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.

Random thoughts: Sickness...

I was hospitalised for a week. I am out of hospital now but several of my blood markers are still off.

This is a post to really vent and crystallized my thoughts.

I like to state what I am thankful for.

Obviously, it was a rather uncomfortable experience, both physically and mentally. Mentally, because I find myself second guessing the doctors. There were no trust and I worried about the hefty bill, and if insurance would reject it ( it was approved, today). Even now, a week after I discharged, I still dun feel too well, and is contemplating seeking a second opinion. 

So the first blessing is, if I am ever sick, I knew where I want to be cared for. 

Second, I grew closer to my wife and understand her better, sickness made me a more humble and patient person, I guess. I became less judgemental and bad tempered. I see things through her lens and saw her pains beyond just mine. 

Third, because I cannot really play video games (makes me dizzy) or spend too much time watching TV. I end up planning for lessons and reading.

The slow tempo, really allow me to consolidate all my teaching ideas and theories together, and I think it is a framework that will help improve my teaching. (I hope) 

The books are really special, and I really like to introduce you a book, "with the end in mind". I had borrowed the book before I was sick and hospitalised. It is about palliative care and death. Having being an assistant caregiver for both my parents in their last journey ,have left a deep impact on me.  I feel quite distressed about the idea of losing strength and waiting for death.

When I was feeling my worst in the hospital, I felt like an prisoner in my body. I couldn't lie down, (feel like vomiting) could not even stay in mediating posture, because of the headache that I describe as 9 on the pain scale. Closing your eyes doesn't reduce the pain, and any slight movement of your body send off a wave of pai. I feel like sun Wu kong, I feel my head tightened by a ring. 

So when I was discharged, I sob uncontrollably after reading the first chapter of the book. Luckily, my wife was not in my room. I did share the story with her later, and she cried too, recalling the last days with her grandma.

The next day, I sob again, after reading the second chapter. I thought I was being emotional as a "patient" 

Sure enough, the next few chapters didn't brought any tears, as I get stronger, although still uncomfortable.

Just today, I read about the story of a head teacher, and his dying days. Maybe because I am also a teacher and gets the " teachers only fall sick during the holiday" phenomenon a lot, that main character in the book, "Eric" actually contacted MND when he retired. I was sighing as I read, but when the chapter finished, I was sobbing again.

I am not someone easily moved to tears, at least not by TV shows and  movies. In fact, I sometimes tease my family when they cried and said I have already predict how the ending would be. 

I never had a book that made me cry 3 times and I am less than half through the book.

I am really blessed to have this book. There is another book "ninja selling", that is also very stimulating to the mind, I just change the word "customer or prospector" into student, and it sent off a lot of good ideas. Is one book that send positive vibes and not those forced selling books.

I also keep thinking of my pupils when I am sick. And a girl, whose parents divorced and keep quarreling during PTM came to my mind. The girl is one of the kindest in class, always willing to help others. After that mid year PTM, I ask if her parents are on good terms, and she said they always quarrel and is divorcing. When I last checked in, she told me they have separated and she said it is better for everyone. Such maturity for a P4, and she always have a smile for me, and everyone. She is someone who always see the silver lining even in a storm. 

As I recovered, or seek recovery, I will continue to remind myself to be grateful of what I have. It might sound very ridiculous, but when I am in hospital, I seem to have many nightmares, but also, I seem to have a voice telling me why are things happening in this way. A voice telling me that I have not gotten a true understanding of being thankful, and a voice telling me greed is the natural opposite of gratitude. 

Is simple things everyone know, this sickness, makes me understand it a little better. Greed, is the natural poison to our heath. Just like today, I think I eat too "heartily" for my own health. Sigh... 

I hope I continue to be a better person, regardless of my sickness

随心笔：病后，对人性的点滴参透

病了，住了七天医院。

原来

1） 有钱就是 “爷”, 有 “保” 也是爷。

2） 大爷别高兴，你也是肥羊。

3）狼和羊不知道要怎么建立信任。

4） 在没有利用价值期间，你的存在没有人在意，除了你最亲的人。

5）最亲的圈子中，老婆说的话要第一考虑，第一个讨论，一起作出决定。

6）看这里的资深护士和人沟通，看得出他们在沟通上情绪管理的维度。

7）医德，和我心里想的不一样。

Random thoughts: Air Drying of car

I left the car washing bay after I vacuum my car.

The driver in waiting was quite surprised, and ask me:" you not wiping your car dry?"

I replied:" I am a lazy person, I saw someone did that before, and I tried it, I realise the car does not have any water stain mark even if I dun wipe it dry with a cloth, thereafter, I never wipe my car dry anymore."

The driver replied, "oh air-drying, only works with clean water."

Air dry, what a cool name for something free.