Meaningful Living

Heard this topic over the radio.   Found it very interesting.   Here are some of what I heard and some of my own examples.   Can you tell which are minds games and which are not? (Suggested to read my previous post on Mind Games before you read this post) Things said that can give us a heart attack (not literally): Police to woman : “Mam, is your husband at home?” Friend to you : “Where’s your wallet?” Friend to you : ”There’s something on your back.” Colleague to you : “Boss said to see him first thing you come in.” Boss to you : “I need the report noooooooooow.” Teacher to students : “Let’s have a surprise test now.” Salesman to you : “Sorry, sir, you have not paid for the shirt.” Man on the phone: “Good morning, sir.   You have won $100,000 in a competition.” Husband to Wife : “I went to the hospital today.” Woman to husband : “Honey, do you know what day is today?” Woman to husband in the mall : “Where’s Johnny???!!” Woman to husband :...

There is a book titled Games People Play (by Eric Berne) that I am reading.   The book is very detailed in the types of psychological games people use to gain advantages over others.   But here, I will collectively call them Mind Games. Basically, a mind game consists of actions that benefit the game starter.  Benefits like making the victim feel uncomfortable; sowing discord between two people or groups of people; gaining advantage over the victim. When we get disturbed after someone said something, a mind game has probably been played.  A true friend who has good EQ will not say it in a way to make us feel disturbed. It is crucial that we are able to identify the various mind games played every day in our life, understand the games, the least is not to get trapped. Move out of them, and better still, turn them into our advantage, if we can or if we want to. When we feel disturbed by what someone said, maintain our composure, analyse the reason behind...

No matter how good our idea is, if our boss suggests the same or similar idea before we do, our good idea becomes zero.  There is no point saying "Oh, actually I have that in mind too.", because our boss will think that we are not being honest.  However, if we have evidence of the idea in progress, show our boss immediately to substantiate our claim.  Then it will be a different story. Many Asians are reserved and/or protective of their idea; they will not reveal it before the big moment.  I advise, if any of us have something big coming, inform our boss the earliest possible/suitable, so that he/she is aware.  The boss may give a better direction, or provide suggestions for modifications which we have not thought of. The advantages are there.  Just do not go to the boss yet if our idea is not well thought through, or it may back fire. On the similar point, an example of a common conversation: A : Hey B, I thought you said to meet me for lunch this afternoo...

Another example of doing what we love.  SL liked flying since young, probably after watching the movie Top Gun.  He also told me he liked being a fireman.  He flew with the SAF after graduating, and is now converting over to a commercial pilot.   So, again, are you doing what you like?  Do you know your passion? Thank you, SL, for allowing me to use this pic.