A friend recently asked me a question. He was curious why suddenly I became so much into traveling and photography. Quite frankly, these are the things I like to do for a long time, only that I can afford to do it more often now. It is one of the reasons why I am so passionately promoting passive income streams.
I have just uploaded a video to YouTube on our recent visit to the Sleepy Bay in the Freycinet National Park of Tasmania. I video-taped it because it was so scenic. I had of course done some photos as well which I hope I would be sharing with you some other time.
The beauty of the Freycinet region on the East coast of Tasmania is a common knowledge for people traveling in this part of the world. However, when people come, they seem to set their eyes on places like the Wineglass Bay, Coles Bay, and perhaps even the Hazards Beach. The Sleepy Bay, somehow, has not received as much attention as it should rightly deserve. In my opinion, it is still a hidden gem.
So, please check out the video and perhaps you would tell me what you think about the scenery there.
This is arguably one of the big things happening in the internet world this year. Google Wave is Google’s new creation and will be officially released in a matter of months from now.
It is a real-time communication platform that virtually embraces all forms of internet communication today, whether it be email, web chat, instant messaging, social networking, or project management etc. It is a convergence spot. It is mind-blowing. I am sure a lot of the internet elites out there are already working on how to monetize this new medium.
I have done some research on the subject. In case you want to do something similar, a good starting point would be this video I have here for you. You wouldn’t like to miss out anything in this 1 hour 20 min presentation.
For those of you who like watching waterfalls, I have a great place to recommend: the Russell Falls in Tasmania. It is part of the Mount Field National Park and is located less than two hours northwest of Hobart, the capital city of Tasmania.
The video that you see here was taken last week when my wife and I were traveling in that part of the country. We drove around and in the last days of our holiday, we took a diversion to see the Falls on the way back from Queenstown to Hobart.
The day started with a moderate chill, an overcast weather, and an occasional drizzle. By the time we got to the National Park, it was around 4pm in the afternoon. We quickly found our way into the rainforest. It was a walk of about ten to fifteen minutes to the Falls. This rainforest is very special. It has very tall and BIG trees — something that we noticed almost immediately when we started the walk. The trunks of some of the big ones could easily require four or five people to cover the full circumference. The air was remarkably pure and fresh. At times, we could see wallabies moving about in a close distance. These gentle creatures didn’t seem to be bothered by our presence.
As we walked further, the sound of waterfalls was becoming louder. And, almost suddenly, the beautiful Russell Falls was right before our eyes! The Falls is beautiful because everything looks so symmetrical and in the right places. It has three levels allowing the water cascading down. With so much water thundering down the path that day, the sound, the wind, and the mist it so created in that space were remarkable. For a moment, we couldn’t help feeling small and at the mercy of nature.
There is a strong sense of serenity in the surround, but everything seemed more coming to life. Even the fern trees nearby were waving and dancing so happily. It was a blessing to be there sharing the serenity and the simple happiness of being so close to nature.
Live Life,
Junius.
P.S. If you happen to be in that National Park, don’t forget to visit two other falls as well. I was told that at least one of them is equally spectacular.
This week is Australia’s NSW Seniors Week. Now into its 50th year, it celebrates the valuable contribution seniors make to the community. The motto this year is “Live Life.” What a co-incidence.
I have taken a lazy approach this time to browse the net and collect quotes from wherever on the subject of “live life”. I hope it could add some extra spices into someone’s definition about life.
There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. – Albert Einstein.
To live life well is to take positive steps to maximize your chances of living an illness free life. – www.livelifewell.nsw.gov.au
Live life fully while you’re here. Experience everything. Take care of yourself and your friends. Have fun, be crazy, be weird. Go out and screw up! You’re going to anyway, so you might as well enjoy the process. Take the opportunity to learn from your mistakes: find the cause of your problem and eliminate it. Don’t try to be perfect; just be an excellent example of being human. – Anthony Robbins
Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life. – Buddha
Nobody gets to live life backward. Look ahead, that is where your future lies. – Ann Landers
Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. – Gandhiji
We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give. – Winston Churchill.
And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years. – Abraham Lincoln.
Since September last year, “global financial crisis” have become the operative words of our days. Hardly a day comes by without hearing something about these three words. Just two days ago, I come across the acronym version, “GFC”, from the television. Perhaps it could make us feel less threatened, or distressed by the sound of it.
Governments have not been slow in rendering rescue plans. The like of bailout or stimulus packages are all targeted to encourage consumption, retain jobs, and hopefully create enough fuel to keep the economies running above the recession line. Though some allocations might be debatable, their spirit is commendable.
If anything, I would like to see more in the area of restoring confidence, trust, and hope.
More than ever, it is time to revisit these traditional values that underlie a healthy business environment.
The global financial crisis is also a confidence crisis. It is a financial tsunami because it was fuelled by excessive borrowing, excessive leverage, complicated forms of derivatives, a gambling mentality, and an over-heated property market, among other things. Leverage is good, but excess leverage is disastrous. Risk management has been thrown out of the window. Just a few days ago, I learnt from a TV interview that some banks actually were able to lend sixty (60) times more than its money reserve. No wonder when the tides turned, it could hurt so badly.
Put confidence and trust back into the system
Confidence and trust are the cornerstones of any relationship, and business is no exception. When consumer confidence (and indeed, business confidence) and trust are at stake, surely the restoration of these elements should be placed amongst the highest priorities.
Everyday, there are no shortage of news and announcements telling everyone that the worse has yet to come. What if, someone can tell us that, despite the uncertainty, enough parameters have been set in place to stop all those “funny, irresponsible deals” at the far end? In other words, we are not allowing further damaging factors to the system. Would it be a comforting message to hear? Would it shed a light of hope that we badly need?
Needless to say, that someone would aptly be the government. Any such assurance or re-assurance is definitely welcoming. I bet it would be cost effective too.
Putting integrity in place
On the same token, if there is something that the government could do to expose or eliminate ponzi schemes, the like of Bernard Madoff’s and Allen Stanford’s, how far-reaching can it be to boost morale and confidence level of its communities?
Not talking down the economy
Whilst it is important to build confidence and trust and hope, it is equally important not to spread the seed of fear. It is a particular trying time for the media, let alone the government, to inform but not to over-exaggerate.
Reform the system, and cut out red-tapes
Bad times can also be good times in the sense that it offers a great opportunity to reflect and reshape for a better future. There is a lot of scope for a responsible, and proactive government.
Let transparency flow through the system
Transparency casts away doubt and helps building confidence and credibility.
Enhance collaboration across countries and governments
Global problem needs global solution. It is a time that collaboration among governments would be most needed. It is the synergy effect. If anything works, it would work better in a collaborated fashion.
Lead with vision
We like leaders with vision, more so in extreme times. We hope that our leaders would look beyond the financial hole and work together towards a new order of world peace, harmony, and prosperity.
A time to transform
Last but not the least, let’s not be too distressful, but be hopeful and thankful that we are part of an era of enlightenment, meeting new challenges, and overcoming obstacles, and coming out stronger and better overall.
