Words are used to express our philosophy, our beliefs, our thoughts and our knowledge. For the young the pen helps them to pass examinations for a better life. Just about every thing we do depends on our use of words. Words can win friends or make enemies, inspire or upset people, create clarity or cause confusion. Words are written with pens.
Words can make us act to please or irritate, or to solve problems diplomatically without the use of force. The sword, on the other hand, is mainly used to threaten or harm others physically which words can also do.
Most influential people become what they are by the power of the word. Only “uncivilized barbarians” and modern dictators use the power of the sword to get what they want. To these people “Might is Right.” They cause the problems we face and upset the peace in our world.
Let all peace loving people show the world that we prefer the pen more than the sword. The computer ( the modern pen) is more powerful than all the modern weapons which replaced the old sword. Use your pen wisely, let the Pen continue to be your best friend to preserve the Peace we want in our world.
May the spirit of Christmas be with you all year round and all your wishes come through for the New Year and the years to come.
Lee Kum Tatt
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Setting New Year Resolutions
The New Year (2008) is fast approaching. It is the day when we make decisions about what we want to accomplish and where to place our priorities in the coming year. Some people do not think too much about setting such New Year resolutions, but others do. My husband Dr. Lee Kum Tatt (LKT) belongs to the group of “others”.
Some common resolutions people make include:
(i) I will stop smoking, stop drinking or lose some weight ,
(ii) Fantasizing on something without any clue on how these can be achieved.
These are frivolous resolutions people make without serious thoughts. Some are broken even before they get started. Because of this some believe it is a joke to make New Year Resolutions.
LKT sets up, together with his family members, New Year Resolutions just as he sets up policies, plans and implementation strategies for the organizations under his charge throughout his life. Like his staff we are expected to do our best to make the resolutions effective and produce the expected results. In the beginning we muddled our way through with some guidance from LKT. In this way we learned how to handle our own lives.
LKT is not a guru in management but we can learn a lot from his experience and the anecdotes that he can give. Today there are many books available which teach and give advice on how to make effective Resolutions and tips on how their goals can be achieved.
This year LKT wants his older grandchildren to continue to study and work hard so that they can be useful citizens who can make contributions for the betterment of their fellowmen as part of their mission in life. This is a resolution which every parent would like their children to have. However this Resolution has to be understood and takes time to acheieve results. He bought each of them a pen of their choice with an attached message.
Some may find this approach useful. Hence we decided to produce this message “The Pen is Mightier than the Sword” in LKT’s blog to start the New Year.
Best wishes for a peaceful and successful new year to everybody.
Mrs. Engeline Lee Eng Neo.
Some common resolutions people make include:
(i) I will stop smoking, stop drinking or lose some weight ,
(ii) Fantasizing on something without any clue on how these can be achieved.
These are frivolous resolutions people make without serious thoughts. Some are broken even before they get started. Because of this some believe it is a joke to make New Year Resolutions.
LKT sets up, together with his family members, New Year Resolutions just as he sets up policies, plans and implementation strategies for the organizations under his charge throughout his life. Like his staff we are expected to do our best to make the resolutions effective and produce the expected results. In the beginning we muddled our way through with some guidance from LKT. In this way we learned how to handle our own lives.
LKT is not a guru in management but we can learn a lot from his experience and the anecdotes that he can give. Today there are many books available which teach and give advice on how to make effective Resolutions and tips on how their goals can be achieved.
This year LKT wants his older grandchildren to continue to study and work hard so that they can be useful citizens who can make contributions for the betterment of their fellowmen as part of their mission in life. This is a resolution which every parent would like their children to have. However this Resolution has to be understood and takes time to acheieve results. He bought each of them a pen of their choice with an attached message.
Some may find this approach useful. Hence we decided to produce this message “The Pen is Mightier than the Sword” in LKT’s blog to start the New Year.
Best wishes for a peaceful and successful new year to everybody.
Mrs. Engeline Lee Eng Neo.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
