Let's do our little parts....

I'm not gonna focus this entry talking about financial planning . Let's focus on something more macro... outside of our lives.

There are times in life when you're so caught up in your working life, the resolutions you set out for the new year are not followed through and you can't even find time to focus on yourself. Even if you have the time, the energy left in you is completely sucked out by work (or your boss), and you rather catch your 200 winks (40 x 5days) over the weekend.

In the midst of our chasing for time, sales & dreams, we become oblivious to happenings around the world and caring for our planet seemed too big a burden & we feel too small to do anything about it. I must thank a good friend of mine who introduced me to this documentary film called "An Inconvenient Truth". It woke me up from my world of ignorance.

It's a necessary documentary that we should watch. It's impactful & it's a reminder to all of us that we are responsible for our earth's health. We are already experiencing the consequence of our actions - global warming, sadly it's an inconvenient truth. If we continue to take our earth's resouces for granted & only care about economy's growth and keep up with our pollution, we might experience ice age in our very lifetime.

We can do our little parts for our environment. For a start, create the awareness in people around us, we could contribute little by little along the way to use less plastic bags, recycle used materials, buy green cars if it's a necessity to drive, use less water & electricity etc... and pray that it's not too late to savage our planet.

I know this entry is not going to make you feel me. Go get hold of the documentary film, and watch it with an open mind. Whether or not you're convinced or wanna give a damn about it, it's up to you. Nonetheless, I hope this film will somehow change your perspective about life.

PS: You can read more about this documentary at http://www.climatecrisis.net & get hold of the DVD from amazon.com

Where Is Home?

Last night, Jo mentioned she wants to move out of the house to stay in a rented apartment with 3 other friends at Tiong Bahru. Of course, my mom could not comprehend why my sis would even think of that and disapproved it. Was it unbearable for her to stay in this house we've been living in for like 15 years? Perhaps she needed her own space as she was so used to it when she stayed in the hostel during her uni days.

I can relate to her feelings as I've studied in Melb for 5 years. When I was there, I longed to be back in Singapore, back in my home where I can spend time with my folks. But once I'm back, at times I wished I was back in Melb as I rather do my own household chores at my own timing and have my own private space.

She & I shared a room. She was complaining about not having her own space recently, so I tried staying over at my bf's house more often than usual so she could have the room to herself...to do her thing. Thing is, I'm getting married this August, so I thought she'll be happy that she's gonna have the whole room to herself. But I guess that wasn't enough. Exactly what's on her mind? I no longer understand her and we are drifting apart.

Although I can relate to her feelings to a certain extent, I see no practical reasons why she wants to move out. It's gonna increase her expenses, the area they're looking at renting is costly, she's a spender, not a saver...money for rental can be put to better use and last but not least, who will be there for our parents?

Sean will be going to NS next year and our parents will be left alone in the house. Of course, I'll visit them and go home for dinner whenever I can but why can't my sis spare a thought for them? Is it that difficult to stay with your family and spend some time at home with them? It's not like they are going to be around for us forever...

Rivers do not drink their own water. Trees do not eat their own fruit. Clouds do not swallow their own rain. What great ones have is always for the benefit of others. - Hindu Proverb

Jo, if you ever read this, don't forget about your family, how we've been there for you and will always be there for you. I hope you'll do the same.

Ask & you'll be given...

Pride was getting in the way in my business of selling umbrellas. No, not "umbrellas umbrellas"... the financial umbrellas that is. Life insurance to be exact... never in my past life have I thought of becoming a financial adviser....a salesperson.... a professional as I now strive to be.

Perhaps the people who do not understand why I chose this path is my immediate family. It's frustrating...without the lack of understanding & support from them at times but as long as I try hard and do an honest's day work as an abled person should be working, I'm sure one day they'll understand.

Thanks to my good friends, they have been very supportive and I'm very grateful to be able to be there for them more than just emotionally, but also financially if ever the need arise someday.

I've learned to offer my services more upfront after going through one experience lately that woke me up from my "afraid of asking" & to be proud of what I'm doing...afterall, it's for the benefit of the living.

The experience i'm referring to was my friend, DT, who has a new born nephew who is extremely adorable, just 2 months old. One fine day, he was running a fever and was admitted to the hospital & the doc suspected his bile duct was not working & might need a liver by-pass. For a little baby boy to go through such an operation is very risky and it was very distress for the whole family especially DT's sis & bro-in-law.

During this period of time, we prayed to God & hope the baby boy, Caleb, will be fine. Our prayers were answered & it was a relief when the crucial test results showed that he need not go through the operation and his bile duct was functioning. Caleb is blessed, he now undergoes medication/treatment and is on the road to recovery.

During this period of time, I kept asking myself why didn't I asked Caleb's mom & dad if they wanna look into protection coverage for Caleb and themselves when I met them a month ago. Don't get me wrong, it's not for the parents to be financially compensated if something happens to their precious child, but it's for the future of this kid.

Parents should cover themselves even more when they first have a kid. Why? For the simple reason that the child is dependent on his/her parents for survival. As for coverage for kids, coverage is the cheapest when they are young and healthy. There are kids who are not able to get coverage because they are diagnosed with autism when they got older.

So, if you know of anyone who has a new born or do not have any coverage whatsoever, please, ask them to look into it. Nobody needs to believe in life insurance to buy life insurance. If life insurance was free, would you get one?