To realize the value of a brother, Ask someone who has recently lost one.

To realize the value of a lifetime, Ask someone who has been given life sentence and sees his life years passing him by.

To realize the value of ten years, Ask a newly divorced couple.

To realize the value of four years, Ask a graduate.

To realize the value of one year, Ask a student who has failed a final exam.

To realize the value of nine months, Ask a mother who just gave birth to a baby.

To realize the value of one month, Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.

To realize the value of one week, Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize the value of one hour, Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.

To realize the value of one minute, Ask a person who has missed the train, bus or plane.

To realize the value of one second, Ask a person who has survived an accident.

To realize the value of one millisecond, Ask the person who has won a silver medal in the Olympics.

What is the value of YOUR time?

You are the only person who can make it count…

“People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered.
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you may win some false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people will likely cheat you.
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone may destroy overnight.
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.

Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it was always between you and God.
It was never between you and them, anyway.”

- Mother Theresa

She has mentioned some good points here about us always doing what we think is Right, no matter what others may do or think.

This is a fact in this world that it is NOT always fair. Not always the good wins and not always the innocent wins the war.

But should it keep us from doing what we believe is Right?

When doing something good, sometime we may get a reward from that person and sometimes not. But what else can be higher reward when you have your inner satisfaction, your sense of pride for yourself with you all the time?

Even if you are not much religious, as I am not either, you still can enjoy the happiness you get every time you find yourself doing something great. Something that proves once more you have such a BIG, kind heart.

No matter if the person appreciates it or not, what you does will go to grow your heart and should… And this is the most precious thing.

Let’s try our best and live to our fullest. People may or may not notice all of it. But let’s do it anyway!
- Ladan

You can do it for your own heart, and it will be the best reward.

Let’s Wow!

So fall has started and the weather is getting cooler and cooler. So how are you enjoying the new weather after the hot summer?

Gratefully, I am not in Malaysia at this time of the year so I can fully enjoy the nice, cool weather. Because as you may know, Malaysia has a tropical climate which means always hot and humid throughout the year.

Imagine a country like Florida in summer all year long.

Well, it is the dream weather for many people. Always sun, you can go out for picnics or get a sunbath at the beach, never frizzing cold, no snow to wipe away from the streets, etc.

But personally I prefer a 4-season climate. It’s more fun and you get to see and enjoy the best from all seasons.

So now that I’m on a vacation in my hometown, I can enjoy the cool fall weather to the maxmimum.

So how are YOU enjoying your new season?

You know how we think we are all living on the same planet…

Somehow, it’s NOT true.

We have 195 countries and each of them has their own sets of cultures, values, and what is normally considered good or bad.

Let’s take this test and see how similar we really are together…

In one country, if you say you want to get rich and become a millionaire, people around you will say you are ambitious and respect your spirit…

While in another country it may sound too greedy and everyone encourages you to go after being simple and not wanting much.

In one country, arranged marriages may be the accepted way to go to find your loved one and create a family.. while somewhere else people think it’s funny and was the way to go 500 years ago. They believe dating and relationships should help you find your partner.

In one place if you carry a bomb and do suicide bombing, you are considered a hero and a saint… somewhere else everyone thinks it’s the most stupid thing to do.

Some place the perfect image of a woman is the one who can find a husband before reaching 30 and then stays at home, cooks food for the family, and takes care of the babies.

Working outside? Being independant? Don’t even think about it.

Somewhere else you are the perfect woman if you stand on your own feet, work for your own and follow your dreams bravely in life, and take the lead of your ship - not relying it all on your man.

Pretty amazing this difference is, isn’t it?

Did I hear anyone mention we are NOT living on the same world?

I’ve been to quite a number of various countries and have discovered about many cultures through my  friends and business partners in various places all around the world.

And as I get to know more about each country, I keep getting more and more amazed how we human beings have our own way of creating totally different values and belief systems.

Something that may be considered the #1 wisest, most encouraged thing to do in one place… might be thought as the #1 worst, most stupid, most avoided thing to do somewhere else.

Don’t you think it’s amazing?

It is so much fun when you learn about various cultures and like an eagle from high in the sky, you watch and compare them.

It’s even double fun when we don’t try to judge people from us in an instant or labeling them. Just trying to understand their lifestyle and watch it like a fun movie.

That’s why traveling and making international friends is really amazing and opens up our mind to a world of opportunities like nothing before.

So I don’t judge people based on my priorities and likes anymore…

“I have my way, you have your way. We may both be doing the Best in our own unique way.”

So what about YOU?

Which countries and cultures have you found out about? What amazing differences did you notice?

So whichever part of the world you are from, my greetings and regards to you and…

Thank you, Merci, Danke, Gracias, Arigato, Xie Xie, Terima kasih, Shokran, and Mamnoon…

… for dropping by.

All the best to you!

Ladan