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If Only I had that!

Sometimes I sit back to observe, think and meditate on the state and affairs of this world and to be honest I am really baffled and astonished at how bastardized this place called earth is. On Forbes, I just read an article on an Abu Dhabi Oil Sheikh who at he’s will and might have just inscribed he’s name on an island fully owned and funded by the sheikh. On this island, it is reported theres a resort, a stable for horses and a golf course. Further down as u read along (please read full article on the link provided below), you’ll see where it says he owns 200 cars with seven Mercedes SELs painted in the colour of the rainbow. He must be living the life as we all say right but then contrast that to the east African drought. Somali recently said to have been going through famine. Children dying for lack of food not three square meals we take for granted but just one in a day. We’re not talking of education or shelter or clothes or those basic amenities. I’m speaking of FOOD.

Equatorial guinea happens to be one of the smallest  country in Africa but its the third largest producer of oil in the continent. It has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world but guess what, over 70% of its population leave in extreme poverty. Why? Because the ‘country is under a despotic government notorious for its flagrant disregard for human rights, oppression of journalists and extreme levels of corruption. It is said that the bulk of the country’s wealth is sourced primarily from its oil revenues generated by multinational oil companies like Exxon Mobil, but is unevenly distributed among the President, his family and close associates. The rest of the population suffers in silence’ Same as the sheikhs who believes the oil belongs to the family of the king (or however they organize their government) and not the people.

Who owns crude oil, who makes crude oil, who put the oil in the ground for people to drill out. Who allocates this natural resources. I come from a country where an oil block is used as gift to a single man. Then they come back to claim they give away millions in Aid to this poor African countries. Sometimes, I wonder when there will be justice and every man can leave happy with their family irrespective of where he or she resides.

Imagine the innocent people of Libya, Syria, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Pakistan, Japan, portugal, Greece, Somali, Kenya and so on. Even though and I do understand we don’t have as much millions or billions to give out, lets empathize with this people and do the little we can to help out.

Links: http://blogs.forbes.com/christopherhelman/2011/07/20/abu-dhabi-oil-sheikh-writes-his-name-in-the-sand-two-miles-wide/

http://blogs.forbes.com/mfonobongnsehe/2011/07/07/an-african-dictators-son-and-his-very-lavish-toys/

 
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Posted by on July 20, 2011 in Uncategorized

 

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What Counts!

What really does count?

How do you measure your success?

How do you quantify your happiness?

Is it the amount of £/$ you have?

Or is it the Size of house you leave in?

Is it your degree from a top university?

Or is it your top grade in a tough discipline

Is it your sophisticated smart phone?

Or is it your nice cool ride?

Is it your designer clothes and shoes?

Or is it your beautiful face?

Is it the number of boys you have on your phone list ?

Or is it the number of parties you’ve gone to in your life?

Is it your clean nice well-groomed hair?

Or is it your hmm great perfume?

Is it your been born with a “silver spoon”?

Or is it your big business?

I could go on and on because different individuals measure success in different ways but ask yourself this simple question WHAT COUNTS?

After listening to a speech by Chip Conley on Measuring what makes Life Worthwhile, I  decided to sit back and rethink my pursuit in life. A Few questions popped  in my head  like ‘what are my really chasing after?’, What is it for?, To whose benefit is it?, Is it worth the stress or pursuit?, Are there better options and What are my alternatives. Perhaps, I have answers to some of this question but I urge you to ask yourself the same questions. Is it All about getting the best degree and masters and PhD and blah blah blah, buying the latest blackberry and having the most bb contacts, having so many ex girlfriends you begin to lose count, be married to the best guy in the world, wearing the latest, expensive and most known designer wears etc.

What really do count? Happiness I guess is why we toil in day and night, in winter and summer, in autumn and spring, dry and wet, in sickness and in health, in richer or poorer and till death do us path [lol]. But what we fail to realise is it’s all vanity upon vanity. It’s like chasing the wind just like the rich man in ecclesiastics described. If you can answer the simple question WHAT COUNTS honestly, then happiness is not too far from your reach. This days, we waste time and energy pursuing irrelevant materials that brings sadness instead of the supposed happiness.

Bertolt Brecht said in a quote “Everyone chases after happiness, not noticing that happiness is right at their heels.” So my conclusion is if we can distinguish what really counts, then we’re not too far from been happy.
 
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Posted by on June 26, 2011 in Uncategorized

 

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