Should’ves / Shouldn’t’ves.
May these words, “I should have” and “I shouldn’t have”, never haunt our minds as we take our last breaths on Earth.
Life is an interesting journey, littered with Ups and Downs. May Yours be a long, fruitful and uncomplicated journey.
At the beginning of your formative journey, it’s vast and full of possibilities. Which school/college to select (actually they choose you), which major to choose, which job to take, which company to work for etc. etc.
The Astute Ones will start to narrow (chisel) those possibilities down as soon as possible.
I share Charlie Munger’s wise candid advice for us – “Avoid debts, drama and stupid people”.
Mine’s equally candid, “Avoid stepping on shit”. There are two kinds of people – those that are forthcoming (giving) and those that are withholding (taking). Choose the first half and (roughly) half of your Life will be less complicated.
I tell my kids to always lift downtrodden people’s spirits up, but when the downtrodden people consistently choose to pull you down to their level, instead of rising up to yours, go help other deserving people.
I have two polite words to describe difficult and pungent people – “high maintenance” and “acquired taste”. Enuff said, simply put, no need for further elaboration. Just leave the room.
As for me, my big Life question was – should I retyre at 44 years young and pursue my rock photography, am I world-class, will I be renown in my chosen field of photography? I took the leap of faith, now I die with a big smile on my face on my deathbed (with my loved ones around me), knowing and living the answer to that existential question.
When my friends ask me how’s things are going, I honestly and gladly reply, “I am a deeply contented man!”.
My Paul Anka “My Way” All Access Concert Pass (above image). Complete with Anka’s hand-written lyrics to “My Way”.
Fun fact about the song, “My Way”. Although popularised by Frank Sinatra, the song is NOT written by him.
The song began music life as a French song with a different title, “Comme D’Habitude” – meaning “As Usual” in English – composed by Jacques Revaux. It was performed in 1967 by Claude Francois.
Astute Paul Anka purchased the song rights and wrote the English lyrics. Frank Sinatra made it his own life anthem. And the rest is hi$tory, especially for Paul Anka.
I share the poignant second verse lyrics of “My Way” below.
“Regrets, I’ve had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do (< I simply love this)
And saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course
Each careful step along the way
And more, much more than this
I did it my way”.
Heck, let me also share with you the equally poignant first verse of “My Way”.
“And now the end is near
And so, I face the final curtain
My friend, I’ll say it clear
I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain
I’ve lived a life that’s full
I travelled each and every highway
And more, much than this
I did it my way”.
As in the song, I am so glad that “I did what I had to do“.
My Guitar Slinger with Samurai sword and battered Umbrella Toy Figure (above image).
A Reminder to me – you may be a kick-ass Rock Star Guitarist and bad-ass Samurai, but it’s those nasty UV solar rays that will kill you in the end. Use your UV-proof umbrella. Hahaha.
My Personalised Coca Cola Cans (above image). In 2025, Coca Cola came up with fun cans with local catch phrases. “Kiasu” means “scared to lose”. “Lao Ban” means “Boss”. To me, Kiasu is good, it keeps you on your toes. Why lose when you are destined to win?
I noticed my Banana Splits Fleegle toy figure next to the Coca Cola cans. Banana Splits was my childhood favourite TV show and Fleegle is my favourite cute and bouncy Banana Splits character. Happy Happy!
As I live my life, I noticed one pattern – if I procrastinate, good opportunities will quickly disappear when I hesitate. My hesitation threshold? Five seconds max. Seriously. After giving my opportunity(s) a quick scrutiny, if it checks all five boxes, I pounce.
I share with you, loyal readers, some fun adages below. I start with my favourite.
“The grass is always greener on the side that is fertilised by bullshit.”
“It’s good to have people in your life you don’t want to disappoint.” – Warren Buffett
“Colour describes, black and white interprets.” – Elliott Erwitt
“You want to be ready when God walks in the room.”
“Protect the Child in you.” – E.S.
“Act like you belong, until you do belong.”
“It’s classier to leave before you are asked to.” – Carol Burnett
“Life is a mirror and it will reflect back to the thinker what he/she thinks into it.”
“Sometimes you have to kiss some asses for the privilege to kick some asses.”
“Stocks pay a fortune in the long run but seek punitive damages when you demand to be paid sooner.”
“The greatest impediment to creativity is impatience.” – Robert Greene
“Algebra’s like sheet music. The important thing isn’t “Can you read music?” It’s “Can you hear it?” – Robert Oppenheimer
“Invest in preparedness, not prediction.” – Nassim Taleb
“1+1=3” – that’s Leverage.
“The first rule of happiness is low expectation.” – Morgan Housel
“Take the high road because there’s little traffic there.”
I end with this.
The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts.” – C.S. Lewis
