Showing posts with label food for thought. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food for thought. Show all posts

Friday, April 19, 2024

To the love of my life, lets dance.

 In the poetry of life, the dance unfolds,

A burning violin, a tale to be told.

Dance me to your beauty, an enchanting embrace,

In the rhythm of kindness, a harmonious grace.

 

Through the panic of life, let kindness guide,

A dance that soothes, like a tranquil tide.

Gather me safely in your compassionate arms,

In the dance of empathy, where kindness warms.

 

Lift me as an olive branch, a symbol of peace,

In the dance of benevolence, worries cease.

Be my homeward dove, soaring above,

In the dance of generosity, boundless love.

 

To the end of love, let the dance extend,

A timeless waltz, a bond that won't bend.

In the ballroom of life, with stars above,

Witness the dance of kindness, a dance of love.

 

The burning violin plays a melody sweet,

In the dance of compassion, two hearts beat.

As kindness leads, in steps so light,

Dancing to the end of love, through the night.

 

So, let the dance continue, an eternal spin,

In the poetry of kindness, where spirits begin.

Dance me through the chapters, hand in glove,

A dance of kindness, a dance of endless love.

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

The symphony of life

In the symphony of life, a catalogue of 'afters' unfolds,

A melody of moments, precious and untold.

Navigating the score, with choices to make,

Wisdom realized, not to let moments forsake.

 

The coffee grows cold, a subtle metaphor,

For time slipping away, knocking on the door.

Priorities dance, a shifting ballet,

In the rhythm of life, they constantly sway.

 

Promises, like notes, can be easily lost,

In the hustle and bustle, the price is the cost.

The symphony plays on, a relentless stream,

Yet, the echoes of broken vows haunt our dreams.

 

Children grow, like the crescendo's rise,

A harmonious journey, a profound surprise.

Parents age, their notes slowly wane,

Yet, their wisdom lingers as an eternal refrain.

 

Life's rhythm doesn't pause for our delays,

It marches forward in mysterious ways.

As we dance to the beat, of the grand parade,

Each step we take leaves a mark, a cascade.

 

The symphony concludes, the final chord,

A poignant moment, the truth underscored.

In the silence that follows, reflections arise,

As we embrace the rhythm, where no echo lies.

 

So, let us conduct with purpose and grace,

Embrace each note, in this fleeting space.

For in the catalogue of 'afters,' we find,

The melody of life is profound and intertwined.

Sunday, March 31, 2024

Back to the 60s

Many of us remember the 1960s but when we do we put our own lens on the era. For some, the 1960s was the era of peace and love filled with tremendous unrest and upheaval of the status quo. The civil rights movement new-wave feminism to a burgeoning counterculture movement gave rise to a conservative movement, Others upset by all of the unrest started quietly in the 60s to move toward a more conservative world view. This movement gained strength during the rise of Barry Goldwater and the eventual election of Richard Nixon, cumulating with the election of Regan in the US and Thatcher in England.

As is befitting for such a significant period, the speeches, songs, and rallying cries of the time proved to be particularly powerful and distressing. The 60s were a transformative era with a multitude of voices reflecting the diverse perspectives of the time. Here are fifteen quotes that capture the essence of the progressive movement, the conservative movement, and the unrest of the period:

Progressive Movement:

  1. "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character." - Martin Luther King Jr., 1963
  2. "Make love, not war." - Unknown origin, popularized during anti-Vietnam War protests
  3. "The personal is political." - Carol Hanisch, feminist slogan
  4. "Question authority." - Popular counterculture slogan
  5. "Free your mind, and the rest will follow." - En Vogue, "Free Your Mind" lyrics, 1992 (reflecting ongoing sentiments)

Conservative Movement:

  1. Extremism in defence of liberty is no vice...moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue." - Barry Goldwater, 1964
  2. "We believe that the Constitution of the United States is the greatest single document ever penned by the hand of man." - Barry Goldwater, 1964
  3. "I am not a consensus candidate of the left or of the right. I am a man of the moderate middle." - Richard Nixon, 1968
  4. "We shall overcome when we can say to every man or woman who is a Negro, in a spirit of brotherhood, 'You are free.'" - Richard Nixon, 1968
  5. "Our great modern Republic. May those who seek the blessings of its institutions and the protection of its flag remember the obligations they impose." - Lyndon B. Johnson, 1965

Unrest of the Period:

  1. "Hell no, we won't go!" - Vietnam War protest chant
  2. "Come mothers and fathers throughout the land  And don't criticize what you can't understand, Your sons and your daughters are beyond your command." - Bob Dylan, lyrics from the song "The Times They Are A-Changin'," 1964
  3. "Power to the people." - Black Panther Party slogan
  4. “We are the Unwilling, Doing the Impossible, For the Ungrateful.” James L Kinsey, Unwilling Warriors: Surviving the Vietnam War
  5. "The whole world is watching!" - Chant during the 1968 Democratic National Convention protests in Chicago

These quotes reflect the dynamic and often conflicting ideologies that shaped the 1960s and continued to influence subsequent decades. Many of these quotes still ring true today as our children and grandchildren continue to face some of the same struggles, we went through during the 60s. For many of us who were and still are progressive, it is hard to stay true to our ideals. Minority groups are still fighting for equal rights, war still ravages much of the world, and the arts continue to thrash against the sterility of corporate culture, and I could go on, but I won’t. In summary, these quotes act as navigational guides to remind us how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go.

Saturday, March 9, 2024

Ted Lassos and Leadership

I have watched the TV series Ted Lasso and was intrigued when I came across a list of 13 Leadership lessons from the series. I thought about it and thought some more and then added to and fine-tuned the list. So, here is my expanded list of leadership qualities inspired by Ted Lasso's TV series:

  1. Be Sincere: Authenticity and sincerity build trust and foster genuine connections with others.
  2. Stay Teachable: A willingness to learn and adapt keeps leaders open-minded, innovative, and continuously improving.
  3. See Good in Others: Recognizing and highlighting the strengths and positive qualities of team members fosters a positive and collaborative work environment.
  4. Happiness is a Choice: Encouraging a positive mindset and promoting a joyful atmosphere can enhance team morale and productivity.
  5. Winning is an Attitude: Cultivating a winning mentality involves instilling confidence, determination, and a focus on achieving goals.
  6. Have Confidence in Yourself: Self-assurance inspires confidence in others, fostering a sense of security and stability within the team.
  7. Optimists Take More Chances: Encouraging optimism promotes risk-taking and innovation, key elements of growth and success.
  8. Everyone Differs from Everyone Else: Embracing diversity and recognizing the unique strengths of individuals contributes to a well-rounded and dynamic team.
  9. Courage is the Willingness to Attempt: Taking bold and calculated risks, even in the face of uncertainty, can lead to significant breakthroughs and accomplishments.
  10. Vulnerability is a Strength, Not a Weakness: Being open about one's vulnerabilities creates a culture of transparency, trust, and emotional intelligence within the team.
  11. Doing the Right Thing is Never the Wrong Thing: Upholding ethical standards and making decisions based on integrity contributes to a culture of trust and accountability.
  12. Be Curious, Not Judgmental: Encouraging curiosity fosters a culture of continuous learning and prevents snap judgments, promoting a more inclusive and understanding environment.
  13. Be a Goldfish: Learn from mistakes, but don't let them define you. Move forward with resilience, adapting quickly and maintaining a positive outlook.
  14. Empathy in Action: Understanding and connecting with others on an emotional level fosters a supportive and compassionate work environment.
  15. Effective Communication: Clear and concise communication ensures that everyone is on the same page and reduces the likelihood of misunderstandings.
  16. Adaptability: Being flexible and adaptable to change allows leaders to navigate challenges and lead their teams through uncertain times.
  17. Empower Others: Delegating responsibilities and empowering team members fosters a sense of ownership and autonomy.
  18. Resilience: Demonstrating resilience in the face of setbacks sets a positive example for the team and encourages perseverance.
  19. Inspire Collaboration: Cultivating a collaborative culture encourages teamwork, creativity, and the sharing of diverse perspectives.
  20. Lead by Example: Modeling the values and behaviours expected from the team sets the standard for excellence and accountability.

Thursday, March 7, 2024

25 life lessons

 1. Don’t lend money to your family. Give it.

2. Never shake a hand while sitting down.

3. Stop telling people more than they need to know.

4. Never eat the last piece of something you didn't buy.

5. Don't throw your friend under the bus to impress someone.

6. Never insult the cooking when you are the guest.

7. Don't use the urinal next to an occupied one.

8. Don't take out your phone during a conversation.

9. Never take credit for work you didn't do.

10. Listen, nod, and most of all make eye contact.

11. Don't make fun of your friend in front of his kids.

12. Never let emotions overpower you.

13. Never beg for a relationship.

14. Dress well no matter what the occasion.

15. Never kick a man when he is already down.

16. Treat others with kindness, even when they don't reciprocate.

17. Don't hold grudges; forgiveness is liberating.

18. Learn to say "no" when necessary, without feeling guilty.

19. Don't judge people by their appearances; everyone has their own story.

20. Be punctual and respect other people's time.

21. Take care of your physical and mental health; they're your most valuable assets.

22. Keep learning and expanding your knowledge throughout life.

23. Be a good listener and practice empathy in your conversations.

24. Choose your battles wisely; not every disagreement is worth the energy.

25. Surround yourself with positive, supportive, and inspiring people.

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Where does your country rank in the global pension index?

Mercer and CFA Institute have released the 15th annual Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index (MCGPI). The Netherlands’ retirement income system has regained the top spot on the list, with Iceland and Denmark taking second and third places respectively. How does your country rank? Canada has a B, Australia has a B+ and the United States has a C+

The Netherlands had the highest overall index value (85.0), closely followed by Iceland (83.5) and Denmark (81.3). Argentina had the lowest index value (42.3). Although the Netherlands is currently undertaking significant pension reform, the system is well-positioned to provide excellent benefits amid the move from a collective benefit structure to a more individual-defined contribution approach.

The Index uses the weighted average of the sub-indices of adequacy, sustainability, and integrity. For each sub-index, the systems with the highest values were Portugal for adequacy (86.7), Iceland for sustainability (83.8), and Finland for integrity (90.9). The systems with the lowest values across the sub-indices were South Korea for adequacy (39.0), Austria for sustainability (22.6), and the Philippines for integrity (25.7).

 

Falling birth rates have placed pressure on several economies and pension systems over the longer term, negatively affecting the sustainability scores for countries like Italy and Spain. Several Asian systems, however, including mainland China, Korea, Singapore, and Japan, have undertaken reform to improve their scores in the last five years.

I have included only those countries with a grade of C or better.

2023 Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index

MCGPI benchmark table for retirement income systems around the world. This year's table compares 47 retirement income systems across the globe and covers 64 percent of the world’s population. The Netherlands’ retirement income system has regained the top spot on the list, with Iceland and Denmark taking second and third places respectively.

 

System

Overall Grade

Total

Adequacy

Sustainability

Integrity

Netherlands

A

85.0

85.6

82.4

87.7

Iceland

A

83.5

85.5

83.8

80.0

Denmark

A

81.3

82.5

82.5

77.8

Israel

A

80.8

77.0

82.7

84.4

Australia

B+

77.3

70.7

78.4

86.1

Finland

B+

76.6

77.4

65.6

90.9

Singapore

B+

76.3

79.8

71.6

77.0

Norway

B

74.4

79.4

59.1

87.8

Sweden

B

74.0

72.1

75.6

75.0

UK

B

73.0

77.3

62.7

80.6

Switzerland

B

72.0

69.6

70.6

77.9

Canada

B

70.2

71.1

64.5

76.7

Ireland

B

70.2

77.1

54.4

81.1

Chile

B

69.9

60.0

71.3

84.0

Uruguay

B

68.9

84.0

46.2

76.5

Belgium

B

68.6

82.0

39.4

88.2

New Zealand

B

68.3

65.6

64.3

78.3

Portugal

B

67.4

86.7

32.0

85.9

Germany

B

66.8

79.8

45.3

76.3

Kazakhstan

C+

64.9

46.9

74.8

80.0

Hong Kong SAR

C+

64.0

51.9

61.1

87.6

USA

C+

63.0

66.7

61.1

59.5

UAE

C+

62.5

72.2

45.4

70.8

Colombia

C+

61.9

62.9

55.4

69.3

France

C+

61.7

84.5

40.9

54.4

Spain

C+

61.6

79.7

28.5

79.2

Croatia

C+

60.3

57.1

56.0

71.4

Saudi Arabia

C

59.5

61.5

54.9

62.9

Poland

C

57.6

59.8

45.4

71.2

Japan

C

56.3

59.2

46.5

65.6

Italy

C

56.3

72.7

23.7

75.9

Malaysia

C

56.0

44.3

56.1

74.6

Brazil

C

55.7

70.4

28.5

70.1

Peru

C

55.5

55.0

50.4

63.5

China

C

55.3

64.2

39.0

63.7

Mexico

C

55.1

63.5

58.4

37.0

Botswana

C

54.5

39.8

52.8

80.6

South Africa

C

54.0

44.2

49.1

76.6

Taiwan

C

53.6

47.6

52.9

64.1

Austria

C

52.5

66.8

22.6

71.6

Indonesia

C

51.8

41.6

50.6

69.8

Korea

C

51.2

39.0

52.7

68.5