Happy Owen Chang Day!

 Thank you, Everyone for the birthday wishes!  This year is particularly significant, since it is also my Lunar Zodiac Year (Year of the Ox), for which I am Grand Duke.  The next time this will happen for me is when I'm 60 years young.  Let's hope I make it.  

Trivia: I have the same birthday as 1988 Olympic Gold Medalist Jimmy Kim (Taekwondo, Men's Heavyweight, Team USA). We also went to the same school around the same time (UC Berkeley).

I know I keep saying that I will correct all those grammatical errors in the last few blogs, including this one; just haven't gotten around to it yet.  I intend to though.

What I've learned is that don't expect people to treat you how you'd like to be treated.  This holds true even if you treat people well.  

While we would like good treatment and ought to speak up when we are treated poorly and unfairly (provided we pick our battles wisely), feeling entitled to it in a juvenile manner will lead to disappointment and even anger.  It's best to expect little to nothing positive out of others and the best we can out of ourselves.  After all, our thoughts, emotions and actions are all we can truly control.  Knowing this will make us feel just a little bit easier, living in a chaotic world.  :-)

Happy Lunar New Year of the Metal Ox!

I know I've been pretty negligent with this website lately; having to still correct my grammatical errors for the last three of four blog entries (including this one).  It sucks sometimes having to juggle all that's in my life right now.  On the flip side of it, it is a labor of love.  I do enjoy finding more ideas and structures to work with, that will lead to more eventual progress in all areas of my existence.

The main thing that's taking the majority of my time is learning two new methodologies of trading for two different asset classes.  I came to the conclusion at the close of last year that I needed to booster my income.  While taking things to the next level is hard work and sacrifices are in the making, I think it is well worth it.  Not to say what I was doing was wrong or anything.  Think of it like expanding my tool box, adding power tools at my disposal.

Enough boring folks with my stuff.  Let's give a quick thing about the New Year ahead, shall we?

Now, I'm no expert when it comes to these empirical studies of astrology and zodiacs.  I know for a fact it doesn't predict the future or pave any type of destiny, as many believe.  For that reason, much of the talk about this subject often takes a backseat in the mainstream; often dismissed as some hocus pocus shit.  I'm here to tell you, it's far from that.  Much of the layout is just a roadmap with a guided GPS in which one could choose to do what one wishes.  It goes without saying, don't buy everything you see and hear.  Some of the stuff out there is garbage.  But isn't that the same with everything (e.g. news)?

In short, the Year of the Ox (which is my zodiac sign, by the way), offers stability, solidified plans and sure-footed execution toward a common good.  Does this mean it's going to actually happen?  I'm betting that it will more likely happen than not happen.  What about turmoil and chaos, will that subside?  I don't think so; however, at least if there are plans and a clear direction for positive change, actionable steps are more likely going to be taken, if not done so already.  The ball is rolling.  Either we are on top running that allows us to move forward, or we are rolled under, crushed like a tomato; splattered all over the place!

If I am to offer one word this year, it is RESILIENCE!  

I know this blog is extra long.  All the same, I hope it is enjoyed.

Happy Lunar New Year!  :-)

2020: Not So 20/20

 I'm going to be like all the rest of the posts, videos and media, that will say 2020 was a trying year; for some way more than others.  One thing is for sure is people during any type of crisis show who they really are!  As uncomfortable as a lot of the bullshit is, at least we know now who are naughty and who are nice.  Much like a flashlight beaming on a batch of nasty cockroaches, many are now exposed.  This may sadly include some, if not all, of those whom we have trusted, enjoyed companionship and even loved will now need to be eradicated from our lives should we wish to survive, even thrive, going forward.

However, we are not out of the woods just yet.  Just because it's an end of a year, doesn't mean that this shitty disco party has come to end.  In fact, I'm counting on this boogie to continue to a while longer; riddled with more narcissism, racism and full-on rapid hand-flailing political bickering.  It's like having a sword fight aboard a sinking ship.  I'm already in the water, braving the elements, swimming for shore!  

While we can't truly escape these demons, no matter how far we swim, run, climb or even hide (damn, sounds like a typical fucking lucid nightmare); we can never outlast KARMA.  While I'm awaiting the vaccination to be available to my mom and I, I can't help but to realize that we are in a country that are amongst the "rich ones" that have bought more than their share (i.e., more than they need).  

Does that sound familiar with the whole toilet paper hoarding thing that keeps happening in a so-called "civilized" society?  While, yes, the roll-out has been quick, we have yet to see a systematic and sound protocol for how the distribution is to commence.  Even my mom's doctor's fucking confused!  That's bullshit!  

And what about the less developed countries, let alone the under represented people in the USA, namely the Native Americans; whose land was taken from them BY FORCE, and have been gravely exploited then and ever since?!?  I should say that "exploited" is putting it way too lightly.  How can there be any reconcile for rape, pillaging and genocide?  Those of them that are infected with COVID-19 are shoved into cheap hotels with little or no medical supplies (most importantly those life-saving oxygen tanks).

Now, we all know the axiom, "What comes around, goes around."  My question is, will these actions of taking more than you need and fucking over the rest have true consequences?  More boldly put, will all this somehow karmically backfire?  If so, then when?  It appears that there's been eons of unchecked prosperity for some people but not for other people.  It honestly frustrates me to think that that "coming around" bit ain't "going around" quite as I've been taught.  I hope I'm wrong.  Whoever has done the  wrong doing will get theirs in the end; perhaps even sooner than I thought.  That has to be right...right?

Even with all this, I still have a little fire in me that says things will turn around for the better.  See?  I still got hope.  That's something we CANNOT give up to ANYONE!!!  

Oh yeah, Happy New Year!  ;-)

The Red Button

 "Be there for yourself, you know?"

-Louise Hay

I meant to write this blog yesterday.  

Tomorrow is perhaps one of the most important days in US history and maybe even the world.  After the election is in the books, humanity will have changed forever; regardless who wins.  With the pandemic seemingly here to stay for a while longer, how things are handled will either flatten the curve or increase the spread of the virus.  The way the situation stands, I don't believe it is an exaggeration that we could face mass extinction: a complete annihilation of the human race.

For that reason, change is imperative if we are to survive.  Unfortunately, I would be surprised if that order will be coming around anytime soon.  For those that can "read between the lines" you know what I mean.  Let's just hope that, should the outcome yield a possibility for a positive turn in events, an EXECUTED plan will lead to unification, healing and the eradication of this horrible disease.  May the solution resonate throughout the world.  If not, we might just be a byproduct of the Earth healing itself and that it's US it's getting rid of.  

In short, we're fucking up.  God, I hope I'm wrong!          

Level 11

"If you make friends with yourself, you'll never be alone."

-Maxwell Maltz

Thank you for those that wished me a Happy Birthday.  Level 11 symbolizes not only my birthday on the 11th but also my age of 47...4+7=11.  This double digit number also represents alignment with one's purpose for the higher good.

In the age of awakening, healing of the self and the Earth are paramount; unfortunately at the cost of many, many lives and the deep grief endured by those beloved left behind.  We must take responsibility for our reckless and narcissistic behavior as a collective, if we are to survive and even thrive.

Noticed the weather has been slightly cooler where it is normally warmer?  Also, time that once moved faster, may have slowed back down just a little, though it is definitely still not back to "normal".  When our planet is healing, we as a collective are healing as well.  This is a great opportunity.  Let's not fuck this up; there may never be another one.

Mr. T-10 Days

Until then, enjoy this:

A Corona Please, Hold the Virus

I thought today is as good of a day as any to talk about what's on everyone's mind: the coronavirus or COVID-19.  While this illness is indeed spreading, causing death and destruction on a global scale, it is but a symptom of a greater and more devastating pandemic: fear.

Fear has been ever increasing, causing inflammation on the planet and in its inhabitants.  We can see this in global warming (which is very real, for those still living with "their heads in the sand"), increasing natural disasters and now our current state of affairs; which is sadly creating a great deal of mass hysteria and panic.

It is fair to say that our collective reaction to the disease is way worse than the disease itself.  To stipulate further, it has brought out more of what is already in us.  Much like an orange that can only produce orange juice when you squeeze it, the building pressure we as a society have placed on ourselves has amplified our narcissism tenfold; oozing out entitlement, neurosis, anger, despair, self-righteousness, racism, separatism and my personal favorite, covert ethnocentrism (racism's prettier and more sociably acceptable cousin...though much more damaging).

I'll give a brief example.  I've been a little "under the weather" this past week (thankfully recovering; it's NOT the coronavirus, just to clarify) and aware that the virus originally started out in China.  Being Asian and being sick may not be a great combination for someone living in a predominantly white middle class/working class neighborhood in the suburbs right now.  To that point, going to Walmart proved interesting last week.  I tried very hard to not talk or cough, moving briskly yet calmly to get all my items on my list.

I could feel the stares and the "Parting of the Red Sea" as I came through the aisles.  Now, it may be given that I was just a sick individual that people didn't want to be in contact with.  However, the blatant looks and the vibe was too hard to ignore.  No, not everyone was like that but the point is very clear.  I even managed to almost make it to my car without coughing.  I was a couple feet from the door when I had to let it out.  When I was done, I looked up and there was a white lady in her pickup truck glaring at me with a disapproving mouth gesture.  Would she have done the same thing if I was, say, white?  Possibly, though I'm willing to "bet the farm" that if she had, it wouldn't be to that degree of disgust.

Returning to the orange analogy, unlike an orange, we can change what's on the inside of ourselves.  We can choose.  It won't be easy, though I know it is certainly well worth working on.  We have and can create damage.  Is the opposite true?  Of course it is.

So in that example, what did I end up doing?  I first forgave the lady and all those that exhibited adverse behavior towards me.  Second, I forgave myself for attracting that situation to me.  Taking responsibility for my vibrational match to something like that is the only thing that I have 100% control over, given what happened.  Am I a saint?  Far from it!  I'm working on this as part of my life journey to be better.  And when I fall from grace, which happens more often than I'm willing to admit, I encourage myself and keep up the good work.  After all, why not?  Maybe good things will come my way as a result.  You know what?  Much of it already has.  For that, I am grateful.

Happy 84, Mom!

My mom was born in the Year of the Rat and today is her birthday.  This means she has completed seven cycles so far.  Way to go!

We should be so lucky to experience the same.  In fact, having full present awareness while life unfolds keeps us in as much positive light as possible.  I'll be sure to explain more about this in my next blog.

And on that note...
  
Thank you for everything.

I love you, Mom.