tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83476322024-03-16T15:32:31.598+08:00PYThis blog is intended to provide the space to write down my ideas, reflections, feelings, thoughts and whatever I would like to share. It shall also lend some access to part of my inner-world. Please be gentle with your comments about my posts. Thank you.
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All rights reserved.oceanskies79http://www.blogger.com/profile/15637499843542653266noreply@blogger.comBlogger3031125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347632.post-42459383087908791342022-03-16T23:11:00.000+08:002022-03-16T23:11:04.552+08:00How to support a person who could be experiencing family violence?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="358" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g4z7QOjJiVY" width="479" youtube-src-id="g4z7QOjJiVY"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">How to support a person/friend who could be experiencing family violence?</span></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. Notice and identify if there is sign/symptom of family violence.</span></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. Show that you care. Ask questions if needed to clarify.</span></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. Listen.</span></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">4. Point the person to resources to seek help. </span></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">If the person is NOT ready to seek help, show that you care, and find out what is a safe way to pass the information on the resources to the person for his/her future references.</span></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Note: In event of immediate emergency (e.g. when the person experiencing family violence is at immediate risk of danger), please contact the police hotline for assistance as soon as possible.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Reflections that have led to the creation of this video:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Each of us deserves to respect and safety. While many of us take being respected and safe for granted, there are people who experience family violence and live in fear, even in their own homes, behind the closed doors, away from the eyes of the public. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The issue of family violence is, however, not a new one. When the pandemic in 2020 started, many families experienced additional stress and conflict in
having to juggle between familial duties and work commitments, amidst greater uncertainty, spending extended time at home and having lesser time out of their homes to get a breather. 5135 family violence cases were reported in Singapore in the year in 2020 (Source: <a href="https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/police-release-figures-on-family-violence-offences-for-first-time-5135-reports-made-in" target="_blank">The Straits Times, 21 Jan 2021</a>). The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, said that there was a 10 percent rise in family violence cases every month between April and December in 2020. The figures could just be the tip of the iceberg. Many instances of family violence may have not been reported.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Realising that the issue of family violence cannot be tolerated and that people experiencing family violence needs support, I came up with a series of video on how to support a person who could be experiencing family violence. The videos were first produced in Mandarin to reach out the Mandarin-speaking audiences. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have subsequently created a shorter video in English on this topic. The videos were created to support members of the general public when they suspect that a loved one, a colleague, a friend or even another member of the public could be experiencing family violence.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Each of us can make a difference in our own way. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It could take up to 3 minutes of your time to watch this video on how to lend support to someone experiencing family violence yet it could tip the balance to that someone's favour and save him/her from being hurt, emotionally and/or physically. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Do watch the video now if you have not already done so.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Additional Resources:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Helplines to call for assistance when experiencing family violence in Singapore:</li><ul><li style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">PAVE Integrated Services for Individual and Family Protection: 6555 0390</li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0.25em 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">TRANS SAFE Centre: 6449 9088</li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0.25em 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">Care Corner Project StART: 6476 1482</li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0.25em 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">Big Love Child Protection Specialist Centre: 6445 0400</li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0.25em 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">HEART @ Fei Yue Child Protection Specialist Centre: 6819 9170</li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0.25em 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">ComCare hotline: 1800-222 0000</li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0.25em 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">The National CARE hotline: 1800-202-6868</li></ul></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>AWARE Singapore. <a href="https://www.aware.org.sg/information/dealing-with-family-violence/" target="_blank">Dealing with Family Violence</a>.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.gov.sg/article/what-to-do-if-you-know-someone-is-experiencing-family-violence" target="_blank">What to do if you know someone is experiencing family violence. These are helplines to call for assistance</a>. (Gov.sg, 24 Jul 2020)</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>In Singapore, the Taskforce on Family Violence was set up in February 2020 to develop a
comprehensive understanding of the family violence landscape in Singapore, and to bring together
various stakeholders to jointly develop recommendations. <a href="https://www.mha.gov.sg/docs/default-source/default-document-library/family-violence-taskforce-report.pdf" target="_blank">The report was subsequently made available in September 2021</a>. If you are interested in the statistic, the family violence landscape or you are a professional supporting people experiencing family violence, you can read the report "<a href="https://www.mha.gov.sg/docs/default-source/default-document-library/family-violence-taskforce-report.pdf" target="_blank">Tackling Family Violence: Awareness. Prevention. Protection. Accountability.</a>" here: <a href="https://www.mha.gov.sg/docs/default-source/default-document-library/family-violence-taskforce-report.pdf">https://www.mha.gov.sg/docs/default-source/default-document-library/family-violence-taskforce-report.pdf</a> </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>AWARE has produced a factsheet "<a href="https://www.aware.org.sg/information/violence-against-women-in-singapore/" target="_blank">Public perceptions and attitudes towards violence against women</a>" based on results from a survey conducted between 2012 - 2013. </li></ul><div>If you are a social work professional and/or practitioner practising outside Singapore and know of resources in your locality that could support people who are experiencing family violence, please do share the resources by commenting in the comment section of this post. Thank you. </div></div><h2 style="color: #333333; font-family: Poppins, Helvetica, Calibri; margin: 20px 0px 0px; outline: none; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><br /></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>oceanskies79http://www.blogger.com/profile/15637499843542653266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347632.post-49356035369632167702022-03-15T20:38:00.005+08:002022-03-15T20:42:21.139+08:00Stop Cyberbullying: What to do if someone bullies you on social media platforms?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="317" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SWYrFb3It64" width="488" youtube-src-id="SWYrFb3It64"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">During a conversation with a friend whose child had experienced being bullied, I realised I had taken-for-granted the knowledge and resources that I have learnt as a professional social worker. I didn't realise that most people may not have easy access to the information and resources that I have!</span><p></p><p><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">In reality, to arm myself with adequate professional knowledge on the issue of managing situations of being bullied, I had read up books, attended workshops and conferences, so as to keep myself adequately well-informed of the issue. Doing so ensures that I am always ready to support others in such an issue when I am approached for help.</span></p><p><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
If you are a parent, a teenager or even a child reading this blog, you can equip yourself with the knowledge and skills to put an end to cyberbullying. </span></p><p><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">You can do so by learning how to respond when someone bullies you on a social media. </span></p><p><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The steps are:</span></p><p><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stop,
Block (communication with the bully),
Save (the evidence), and
Tell (a trusted adult)
</span></p><p><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">You deserve respect and peace. If you need more support, please speak to a trusted adult and ask for help to end cyberbullying.</span></p><p><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
Credits & Acknowledgements: </span><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://bullyfree.sg</span></p>oceanskies79http://www.blogger.com/profile/15637499843542653266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347632.post-75870821730578698042021-02-09T21:09:00.001+08:002021-02-09T21:09:07.322+08:00Songwriting: Goodbye to what we knew<p>Perhaps it's time </p><p>That we knew will never be back again</p><p>When no hope was left</p><p>To mend the broken ones back again</p><p>Maybe it's a sign </p><p>To start anew and create something from zero again</p><p><br /></p><p>Perhaps it's time</p><p>We bid farewell to each other forever</p><p>I am sorry I could not ever make sense</p><p>What could heal that crack between us</p><p>Maybe it's a sign</p><p>Of a deep space we could hold for one another</p><p><br /></p><p>Goodbye to what we knew that's so familiar</p><p>Goodbye to the yesterday we used to know</p><p>Thank you for the memories that we share</p><p>Goodbye if we never come back square one again.</p><p>(x2)</p><p><br /></p><p>When we meet once again in heavens again</p><p>Maybe the yesterday we knew was not a time-based reality</p><p>But an eternity we have created to heal</p><p>All of that rifts in this world we once knew</p><p><br /></p><p>Goodbye to what we knew that's so familiar</p><p>Goodbye to the yesterday we used to know</p><p>Thank you for the memories that we share</p><p>Goodbye if we never come back square one again.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>By Cheng Pei Yun</p>oceanskies79http://www.blogger.com/profile/15637499843542653266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347632.post-65590126744042198722020-01-19T12:48:00.001+08:002020-03-27T10:03:46.973+08:00Bass Line on 4 Apr 2020<b><a href="https://www.ystmusic.nus.edu.sg/event/bass-line-040420/" target="_blank"><strike>Bass Line</strike></a></b><br />
<b><a href="https://www.ystmusic.nus.edu.sg/event/bass-line-040420/" style="text-decoration: line-through;" target="_blank">4 Apr 2020 Sat, 6.00 p.m. </a> [CANCELLED]</b><br />
Conservatory Orchestra Hall (Level 3),<br />
Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music<br />
National University of Singapore<br />
3 Conservatory Drive<br />
Singapore 117376<br />
Free Admission<br />
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Students from the Conservatory's Bass studio, led by Artist Faculty, Guennadi Mouzyka, performs original music and transcriptions for Bass solo and Bass ensemble. For more information, please visit: <a href="https://www.ystmusic.nus.edu.sg/event/bass-line-040420/#">https://www.ystmusic.nus.edu.sg/event/bass-line-040420/#</a><br />
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oceanskies79http://www.blogger.com/profile/15637499843542653266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347632.post-10494363289416441572019-12-30T12:41:00.000+08:002019-12-30T14:06:30.010+08:00Brené Brown's Braving the WildernessTitle: Braving the Wilderness<br />
Author: Brené Brown<br />
Publisher: Vermilion London (2017)<br />
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I was recommended to read this book when I shared that there were times when I felt I had not belonged.<br />
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Essentially, the message from the author is:<br />
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"True belonging is the spiritual practice of believing in and belonging to yourself so deeply that you can share your most authentic self with the world and find sacredness in both being a part of somethng and standing alone in the wilderness. True belonging doesn't require you to change who you are; it requires you to <i>be</i> who you are."<br />
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In this book, which gathered data from the author's research, she outlined that braving the wilderness is the hardest of all calls to courage. Th call was for us to show up and stand up for our beliefs, in civil and respectful ways. The book ends with a quote from Maya Angelou:<br />
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"You are only free when you realize you belong no place - you belong every place - no place at all. The price is high. The reward is great."<br />
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oceanskies79http://www.blogger.com/profile/15637499843542653266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347632.post-67157867572478013582019-12-30T12:07:00.001+08:002019-12-30T12:07:33.960+08:00Read: Beyond WillpowerTitle: Beyond Willpower: The Secret Principle to Achieving Success in Life, Love and Happiness<br />
Author: Alexander Loyd, Ph.D., N.D.<br />
Published by: Harmony Books (2015)<br />
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When I was at the library, I was browsing for a book to borrow to read. I somehow picked up this book to read. The author shared his personal story and how he had been transformed by what he termed as 'the Greatest Principle". In a nutshell what is needed to be known is:<br />
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"Virtually every problem or lack of happiness and success comes from an internal state of fear in some form - even physical problems. And every internal state of fear results from a deficit of love in relation to that particular issue."<br />
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In this book, the author wrote about the 'stress response' mechanism which results from internal fear and causes the release of cortisol that could result in symptoms such as illnesses, pain and so forth.<br />
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On the other hand, the author also wrote about the concept of 'internal love which cause the natural release of oxytocin and can programme a person to succeed.<br />
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In this book, he outlined steps to lay the foundations of the Greatest Principle.<br />
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For a principle that requires regular practice to demonstrate its effectiveness, while I appreciate the author's generosity to share the principles in writing, I would appreciate more to have the support from him personally to practise the principles and test its effectiveness when it is applied to life. Nevertheless, I am thankful to be acquainted to this book.<br />
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oceanskies79http://www.blogger.com/profile/15637499843542653266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347632.post-9348133609225608902019-09-16T07:33:00.000+08:002019-12-30T14:06:49.980+08:00Edith Sheffer's Asperger's Children: The Origins of Autism in Nazi ViennaTitle: Asperger's Children The Origins of Autism in Nazi Vienna<br />
Author: Edith Sheffer<br />
Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company (2018)<br />
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Edith Sheffer is a historian of Germany and central Europe, and a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Europen Studies at the University of California, Berkeley at the point of printing of this book. This book will be a must read for anyoen who wants a historical perspective and depth to what is known commonly as the Asperger Syndrome and that of what is commonly referred to as "Autism".<br />
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This book carries out a series of investigations of the historical and socio-political context particularly around the period of Nazi Vienna, which could have shaped what we now know as autism.<br />
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The author's beloved son wasdiagnosed with autism when he was seventeen months old. Yet he was aganist the idea of autism and the position is: "Autism is not real; we all have issues. However, some are more noticeable than others. Autism is not a diability or diagnosis. It is a stereotype for certain individuals. People with autism should be treated like everyone else, because if they are not, it will make them be even less social...."<br />
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Definitely a book that I would recommend all professionals who work with people diagnosed with any form of Autism Spectrum Disorder, for a glimpse of what could be a historical and socio-political context that could have shaped autism.<br />
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Personally, I will be curious to find out whether even earlier in history, how societies or cultures view people who could have presented descriptions of behaviours that appear similar to what has been identified today as typically behaviours presented by people diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.<br />
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oceanskies79http://www.blogger.com/profile/15637499843542653266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347632.post-44536861719685553072019-09-15T07:20:00.000+08:002019-12-30T14:07:06.109+08:00Read: Simone's AspergirlsAuthor: Rudy Simone<br />
Title: Aspergirls: Empowering Females with Asperger Syndrome<br />
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers (2010)<br />
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This is a very accessible book possibly written for females with Asperger Syndrome, their parents, family members, partners, and everyone else. It appears to distinct itself by highlighting that the symptoms and challenges presented by females with Asperger Syndrame are often different from those than males with the same diagnosis. This book is aimed to be a handbook written by "an Aspergirl for Aspergirls".<br />
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A very accessible read with a personal perspective for anyone who is curious to read more about this end of the Autism Spectrum Disorder.<br />
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oceanskies79http://www.blogger.com/profile/15637499843542653266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347632.post-14915836570592516932019-09-14T07:14:00.000+08:002019-12-30T14:07:22.434+08:00Read: Grandin's The Autistic BrainAuthor: Temple Grandin and Richard Panek<br />
Title: The Autistic Brain: Thinking Across the Spectrum<br />
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (2013)<br />
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An insightful read from Temple Grandin and Richard Panek on the Autistic Brain. The key narrative voice of this book seemed to be that of Temple Grandin who speaks from her personal experiences combined with her understanding of research on autism.<br />
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This book sheds light on how neuroimaging and the technology of functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging sheds deeper light into the anatomical structures inside the brain, and the likely difference between a neural-typical brain and that of someone who could have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis.<br />
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I am left with the question, is ASD truly predetermined biologically or influenced by nurture. This remained open for further investigations.<br />
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This is one of the books I would recommend a read for an understanding in the topic of ASD.<br />
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oceanskies79http://www.blogger.com/profile/15637499843542653266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347632.post-78811794090350988602019-05-03T09:00:00.001+08:002019-12-30T14:07:37.970+08:00Read: Singer's The Surrender ExperimentAuthor: Michael A. Singer<br />
Title: The Surrender Experiment: My Journey into Life's Perfection<br />
Publisher: Yellow Kite Books<br />
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This book was recommended by a friend of mine, and I borrowed it from the library.<br />
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The book speaks of the author's personal experiences of his decision to let go of his personal preferences and simply let life call the shots. A radical experience in some ways, and I wonder how much I could embrace a life of total surrender like he has done, to let go of himself.<br />
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Whatever it is, I am thankful for the read, and have caught a glimpse of what it could mean to fully surrender to the callings of life itself.<br />
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oceanskies79http://www.blogger.com/profile/15637499843542653266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347632.post-91425827176272738652019-02-10T22:48:00.002+08:002019-02-10T22:48:48.303+08:00Gedun Chöpel: Tibetan Arts of LoveAuthor: Gedun Chöpel<br />
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Introduced and Translated by: Jeffrey Hopkins, with Dorje Yudon Yuthok</div>
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Title: Tibetan Arts of Love</div>
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Publisher: Snow Lion, Shambhala Publications Inc (1992).</div>
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A friend of mine pointed to me that this was one of the books recommended by the author of another book that I was reading, and I managed to get a loan to this book. This edition is a translation of Gedun Chöpel's "Treatise on Passion" by Jeffrey Hopkins.</div>
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In this edition, Professor Jeffrey Hopkins gave an accessible introduction to the life of Gedun Chöpel. Gedun Chöpel was a former monk considered to be highly controversial. Gedun Chöpel had travelled to India, where he learned Sanskrit and studied the <i>Kama Sutra</i>.</div>
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Jeffrey Hopkins pointed and highlight in the introduction how Gedun Chöpel's "Treatise on Passion" shows sensitivity and concern towards the equality of women. "Treatise on Passion" also discussed on the theme of the sexual pleasure of women and how to achieve it. Other themes that were recurrently discussed in Gedun Chöpel's "Treatise on Passion" were the relationships between sexual pleasure and spiritual insights, the ethic of love, and others.</div>
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It was interesting and eye-opening as a female reader to read on this subject matter of love, sex, orgasm and spiritual healing from Gedun Chöpel's perspective. Gedun Chöpel who had once been a monk with vows of celibacy, had travelled and read in depth, exercised independent thinking on the subject matter. It helps to please read this book with the awareness that whatever was written was from a perspective of the writer, Gedun Chöpel, who had practised as a former Tibetan monk, and the socio-cultural background that he was living in. I have found it helpful to first read the introduction by Professor Jeffrey Hopkins to gain some understanding of the context of the worldview of Gedun Chöpel and the references that he has referred to.<br />
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Please exercise independent thinking with the awareness that the book was from the lenses of the author and his understanding of the references and texts that he had read, through the translation of another person who did his best to give as close a translation as possible.</div>
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oceanskies79http://www.blogger.com/profile/15637499843542653266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347632.post-91791069608007577762019-02-09T13:33:00.000+08:002019-12-30T14:06:04.739+08:00Read: Stranger in a Strange LandTitle: Stranger in a Strange Land<br />
Author: Robert A. Heinlein<br />
Publisher: New English Library (1991)<br />
<br />
This book is said to be a Science Fiction Classic. I learnt that the edition that I was reading is the original edition that was first conceived and put down on paper by the author, Robert Heinlein.<br />
<br />
This science fiction book revolves around the protagonist, Valentine Michael Smith, who is essentially a man who has been brought up as a Martian. Somehow, science fiction book did not appeal to me enough for me to resonate with every page of the book. Nevertheless, I managed to browse through and read the book pretty quickly to get the gist of it.<br />
<br />
Possibly, the book's message could be that potentially each of us is God, and that the gift of being human is the right to love?<br />
<br />
What struck me was the author's attempt to illustrate how the cultures and worldview of Man and Martians could be so diverse, and to illustrate how the upbringing of a Man raised as a Martians somehow expands the idea of the capacity of what a Man could be.<br />
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oceanskies79http://www.blogger.com/profile/15637499843542653266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347632.post-90237779342790912352019-02-05T13:18:00.002+08:002019-02-05T13:35:30.839+08:00Read: The Courage to Be DislikedTitle: The Courage To Be Disliked - How to free yourself, change your life and achieve real happiness<br />
Authors: Ichiro Kishmi and Fumitake Koga<br />
Publisher: Allen & Unwin<br />
<br />
This book was a recommendation from a friend. It was said to be an enormous bestseller in Asia.<br />
<br />
The book is based upon the theories of the Alfred Adler and addressed the notion set in the title of this book by discussing the following key aspects:<br />
1) Deny trauma<br />
2) All problems are interpersonal relationship problems<br />
3) Discard other people's tasks<br />
4) Where the centre of the world is<br />
5) To live in earnest in the here and now<br />
<br />
This book is written in a manner that revolves around a conversation between a philosopher and a young man. While I appreciate that this style of writing facilitated the accesibility of reading the book and allowed the subject of Alfred Adler's theories to weave like a conversational dialogue to a lay-person, I somehow found myself reading the entire book and not being able to pinpoint what I have learnt from it. Either I have not fully grasp the messages from this book or I had assimilated the teachings subconsciously.<br />
<br />
This may not be the book I would readily pick up again, at least not in the near future.oceanskies79http://www.blogger.com/profile/15637499843542653266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347632.post-75761416880913229612018-12-05T23:03:00.000+08:002019-02-05T13:34:53.283+08:00Read: The Tibetan Book of Living and DyingAuthor: Sogyal Rinpoche<br />
Title: The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying<br />
Published in 2017 by Rider<br />
<br />
This edition of the book that I was reading is the 25th anniversary edition. A preoccupation with death and a search for the meaning of living had brought me to borrow this book to read.<br />
<br />
I possibly have not fully comprehend the depths of this book in a single reading. The book had been such profound to read that at various moments of reading the book, I was tearing and crying from the heart, feeling moved by what I had read.<br />
<br />
The author wrote about a question that one of his students asked him "What in your heart of hearts do you really want to happen through this book when it is published?" The author found himself saying "I want every human being not to be afraid of death, or of life; I want every human being to die at peace, and surrounded by the wisest, clearest, and most tender care, and to find the ultimate happiness that can only come from an understanding of the nature of mind and of reality."<br />
<br />
From my experience of reading this book, it could open up more exploration on the topic of living and dying. I will not be surprised to find myself referring to this book in the future.<br />
<br />
<br />oceanskies79http://www.blogger.com/profile/15637499843542653266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347632.post-73184362100701040622018-11-20T00:06:00.000+08:002018-11-20T00:06:05.683+08:00Read: Robert Schwartz's Your Soul's PlanTitle: Your Soul's Plan - Discovering the Real Meaning of the Life You Planned Before You Were Born<br />
Author: Robert Schwartz<br />
Publisher: Frog Books<br />
<br />
This is not the kind of book I would have readily pick up to read. Sheer curiousity at a moment in time got me to me intereested in this book when a friend of mine started to read it and shared some of what she was present to from the book on Facebook. The book was pointed to this friend of mine in a chat-group by someone I knew.<br />
<br />
I realized that my local library holds copies of this book in ebook form, and borrowed a copy of the ebook to read.<br />
<br />
This book will be quite a meaningful read for any one who will like a paradigm shift in the way he/ she looks at life-challenges. This book explores the concept of pre-birth planning. Thanks to the generosity of several individuals who participated in sharing their stories in this book, the book explored how the individuals involved could have planned their challenges, and the amount of courage it could require to live the plans.<br />
<br />
I am choosing to remain open yet openly skeptical about the possibility of pre-birth plannning. At the same time, in this world where there are so many mysteries, this could be a book to read to open ourselves up to new paradigm.<br />
<br />
For more information on Rob Schwartz and Your Soul's Plan, please refer to: <a href="https://www.yoursoulsplan.com/">https://www.yoursoulsplan.com</a>oceanskies79http://www.blogger.com/profile/15637499843542653266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347632.post-75764874457004735622018-11-10T23:32:00.002+08:002018-11-11T00:17:39.727+08:00Read: Sonia Choquette's Traveling at the Speed of LoveTitle: Traveling at the Speed of Love<br />
Author: Sonia Choquette<br />
Publisher: Hay House, Inc<br />
<br />
I was introduced by a friend, whom I have gotten to know when I was travelling in Boston, to the writings by Sonia Choquette. I borrowed this book from the local library, and found her writings to be accessible and exuding a sense of humour that is light-hearted and lively.<br />
<br />
This book essentially communicates the message of choosing to live in a frequency of unconditional love. In a modern world when many of us travel at the frequency of fear and exist in a victim consciousnesss, her book encourages us to take our power back by travelling at the speed of love.<br />
<br />
I like the way that this book has been written to demonstrate the power of her imaginative use of anecdotes and examples. A book that I will recommend. I will be happy to receive this book as a resource to my personal library in the near future.oceanskies79http://www.blogger.com/profile/15637499843542653266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347632.post-55623992298092642482018-11-01T23:32:00.000+08:002020-02-19T14:35:15.915+08:00Read: Redfield's The Celestine Prophecy: An AdventureTitle: The Celestine Prophecy: An Adventure (copyright 1993)<br />
Author: James Redfield<br />
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing, New York, Boston.<br />
<br />
This book was a recommendation to me. I felt very thankful that by sheer intuition, I went to a local library to borrow this book without first checking the catalogue and was pleasantly surprised that the very local library that I had gone to had stored one copy of the book, and it was available!<br />
<br />
Essentially, the protagonist in this book undertook a journey to find and understand a series of nine spiritual insights that were found in an ancient manuscript in Peru.<br />
<br />
The Nine Insights of The Celestine Prophecy have been listed in this site: <a href="https://www.gurus.org/dougdeb/Courses/bestsellers/Celestine/Insights.htm">https://www.gurus.org/dougdeb/Courses/bestsellers/Celestine/Insights.htm</a><br />
<br />
The Third Insight speaks of an energy that forms the basis of all things. The perception of this energy by humans can be initiated with an increased awareness of beauty. The chapter on the Third Insight also pointed to how human beings can develop the capacity to notice when and how we give and receive the energy.<br />
<br />
In the Sixth Insight, revelation about the different kind of "control dramas" which are patterns of causing others to give us energy were described. Essentially, to be in a state of love with the world on a regular basis, we have to let go of the pattern of behaviour described by these control dramas. The four of them are namely: The Intimidator, The Interrogator, The Aloof, The Poor Me.<br />
<br />
The Eighth Insight illustrates about interpersonal ethics of relating to others.<br />
<br />
The Ninth Insight speaks of the posibility that when humans continue to increase our vibrations to a certain level, we can become invisible o those who are still vibrating at a lower level.<br />
<br />
A book worthwhile to read.<br />
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oceanskies79http://www.blogger.com/profile/15637499843542653266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347632.post-64174916517933222712018-05-05T21:55:00.002+08:002018-05-05T21:55:25.281+08:00Read: David Hawkin's Letting Go: The Pathway of SurrenderAuthor: David Hawkin<div id="UMS_TOOLTIP" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; cursor: pointer; left: -100000px; position: absolute; top: -100000px; z-index: 2147483647;">
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Title: Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender</div>
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<div>
Written in accessibly manner, this book describes the steps to let of negativity. A book that has brought me comfort when I read it. A book that is suitable for anyone interested in the subject matter.</div>
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oceanskies79http://www.blogger.com/profile/15637499843542653266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347632.post-85111087870426104392018-02-04T11:40:00.000+08:002018-02-04T11:41:32.863+08:00Read: Power of SoundTitle: Power of Sound: Tune in to the Secrets of Joyous Living Using Himalayan Singing Bowls<br />
Author: Dr Sujata Singhi<br />
Publisher: Happy Self Publishing (2017)<br />
<br />
Thanks to one of my friends, I learnt about Himalayan Singing Bowls and the work of Dr Sujata Singhi. When Dr Sujata Singhi was in Singapore last year, I attended one of the sound spa workshops that she has conducted and received a copy of her book.<br />
<br />
Power of Sound, is a book on the healing power of sound, especially through the use of Himalayan Singing Bowls.<br />
<br />
The first chapter of the book sets the context of what healing is about. This chapter also lends a glimpse to Dr Sujata Singhi's personal journey that led her to healing using Himalayan Singing Bowls.<br />
<br />
Subsequent chapters discuss about concepts such as "chakras", the qualities of sounds, and more about the Himalayan Singing Bowls.<br />
<br />
An accessible book to read.<br />
<br />
More information on Dr Sujata Singhi's work is accessible from: <a href="http://sujatasinghi.com/">http://sujatasinghi.com</a>oceanskies79http://www.blogger.com/profile/15637499843542653266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347632.post-425596146800679792017-10-03T11:23:00.000+08:002019-12-30T14:08:22.659+08:00Read: Kahn's A Beginner's Guide to Charting Financial MarketsAuthor: Michael Kahn<br />
Title: A Beginner's Guide to Charting Financial Markets: A practical introduction to technical analysis for investors.<br />
<br />
In an endeavour to understand technical analysis so as to have accesss to a tool that could be used to aid in investment decisions, I borrowed this book from the public library.<br />
<br />
It is interesting how technical analysis is based solely on data generated by the market and by the actions of the people in the market.<br />
<br />
One learning points that I have gained from the book is that technical analysis focuses on how stock prices are moving and how powerful the moves are. Essentially, the technical analysis is achieved by analysing price and volume, and the derivative measures, to ultimately measure supply and demand.<br />
<br />
A systematic introductory book to read to appreciate technical analysis. I appreciate the illustrations made by the examples given in the book. At the same time, I felt there were something critical that I could be missing to fully gain sufficient confidence in reading the charts.<br />
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oceanskies79http://www.blogger.com/profile/15637499843542653266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347632.post-59850660574441653852017-10-02T15:19:00.000+08:002019-12-30T14:07:53.933+08:00Read: David Hawkins' Power vs Force<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kc7-P4vhyphenhyphenOfiZwxk_y-NW_LUIHIAeOGvZC2eWZihedVBawKk78lce4AQCNDmCRSSXqM5vf6f4Vr8NR5WZJiwsu54RICe7TRToek0F44MbfpGpx7li747pmtWsvJ21Oy7xC8p/s1600/9781401945077_500h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kc7-P4vhyphenhyphenOfiZwxk_y-NW_LUIHIAeOGvZC2eWZihedVBawKk78lce4AQCNDmCRSSXqM5vf6f4Vr8NR5WZJiwsu54RICe7TRToek0F44MbfpGpx7li747pmtWsvJ21Oy7xC8p/s320/9781401945077_500h.jpg" width="201" /></a></div>
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<br />
Author: David R. Hawkins<br />
<div>
Title: Power vs Force</div>
<div>
Publisher: Hay House</div>
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<div>
This was a book recommended by one of my friends who so generously lent me the book to read.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A book that builds on applied kinesiology and behavioral kinesiology. I have found it profound and interesting to read. It took me less than a week to read this book.</div>
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<div>
Do have a good read of this book.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Foreword in this book is already very inviting, "Imagine - what if you had access to a simple yes-or-no answer to any question you wished to ask? A demonstrably true answer. Any question... think about it."</div>
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oceanskies79http://www.blogger.com/profile/15637499843542653266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347632.post-49158967697210845422017-08-21T23:08:00.000+08:002017-08-21T23:08:02.111+08:00Read: Secrets of Happy CouplesTitle: Secrets of Happy Couples<br />
Author: Kim Olver<br />
Publisher: InsiderOut Press, Chicago, Illinois<br />
<br />
This book is dedicated to those who want more love in their lives.<br />
<br />
The author is a licensed clinical professional counsellor, life coach, founder of Coaching for Excellence LLC and creator of the InsideOut Empowerment process. This book was part of the results of the author spending two years compiling the research and survey data for "Secrets of Happy Couple". This book is about the secrets of happy, satisfied, and committed couples who had been together at least ten years.<br />
<br />
So in essence, self-love is the secret ingredient to happy, thriving relationships.<br />
<br />
In this book, the author referred to Dr William Glasser's "Eight Lessons for a Happier Marriage". These Healthy Relationship Habits are:<br />
1. Listening<br />
2. Supporting<br />
3. Encouraging<br />
4. Trusting<br />
5. Respecting<br />
6. Accepting<br />
7. Negotiating differences<br />
<br />
Yet this book is more than the Eight Healthy Relationship Habits. It sheds light on what the empirical data says about the secrets of happy, satisfied and committed couples. I was reading this book from a professional angle. Yet it is quite a good book to read for any layperson who's married or single, and wants to learn more about healthy relationships.<br />
<br />
I am glad that I have finally completed my read of this book after putting it on a long one-year halt in between.oceanskies79http://www.blogger.com/profile/15637499843542653266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347632.post-84824552728478810202017-06-13T17:10:00.000+08:002017-06-13T17:10:59.935+08:00Read: Turning Goals into Results<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lVnsw1QCNB1MQGyUmXerHf8t-j1zMXy7kFabwSj3Q7Ihf_31tzXtO0Ba8VoD8T28Pu9kTFOZQ34ntUcI5Ofj4eL8_pO_Y1VzunGuP0wm8hgBD2ldkbFK2lAbSVhvVYV4bhyj/s1600/71Oqf36RmxL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lVnsw1QCNB1MQGyUmXerHf8t-j1zMXy7kFabwSj3Q7Ihf_31tzXtO0Ba8VoD8T28Pu9kTFOZQ34ntUcI5Ofj4eL8_pO_Y1VzunGuP0wm8hgBD2ldkbFK2lAbSVhvVYV4bhyj/s320/71Oqf36RmxL.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Books/Turning-Goals-Results-Harvard-Business-Review-Classics/1633692582" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>Title: Turning Goals Into Results: The Power of Catalytic Mechanisms</b><br />
<b>Author: Jim Collins</b><br />
<b>Publisher: Harvard Business School Publishing Corporation</b><br />
<br />
<br />
A book the size of a note-book, this book is part of the Harvard Business Review series where each volume contains a groundbreaking idea that has shaped best practices and inspired countless managers around the world.<br />
<br />
The catalytic mechanism is a codified term that Jim Collins named as 'the crucial link between objectives and performance... They make big, hairy, audacious goals reachable.' This term came out from his observation and study of a simple yet extremely powerful managerial tool that has helped organisations turn goals into results.<br />
<br />
One question that one could ask in the formulation of a 'catalytic mechanism' could be: <b>"What would it take to actually reach an ambitious goal?"</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
In this book, the author describes the various characteristics of a catalytic mechanism. He also illustrates examples of how catalytic mechanisms have been used to achieve big, hairy, audacious goals.<br />
<br />
In summary, a catalytic mechanism share five distinct characteristics. These are:<br />
<br />
1) Produces desired results in unpredictable ways<br />
<br />
2) Distributes power for the benefit of the overall system, often to the great discomfort of those who traditionally hold power.<br />
<br />
3) "Has teeth", it puts a process in place that all but guarantees that the vision of the organisation will be fulfilled.<br />
<br />
4) Ejects viruses, i.e. it helps organizations to get the right people in the first place, keep them, and eject those who do not share the company's core values.<br />
<br />
5) Produces an ongoing effect<br />
<br />
In this book, the author also provides a few general principles based on his research that supports the process of building catalytic mechanisms effectively. These are:<br />
- Don't just add, remove<br />
- Create, don't copy<br />
- Use money, but not only money<br />
- Allow your mechanisms to evolve<br />
- Build an integrated set<br />
<br />
This book is an accessible read to expand one's perspectives on what it would take to reach an ambitious goal with a long time frame. Check it out: <a href="https://hbr.org/product/turning-goals-into-results-the-power-of-catalytic-mechanisms-harvard-business-review-classics/10099E-KND-ENG">https://hbr.org/product/turning-goals-into-results-the-power-of-catalytic-mechanisms-harvard-business-review-classics/10099E-KND-ENG</a><br />
<br />
<br />oceanskies79http://www.blogger.com/profile/15637499843542653266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347632.post-76930074077095842972017-06-12T17:52:00.001+08:002018-11-11T20:07:12.113+08:00Read: Ayn Rand's The FountainheadTitle: The Fountainhead<br />
Author: <a href="https://www.aynrand.org/novels" target="_blank">Ayn Rand</a><br />
Publisher: Signet<br />
<br />
In this fiction book, the author, <a href="https://www.aynrand.org/novels" target="_blank">Ayn Rand</a>, explores and presents her vision of the following themes:<br />
1) Independence: Thinking for oneself, Judging for oneself, Making Decisions based solely on one's own thinking and judgement.<br />
<br />
2) Second-handers<br />
<br />
3) The morality of individualism<br />
<br />
4) Creativity<br />
<br />
5) Central purpose: In The Fountainhead, the protagonist, Howard Roark is motivated by the intellectual challenge of solving architectural problems and the artistic drive to create structures of beauty.<br />
<br />
It appears that the theme of independence, individualism, creativity and central purpose could be related to the concept of "integrity" which was stated in page 313 of this edition as "the ability to stand by an idea". The protagonist, Howard Roark, was a representation of the 'ideal man' and a person of integrity.<br />
<br />
I learnt that the author has eventually used the title to highlight that it is firsthand thinking of history's great creative minds that is the fountainhead of human progress. A book that urges me to think about what could the ideal man be and what it means to think independently for oneself.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/fountainhead/" target="_blank">SparkNotes Editors.(2002) SparkNote on The Fountainhead.</a> has put up summaries and analysis of The Fountainhead. These can be available here: <a href="http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/fountainhead/">http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/fountainhead/</a>oceanskies79http://www.blogger.com/profile/15637499843542653266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347632.post-9096304471244306672017-03-11T09:24:00.001+08:002017-03-11T09:24:05.224+08:00Read: Mycoskie's Start Something That MattersTitle: Start Something That Matters<br />
Author: Blake Mycoskie<br />
Publisher: The Random House Publishing Group.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrhM6uiqrghsQ_20Y1h44UH5Bc4ELyKRTtHPN5pTzfx4lzXXbAxQmuiyl24-KEBigZBQIv88gNsvL9qPZj6Q-gplwVovSOZ_ipRYssskMxMbQ17I4-yFe-dbH2uiDlK6KGb6X/s1600/P1150396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrhM6uiqrghsQ_20Y1h44UH5Bc4ELyKRTtHPN5pTzfx4lzXXbAxQmuiyl24-KEBigZBQIv88gNsvL9qPZj6Q-gplwVovSOZ_ipRYssskMxMbQ17I4-yFe-dbH2uiDlK6KGb6X/s320/P1150396.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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When I was at <a href="http://booktique.weebly.com/">Booktique</a> looking for a book as a gift to one of my friends, Anthony of Booktique gave me several recommendations. Out of which, Mycoskie's "Start Something That Matters" stood out as the perfect gift. Anthony of Booktique shared with me that this was the book that had inspired him very much. To find out more, visit Booktique and read about the story of how Booktique started out.<br />
<br />
Back to the book, after deciding to get the book for my friend, I felt I could get a copy too for myself. So I did.<br />
<br />
An accessible read. Blake Mycoskie has a great gift of communicating his ideas and life experiences in simple and clear fashion. I recommend this book to anyone who wishes to start something that matters, no matter how small or huge this 'something' could be.<br />
<br />
The book weaves in Blake Mycokie's TOMS story and I could not help but want to buy a pair of TOMS from my local store if I could find out soon enough.<br />
<br />
The book is weaved together by eight different chapters:<br />
1) The TOMS story<br />
2) Find your story<br />
3) Face your fears<br />
4) Be resourceful without resources<br />
5) Keep it simple<br />
6) Build trust<br />
7) Giving is good business<br />
8) The final step<br />
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While I was about to share which would be my favourite chapters, I realized that each chapter was a gift for me to deepen my understanding of how to start something that matters. I have enjoyed each chapter. A book to read and to keep.oceanskies79http://www.blogger.com/profile/15637499843542653266noreply@blogger.com0