will see a good thing and celebrate it. You will want to get to know it, understand it, learn from it and see how you can emulate its strengths. You will be nourished by it instead of being threatened by its brilliance.

When choosing to focus actively on the positive though, it's crucial to understand that though it involves a seemingly straight-forward switch in mindset, it's not something that happens overnight or is turned on like a light.

Many people are disappointed that they don't get instant results or are put off by the pomposity of affirmations like "I am confident!", "I am successful!", "I am beautiful!" and so on.

So go easy with it. Say "I'm getting more confident", "I'm increasing my chances for success", "I'm beginning to see more beauty in me".

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Eugine Loh, 938Live, MediaCorp Pte Ltd

Dealing With Aging

Humankind has always been obsessed with living longer, even forever, with stories of kings commissioning the Elixir of Life, and countless anti-aging treatments, herbal remedies and cures.

And there're medical experts who believe that the causes of aging have cures; they simply haven't been found yet.

Well, who can blame us? Given a choice, we'd all want to stay youthful forever. Impossible... but that's not going to stop us.

The good news is... gerontologists do claim that 70 percent of the aging process is controllable with the right lifestyle choices. The traditional aging process that our society has adopted unnecessarily relegates middle-aged people to early decline.

Aging is inevitable but getting old is strictly an option. You don't have to buy into society's model for how people age. Take charge of your life and refuse to shrink into the typical fossilised old age we've come to accept as normal.

Observe old people. What is it about their "oldness" you would like to avoid? How strong and flexible are you, mentally and physically?

Keep and improve what you can, while you can! You know, youth makes us arrogant.

Everyday we look into the mirror and see a seemingly unchanging image. We like what we see, so we do nothing. By the time we start worrying, it might be too late.

Also, plan your financial future. Health is paramount, but wealth helps a great deal.

And avoid the ultimate social disease. It's called retirement. Once you internalise that you are no longer productive, that you no longer have goals, decline sets in very quickly.

Everything slows - movement, reaction time, thinking, walking, talking.

The mind and body go into a shutdown mode in preparation for the final event - death. So, even if you stop working, continue contributing and being useful. Re-wire your life to embrace new activities and ambitions.

Immortality might still a pipe dream or a nightmare, depending on how you look at it but it's in our best interest to try to stay young and productive for as long as we can.

Reach out and savour the best of life!

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Eugine Loh, 938Live, MediaCorp Pte Ltd

Humour for Happiness

What is this thing called humour?

We understand laughter well enough. And we know when we find something funny.

But what makes something amusing? What do we mean when we say someone has a good sense of humour? And how can we use humour during tough times as instant pick-me-ups?

Besides feeling good, humour can be a powerful motivating tool. We may not be able to laugh our way through adversity, but a sense of humour can lessen anxiety, alleviate tensions and help us adapt when stressful changes occur.

Besides, laughter contributes to good health, which you probably know by now.

You could think of humour as a way of existing in, interacting with and perceiving the world. It immediately lightens the mood and gives you a fresh view.

Having a sense of humour is being able to take the Mickey out of Stressful people, demanding situations and the ugly side of life. It is the ability to nimbly sidestep potential flashpoints. It's about disarming, then surprising. It's a weapon of the underdog.

Job stress is something many of us face. Just remember that when it comes to work, you are not your job.

No doubt you should take your work seriously, but your job is what you do. It's not who you are. Never let your job become your life.

A good and simple way to develop a sense of humour is to collect and remember things you find funny. Jokes that comes to you via email, a humourous quote you come across in a magazine, a mis-spelt word on a sign, a comic strip or even a photo that cracks you up.

Look for the ironic and satirical in people and in events. Turn in person who annoys you at work in a comedian. Then it's comic relief each time he or she tries to frustrate you.

I say collect "things", but you know, people can be funny.

Make friends who tend to make you laugh! Try to laugh as much as you can everyday. Make others laugh too. Humour is never having to apologise even you are being corny.

Make your environment filled with fun and laughter.

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Eugine Loh, 938Live, MediaCorp Pte Ltd

Accepting Terms of Life

It's been said that in order to live a peaceful life, one must learn to accept the things one cannot change.

Many of us continue to struggle because we choose to challenge these truths or simply are not aware of them.

One of these immutable terms of Life is that you cannot make everyone life you. People will not accept you for who you are due to whatever reason and there is usually nothing you can do about it.

Often, the reason is unknowable, influence by an endless number of factors and probably doesn't even have anything to do with you per se.

Don't take these people's words or behaviour personally. Just be true to yourself.

Another of Life's truths that we have to understand is how the world is a reflection of us. To actuate any positive change in the world, we must first positively change ourself.

If we consistently bemoan the state of our life and complain about every little thing, our world is likely to seem miserable and pointless.

But if we adopt a positive attitude and see every experience as a teacher, we will find the world rich, wondrous and full of new knowledge.

Similarly, if you are friendly and helpful towards others, they are more likely to respond to you in a similar way. Reacting towards violence with violence will only escalate the hostility.

Then there is the perennial spectre of suffering, misfortune and calamity. No matter how much happiness, comfort or success you manage to achieve in your life or for your loved one, you will always hear about people dying in wars, perishing in earthquakes and floods or beaten down by a bad economy.

To our eyes, Life will always appear unjust and unfair.

People we love will pass away and misfortune may strike us even if we are the most loving, good and kind people we know.

We can only do what we can and trust that there is a higher consciousness that moves this world the way it does.

Also inevitable in Life is change.

Many of us prefer our boats not to be rocked, but change need not be bad. It can seem disorienting, frustrating, even painful. But change leads to unforeseen benefits. Trust in change and go with the flow. Learn what you can from the experience and make the most of what results from the change.

And those are some of Life's terms that we have to accept if we want to maintain peace of mind.

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Eugine Loh, 938Live, MediaCorp Pte Ltd

Making Good Memories

Nothing in life is constant. Changes occur at every moment.

Things happen to us, wonderful or painful.

People enter and leave our lives - some strangers, some casual acquaintances and a few of them leave indelible impressions on our hearts.

Most of these people we will not be able to hold on to. Memories of them, however, stay with us our entire lives, lying dusty and dear in the attic of our hearts.

Each moment presents an opportunity for us to take a mental and emotional photograph that we can store in our minds and hearts. If we lives our lives consistently taking photographs filled with negative feelings, we'll end up with an album full of unhappy images.

The memories we choose to make today can either summon a swell of regret or s surge of sweet nostalgia tomorrow.

It's therefore crucial to remind ourselves always to make good memories.

Our loved ones are simply on loan to us. They can be taken from us at any time.

Think of the last time you were with a friend or a loved one. Was it memorable?

Do you still remember the little details? Did you make an effort to capture a good memory? Or did some trifle or personal agenda get in the way?

Maybe you were too busy with something else to really listen to them.

Perhaps you were so concerned with getting your own thing done that you slightly resented that they needed your help.

Maybe you thought there would be another chance to show them that you love and care for them. Perhaps you were embarrassed that there were other people around.

Maybe you were too tired to smile, too lazy to say a nice thing or too busy with your work to make the moment special.

Memories are the only things we accumulate and keep throughout our lives.

Isn't it worthwhile to make an effort to consciously make good ones?

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Eugine Loh, 938Live, MediaCorp Pte Ltd

Taking Stock of Your Life

The modern person is faced with an unprecedented myriad of influences, expectations, and pressures. We can often feel like we are being pulled in all directions - by our parents, our jobs, our spouse, our boss, our children, our needs vs theirs, my rights vs. yours.

We all feel we have expectations and obligations that we have to fulfill... people we have to satisfy, standards we have to achieve, authority figures we have to impress, toxic people we have to put up with, rules we have to follow, people we have to influence, friends we have to win.

We may not feel as if these pressures are particularly terrorizing, but collectively they can exert a profound hold over us. They can distract us from our own dreams and desires, our own unique path towards fulfillment. That's often the reason why we feel discontented and lost.

Well, it's time to take stock of your life - what's working?, and build on that, what's not working, and get it out of the way, and what else you can do to help you become the optimum person you can be.

First of all, imagine yourself as the premise for all things. Where previously you deferred to others in terms of opinions, standards and decisions, now think critically about how you really feel, about yourself, your needs, where your life is going. Is this the life you really want, or the one you have been conditioned to desire? Listen to yourself and start making your needs your priority.

Begin identifying the toxic and negative people in your life. How are they draining your energy and keeping you from moving on to the next level? Sometimes these people are your family members or friends. It does not matter... if they are holding you back in a negative way, then let them know that you will do what's best for you, that you value them as loved ones, but it's your own life and only you can live it, for better or worse. And if these negative people are simply the people you hang out with for some reason, then stop indulging the reason to be around them.

You know we often act a certain way because it's we think it's "polite", it's "right", or it's "expected", when really all this "politeness", "rightness" or whatever isn't getting us anywhere, and is probably holding us back from other more important things.

So, do something for yourself today - critically take stock of your life and decide on a path that's right for you!

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Eugine Loh, 938Live, MediaCorp Pte Ltd

Letting Go

One of the most important and difficult skills to learn in life is letting go.

Letting go of things, of people, of environments... accepting that change is inevitable, and that very often, some things have to go to make ways for other things.

We are creatures of habit, and nothing suits us more than staying in our routines and comfort zones. But resisting change is one of the most frustrating and futile things we can do. And a lot of our unhappiness stems from not being able to let go of things that have run their natural course.

Our fascination with prolonging life, for example... as if we're really making the most of this extra time. Or fiercely holding on to archaic beliefs simply because everyone else seems to believe in them. Pining for someone who no longer cares for us. Blindly asserting that we should follow certain rules, knowing full well that these rules are made by Man, and Man is imperfect, which logically follows that rules are imperfect.

I'm not saying that you wilfully break the rules. I'm simply suggesting that we don't allow them to constrict us. Sometimes rules can prevent us from seeing the bigger picture.

The "rule" for example, that it's bad for us to be wrong. This belief causes us to seek to win every time. As a result, we learn to be in attack mode, often unleashing our power on the weak and helpless, pulverising our opponents, raising their bloody scalps as symbols of our superiority. But this kind of victor only alienates us from friends and loved ones, breeds enemies, and fills our life with suspicion and hatred.

To what end, to be right all the time? What does it really mean to win?

We should all accept that we can all be wrong sometimes, and that really isn't such a big deal. Too much time on that high horse is obviously choking some chakras.

We'd all be doing ourselves a huge favour to get over our egos. Our ego resists change, it resists the flow and cycle of life. It keeps us obsessed with judging and correcting others, while remaining blind to our own shortcomings. It keeps us stuck in a reality constructed only by our limited senses. It continues to fool us that the past matters a lot, that it affects our future. When in truth, nothing affects your future except YOU, right now.

If we can let go of our ego... only then can we learn to appreciate life for that it truly is. To appreciate the journey instead of focusing on the destination. To feel the passion instead of fixating on the "purpose". To embrace change, to allow the flow of life to enrich and fill us. To be as sinuous as the river that runs unreservedly, unyielding-ly into the sea.

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Eugine Loh, 938Live, MediaCorp Pte Ltd

Being in Control of Your Life

Are you in control of your life or do you allow life to happen to you?

Being in control of your life means that you create what you want in life. You believe that you alone are responsible for what happens to you and as such, have the power to make things better. You see the world as a place of opportunity and you move toward achieving what you desire. If things are not unfolding as you would like, you take action and explore other possibilities. Above all, you know you have choice in what you do and how you react to people and events.

If, on the other hand, life is happening to you, then you are probably blaming others or external circumstances for your bad moods, your lack of achievements and other problems. You may feel powerless over what happens to you, and depend on others to feel good about yourself. You may thing, "If only my spouse, my boss, my co-workers, my parents, my children understood me and helped me achieve my dreams or did what I wanted or what is best for me, then life would be great."

If we are waiting for things to be different or for others to make us happy, we are really a victim of circumstances, a football being kicked around.

Being in control of our lives means that we believe we have choices. It means that we can choose what is best for us.

I hear you asking, "But is it realistic or even possible to always be in control of our lives?"

Well, probably not, but you can make it a bigger and more consequential part of your life. When you do find yourself being "kicked around" as it were, try to understand what it's doing to you, and explore ways to overcome it in future.

Each day brings a new choice - will you meekly submit to life or will you actively seize control?

If you answered positively to the latter, then you have already got the right spirit, because you already understand that the choice is yours and you have consciously made it.

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Eugine Loh, 938Live, MediaCorp Pte Ltd

Maintaining a Positive Attitude

It's widely-accepted that having a positive outlook contributes greatly to a happy life. Endless studies tell us the same thing - that being cheerful and forward-looking makes us perform better at work, more creative, more contented and thus more joyful.

But how exactly do we maintain a positive attitude? Is it enough simply to always see the good in everything?

Well, let's break it down to a couple of key tasks that keep us optimistic and hopeful.

first of all, you have to believe in yourself. A sturdy sense of self-worth is the foundation upon we can begin to build a happy and successful life. You can have the best education, the talent, the opportunities and so on, but nothing will work if deep down inside, you don't trust in your abilities. If you are not happy with yourself, you will always be haunted by jealousy and envy. If you doubt yourself, fear will always hold you back from achieving your goals.

Treat yourself well. Silence the dissenting voices in your head and start inputting more positive data. Stop putting yourself down or selling yourself short. Instead, encourage yourself more! Promote and support yourself instead of being your own worst critic.

Next, you need to have goals that you can aspire to and work towards. A large part of staying positive is having things you can look forward to, benchmarks or yardsticks you can reach in order to continue building your self-esteem and value. Set goals that are both near and long-term. For example, owning your own condo in five years is a good objective but you also need things like finishing one book a week or running 5 km in under 30 minutes (without strain!) within a month of training. Every little achievement adds up!

Now you have got your goals, but how will you get there? Here's where a good action plan comes in. How much will you need to set aside each month, for instance, if you are going to be able to make your down-payment for that home in 5 years time. What will you have to modify in your lifestyle and habits in order to save that kind of money? Where are your loans going to come from and how will you service them? A good action plan lays out specific tasks that take you closer to your goals.

And don't forget to reward yourself! so many people get so worn out from sticking to their actino plans that they give up halfway. So by all means push yourself, but do remember to give yourself little incentives along the way.

Work your way towards a sunnier attitude that will take you closer to the realization of your dream.

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Eugine Loh, 938Live, MediaCorp Pte Ltd

The Importance of Self-Reliance

In our path towards happiness, self-reliance is very importance. We have to believe in ourselves, our right to exist and our claim to love and joy. We have to be able to trust in our ability to deal with adversity. We have to know that we can survive even without the help of others.

Many people give up this right when it comes to their relationships. It's almost as if when it comes to the "us", the "I" has to disappear. But depending too much on your partner or spouse or children for sustenance makes you vulnerable to attacks. Also, if you're relying on someone else for love, money, approval and so on, what happens when that person is no longer around? Or decides to leave? Would you end up helpless and alone?

Ask yourself if you are happy depending on others to make you happy. If not, make a list of goals to achieve a sense of self-validation and independence.

The first thing on your list should be to accept responsibilities. Living your life always allowing others to make things happen for you or to make your life better puts you at the mercy of others. even within a relationship, try your best to even things out. Rewards today may turn into reproach and resentment as the years wear on.

Develop an invisible, protective shield around yourself. This shield allows you to evaluate any stimuli, whether it's a verbal attack or action, from a rational standpoint. It helps you skip the initial stage where most people react personally and emotionally. It creates an automatic "cooling-off" period, time for the attack to bounce off and dissipate, time for you to recharge yourself, time for the mood to change from one of anger to resentment to one of peace.

In order to live a happy and emotionally secure life, you have to be true to yourself. You must find time to reboot your life to become the happy, well-adjusted person lying dormant inside of you.

By taking that positive step towards finding the self-reliance you deserve, you open yourself to happiness and self-fulfillment and become the person you want to be.

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Eugine Loh, 938Live, MediaCorp Pte Ltd

The Richest People

It is often been said that one doesn't have to be rich to be happy. But richness doesn't have to be defined in monetary terms.

Some of the richest people in the world don't have much money. But they are wealthy in other ways.

Such "rich" people know the speed limit. Most of us know that gives our lives joy and meaning. But many people race through life so fact that they fail to pay enough attention to them. While driving on the road of Life, they are so focused on the destination that they don't appreciate what's all around them. But the destination is uncertain. Whether we will eventually reach it or not is uncertain. What is certain are the things we pass by on the way. Don't drive too fast to notice them.

Rich people understand that in life, there is bound to be disappointment, loss and failure. They don't live in the illusion that things will always be good and the ones they love will return their love and stay by their sides forever. But they understand that they can deal with life's challenges, learn from mistakes to create future successes.

Rich people place people above things. They know that no object, no matter how valuable or pleasurable can compare to the emotional and spiritual enrichment of a loved one's kind words, caring deeds and loving touch. Having said this, human beings are fallible and imperfect creatures... and they will occasionally leave or fail us. But rich people understand this, and continue to give love and compassion in spite of it.

Rich people know that being rich does not mean having a lot of money. They realise that regardless of how much money one has, one cannot hold on to it for long. But rich people also understand the benefits of having money, and will use it to make their loved ones happy and help others regularly.

Rich people see the value in labour and hardship. They have the ability to remain faithful and content no matter what challenges they face. They realise that whether times are good or bad, they are the only times we have. No one has more or less time, and it's better to make the most of the present than dwell on the past or worry about the future.

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Eugine Loh, 938Live, MediaCorp Pte Ltd

Seeing a Beautiful World

Many of us tend to focus on the negative. Turning minor misfortunes into epic tragedies. Thinking about what we don't have, instead of what we do have. Getting jealous of others who seem to have better looks and more money, instead of exploring meaningful experiences that have nothing to do with all these things.

I wonder if primitive civilisations suffered the same problem. I doubt it... they were probably too busy meeting their basic survival needs to spin webs of woe in their minds.

It's ironic that in a society where the average man arguably has "everything" he needs... good health, good healthcare, abundant food, a sturdy roof over his head, and all the material comforts anyone could wish for... that he can be unhappy.

American writer and critic Barbara Johnson wrote about an experience on the way home from work, and how it changed her perspective of life:

The day started out rotten. I overslept and was late for work. Everything that happened at the office contributed to my nervous frenzy. By the time I reached the bus stop for my homeward trip, my stomach was one big knot.

As usual, the bus was late - and jammed. I had to stand in the aisle. As the lurching vehicle pulled me in all directions, my gloom deepened.

Then I heard a deep voice from up front, "Beautiful day, isn't it?"

Because of the crowd, I could not see the man, but I could hear him as he continued to comment on the spring scenery, calling attention to each approaching landmark. This church. That park, That cemetery. That firehouse. Soon, all the passengers were gazing out the windows. This man's enthusiasm was so contagious that I found myself smiling for the first time that day.

We reached my stop. Maneuvering toward the door, I got a look at our "guide" - a plump figure with a black beard, wearing dark glasses, and carrying a thin white cane.

Sometimes, we get so preoccupied with making a living that we forget to live. We forget that the world, with all its problems, is still a really rather wonderful and miraculous place. And that this life, with all its upsets and disappointments, its misery and pain, its sharp points and apparent pointlessness, is still fabulously, wonderfully worth living and enjoying.

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Eugine Loh, 938Live, MediaCorp Pte Ltd

Growing Older

If you are a teenager or are in your 20s, I'm pretty sure that you are thoroughly enjoy youth and haven't yet thought about aging. But growing older is something that happens to everyone. In fact, it's happening all the time.

For all its vigour and exuberance, youth can also be a time of folly, of childish whims and facies, of insecurity and self-absorption. Although it cannot be said that wisdom comes only with age, it is true that we all learn from experience. That is why our perspective changes as we grow older.

Have you ever thought about what kind of person you would like to become as you grow older? Do you hope to be more tolerant perhaps? Laugh more, maybe? Care less about what other people say and think? What about focusing more on self-improvement?

One of the gifts I have gained from growing older myself is a fuller and more secure sense of self. Disapproving voices no longer chatter as loudly or as frequently in my head. I am more comfortable with who I am and what I say or do, and are less inclined to be affected by what others think ot say. Instead, I pay more attention to the person I want to be and continue my development in the paths that I choose.

As I grow older, I hope also that I learn to talk less and listen more. Think more deeply before saying or doing something. And to let go of the need to be right all the time. To accept that we all make mistakes, but we can all learn to avoid making the same ones in the future.

What about you? What would you like to grow into as you age? What are the traits in admire in the older people you know? perhaps it's to be more generous? To share more of your wealth, your wisdom, your humour, your time. Maybe it's to treat each new day as a blessing, a bonus and a day not to be wasted on sour moods.

Maybe some of us would like to be less envious of what other people have, and focus more on how we can make the best of what we have. Envy just makes us bitter, whereas with self-improvement comes more empowerment and self-confidence.

What about becoming less obsessed with the details? To take life more lightly, and not make everything an event or disaster? To let go of the need to straighten everything and everybody out and just heave a great big sigh of relief and just enjoy things as they are?

Let age teach us to be more thoughtful, more self-aware, accepting and loving, of ourselves and others.

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Eugine Loh, 938Live, MediaCorp Pte Ltd

The Four Quarters of Effective Time-Management

It seems there's always more and more to do, but we're not getting more time to do it. We each have our own way of managing this limited time, but many of these methods can be very stressful.

The problem is that these tight schedules often advance our corporate of financial goals but starve us of emotional and spiritual nourishment. This model of time-management is not sustainable as it's skewed towards certain needs and not others.

The key then to an effective time-management model is balance. If you divide your life into four quarters, they would roughly fall into these broad categories:

First, your basic needs - this quarter contains all the essential things your physical body needs in order to function efficiently. This includes things like wholesome foods, quality sleep, enough water and exercise and so on.

The next quarter comprises our creative faculties. This mainly includes our store of knowledge, talents and skills, but can consist of anything creative or inspirational like new ideas, empowering attitudes and self-improvement practices. This quarter also includes work and projects that help develop our skills.

The third quarter is concerned primarily with intellectual thought. It is different from the creative quarter because it doesn't include any action. This is pure thinking - things like introspection, evaluation of the people and things around you, planning, problem-solving, analyzing, learning and decision-making. This quarter is also heavily involved with the metaphysical or the philosophical realms of your being - what's our purpose? What gives our lives meaning? This quarter is what gives passion and intent to our activities.

The final quarter involves our relationships - with our partners, our kin, our friends, our colleagues and associates. The activities we engage in that involve or are related to them - the time we spend with them, the love and care we show them, the conversations we have with them, the emotional rewards that we get from quality relationships.

Spread your time equally among these four quarters and you are well on your way to achieving the success and happiness you want.

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Eugine Loh, 938Live, MediaCorp Pte Ltd