John Grisham The Plumber

Do you know John Grisham? He’s the author who stole many hours of our lives as we immersed ourselves into the worlds he created with his pen. We know of his writings, but do we know how they came about? I chanced upon this article while I was preparing for a program. If your life has taken many interesting ups and downs, you may find this article soothing. Every wrong turn may turn out to be the right one.

Originally published in the New York Times on the 5th of September 2010, written by John Grisham:

The Calligrapher

Every one wants quick results. Yet sometimes when we don’t get the results we want, we grow disheartened and lose heart. Most of us simply pack our bags and look elsewhere. Yet is there another way? Maybe this story will help. Inspired by the book Mastery by George Leonard.

The Desire For What’s New, Shiny and Better Than Yours!

Recently the topic of Materialism, Happiness and who’s got a more expensive bag surfaced again, be it with friends or comments from friends. Louis Vuitton opened its first floating shop in Singapore too. I guess the bad economy didn’t dampen the spirit of More. So a story crept into my mind after lunch.

The New Yorker and The African Tribesman

My lecturer, Dr Ko Soo Meng, shared this story with us last night. He told this story to a man who believes that every one in the world sees only the negative side of him. His client is someone who has exceptionally bad interpersonal relations with almost every one around him. People just seem to always treat him badly. So Dr Ko told him the story:

When People Don’t Change

I met a friend over the week who wanted to “rescue” his maiden from her lifestyle of “bad habits” and in the process, not only did he get hurt, but the relationship between the two of them turned sour. His experience as well as my own inspired this story.

I Want I Want I Want and The Demise of Happiness

Genevieve walks like a princess, talks like a princess and behaves like a princess. She lives in a lavish mansion, complete with a gardener, a butler and even a barista. Pink, white and gold silk are her choice of fabric. Her father tells her that he is a gardener and grows beautiful flowers that make people happy, but she never believes him; Why would a gardener have fierce looking bodyguards? Her mother tells her that she is an accountant for she keeps father’s money in check by exchanging them for anything from handbags to cars. Genevieve has never believed her mother; Why would an accountant not know how to read?

Too Many Cooks Spoil The Soup

This story applies to every thing you do especially when it involves your loved ones. You do your best for them but you never understood why they have never appreciated your efforts. If you have experienced this in the past, this story is for you:

Last time, I told daddy that I wanted to learn how to play tennis. Daddy was delighted! He sent me to learn with a friend of his who teaches people how to hit those fuzzy green balls.

What Are You Going to Do With That?

This is a repost of an article from The Chronicle. All credit goes to the author, William Deresiewicz. You can read the original article here. It is lengthy but it is definitely worth the read. Enjoy!

This was based on a talk delivered to a freshman class delivered in Stanford.

The essay below is adapted from a talk delivered to a freshman class at Stanford University in May.

The question my title poses, of course, is the one that is classically aimed at humanities majors. What practical value could there possibly be in studying literature or art or philosophy? So you must be wondering why I’m bothering to raise it here, at Stanford, this renowned citadel of science and technology. What doubt can there be that the world will offer you many opportunities to use your degree?

Who Are You? Don’t Let Your Identity Get In Your Way To Happiness

Your Identity Defines Your Destiny

There was a man who spent time in custody of the French Police for many years, all because he stole a lof of bread to feed his starving family. He was sentenced to many years of hard labour and labeled a criminal. He never accepted this label. However, once released, he discovers that he can’t get an honest day’s work. He is scorned and rejected because of his status as an ex-convict. His name is Valjean.

I Smile Because I Want To See You Smile!

I Smile So You Smile!

A smile can brighten your day; A smile can make problems go away; A smile is the easiest way to look better; Your smile can make YOU feel better any day.