Random thoughts: Stoicism

 A post to record my thoughts after reading about Stoicism

Impression and Assents

I understand this as first and natural reaction to an external stimulus, and then the judgement we formed on the matter. It is said between Impression and assents, the gap is the space we can practice calmess, observation, so that we are not excessively sway by our reactions and form judgements that are detrimental to a virtue life, life of Courage, Wisdom, Temparement etc. 

As i practice mindfulness, I caught myself feeling negative energy and forming judgements, and I do think I manage better, but it seems I caught myself after judgement is already formed, and reflective about it.

I assume it is something like the "zone" i read about in sporting mindfulness. Never experinced it. 

Time

Productive time is not the same as being busy. Tend to be overly impatient to get as many things done as quickly as possible, While inevitable in come cases in modern life, some of it are self-inflicted anxiety.

The most precious time is now, with no clinging to the post or too much hope or fear of the future. Take every time as borrowed time, assuming we are already dead, and what you would like to do with borrowed time. 

Although it has reduced my frustration or anxiety when I frame my thoughts through such lens, as little as thou i reminded myself to do it, I doubt if it actually alters any decisions or actions. 

Suffering and preparing for the worst

Always assume and prepare for that 1 or 2 persons that will spoil your day, 1 or 2 things that might not go according to your wishes or plans, so that you are not so easily knocked off your feet. 

Love your fate, regardless. 

Apatheia

This is the part I find the 2 sides of the coin with Buddhism not clinging. Apatheia, being free from negative emotions, through self-understanding, practising the gap between impression and assents, self-understanding what is worthy of pursuit in terms of virtue, but buddhism 金刚经 pursuit or rather attain the state of "nothingness", nothing to cling to, the stubborness of the identity of self, that comes with the pride, greed of self. I find this concept hard to practise, but with Stoicism, is seems easy. Let go of the ego of self, in pursuit of justice, wisdom, and gratitude to people around us. 

Dichotomy of control 

Remind me of the one of the habit from the "7 habits of highly effective people", do what you can control, accept what you cannot control and make full use of your influence but do not bet on your influence. 

How we think or act is within our control, but that "control" depends on our "practice", just like any "ball control" in sports. For example, impression and assents, how long and how clear is the gap between stimulus and judgement, determines how much "control" you have over your emotions or "temperaments". How often you practice mindfulness with time, reflect your time and perhaps even instill discipline in diet and physical exercise, affect your control

Personal thoughts

I find stoicism and buddhism have many things in common, although the differences are significant too. 

随心笔：错

以前，很怕犯错。

然后，怕犯错的当儿，

老是看到别人的错。

后来自己的错越来越少，

不只别人错了，

制度错了，

教育错了。

现在，谁错了，也不重要了。

大家都有错。

错就错吧。

你说我错，

我如果不认同，

就尽量笑笑，

说对不起。

我如果也觉得自己错了，

就尽力改一改。

实在不需要争什么。

你看不顺眼，

只要不直接影响我，

现在我也懒得理。

说真的，制度，教育，社会，

对我这个窝囊废来说，

就算错了，关我屁事。

我也改变不来。

我照着我的价值观，

淡然活着。

或经不容许了，

也许就是离开的时候。

Thakral - Gem life deal finally coming?

I think the reason for the jump of Thakral over the last 2 days is due to this news

https://www.afr.com/street-talk/land-lease-giant-gemlife-eyes-700m-plus-ipo-at-2b-val-roadshow-on-20250521-p5m103

and the fact that Thakral acknowledge GEM life is indeed taking a step further to realizing this IPO. 

2 years ago, I blog about thakral, investing in it due to its 7.5% high yield and speculating that it might be taken private due to the big gap in Thakral capitalization and its Gem Life's stake value. 

https://sillyinvestor.blogspot.com/2022/12/thakral-gem-under-rubble.html

From the article above, GEM life IPO is valued at 2 billion, and hence Thakral stake should be worth around 600 mio, as a ball park figure.

After the big run up, Thakral capitalization is only 180 mio. Assume 50%  discount, there is still a big gap of 40%, AND YOU GET THE REST OF BUSINES FREE.

GEM life contribute only 50% of its profits.

Okies, now, finally, the sillly silly pathetic sillyinvestor, finally got a good real muti-bagger of almost 200%. No gimmacks of using lowest purchase price over average price, or paring down stake early. 

Random Thoughts: A conversation about investing with my son

Recently, I had an engaging conversation about investing with my Secondary 4 son. We were discussing the concept of self-learning, and I shared how I've learned about investing through books and online forums, without ever attending formal classes. This led him to ask an interesting question: Is investing in shares the same as gambling? Our discussion turned into a thoughtful exploration of the differences.

I explained that I've been investing for over 20 years, and while I’ve had my share of ups and downs, I’ve managed to achieve positive returns overall. When he asked when I started, I had to admit that my journey began in university, where I unfortunately lost most of my student savings during the CAO fiasco.

I also shared a candid reflection: despite my two decades of investing, the total gains from realized profits and dividends are likely less than my annual salary. I consider myself one of the worst investors, and I emphasized that it makes more sense to leverage one’s human capital and climb the corporate ladder. However, I also mentioned that I know people who have achieved financial independence through investing—some of whom I've met in person. Financial literacy plays a crucial role in their success.

I told my son that while I may not have made a fortune, the knowledge I've gained about investing is invaluable. Learning to navigate the emotions of "fear and greed" has been a liberating experience, and he found that perspective quite interesting.

Additionally, I've had the opportunity to meet many bloggers who are part of the investing community. They are fascinating individuals, each taking very different paths in life. Their diverse experiences and insights provide a broader understanding of the investing landscape.

In closing, I told my son that investing is not just about the money—it's about the journey, the lessons learned, and the people you meet along the way. As he continues to explore this topic, I hope he finds his own path, balancing the risks and rewards of investing with the wisdom gained from others.