Who Stole My Qoo?

Cool... that's Qoo vending machine!!!

Growl... how come there is no Qoo... :(

Set wrong expectations... end up in negative experience...

XY 之 Hea

世界不公平嗎？

可能永遠都不會有答案。

如果說不公平，每一個人其實都擁有相同的二十四小時。

如果說公平，又會發現四周都佈滿不公平！

雖然每個人都有時間，但時間是有限的。哪怕你長命百歲，也都只能是百年。

曾經有一套電影，說如果愛要有一個限期，希望會是一萬年。就算愛，也不會海枯石爛，地老天荒，一萬年原來已是極限！

既然時間不會一直延續，為什麼還要浪費它，不好好珍惜它呢？

Hea是公平的公敵！
Hea是失敗的藉口！
Hea只存在於廢人的世界！

XY 之 五區公投

公投？什麼是公投？為什麼要公投？公投對我有什麼好處？

公投！ ？真的是公嗎？全部人都會跑出來投嗎？就連這個公都還沒搞清楚，就鬧鬧鬧要什麼垃圾公投！我呸！

社會已經很動盪。我希望的，就只是一點安定。搞政治的，從來就是在演戲。演得好，贏得觀眾，就贏得全世界。至於是否全世界都同意你的所謂偉大政綱，已經不重要。就算真的有反對聲音，他們也能訓練到自己左耳入右耳出，若無其事，然後再來一招皮笑肉不笑，大踏步邁向自己的富貴路！倘若人家窮追猛打，就來一場六國大風相，看誰怕誰！

政治、經濟。 。 。其實我在乎的就只是經濟。

老百姓大都只在乎兩餐是否溫飽。政治的事，就讓戲班裡的戲子去搞去。

靠山山會倒，靠水水會幹。

靠得住的只有自己！

Emotion versus Reason

Jerry Hocutt wants to understand why selling to the emotions work?

Interesting...

There is always the battle between emotional and rational mind...

When to use emotional? When to activate rational? What are emotional issues? What are rational?

People are human beings, and they have emotions, feelings and thoughts.

The line between emotion and reason almost does not exist. The only way to make better decision is to strike a balance between the two.

Good to Great Salespeople

Alen Majer suggests this: sales people sell ideas, not products.

Is this true?

Hm...

Bad salespeople sell products. Good salespeople sell ideas. Great salespeople sell experience.

善忘

當它終於成爲你一部份的時候，你便可能再也察覺不到它的存在價值或重要性。人，總是善忘的；是因爲沒必要再記掛，還是不願意再想起？沒必要，是不再在乎了？不願意，是為了逃避？從無到有，從來就不會是一朝一夕的事情。人非草木。善忘，談何容易？

記憶，是有限額的。限額快到了，一些被認爲是多餘的舊愛就會被永久刪除，以確保有足夠的空間留給未來的新歡。這，跟不在乎和逃避已沒有任何關係。忘記，本來就是在所難免。問題在於，在這個篩選過程當中，甚麽是多餘的？為甚麽一些曾經刻骨銘心的事情一轉眼便消失得無影無蹤，變得不再難捨難離？難道時間真的能夠沖淡一切？若時間的巨輪能磨滅一切，歷史為何還能存在至今？

我們在乎的實在太少了；又或是說，我們從來只會在乎我們想在乎的東西。那些不再被在乎的，在不知不覺中隨隨便便被遺忘掉，沒一絲可惜。而不被在乎的原因，是因爲供應太多導致一文不值，還是價值太少所以不被重視。

『魔鬼在細節中。』這些點點滴滴，往往可能才是最重要。

拖鞋？你大概每天都會穿著，但你有否注意過它的存在？如果有，是在甚麽時候？如果沒有，是甚麽原因？沒有拖鞋的日子會是怎樣？

標點符號？有思想，便有文字。有文字，便有標點符號。可是，大部份人通常只會著重文字上的表達，卻忽略了標點符號所能帶出的價值。一句簡簡單單的說話，在不同的地方放上同一樣的標點符號，效果會完全不一樣。我們曾否細究如何善用標點符號把文章的價值發揮到最大？可能，我們連標點符號分多少種也不知道！

呼吸？人若失去了呼吸，就會缺氧，慢慢昏睡，最後死亡。這麽微不足道的小玩意兒，卻主宰了每一個人的生老病死。但，我們甚麽時候會像愛我們的最愛般愛呼吸？我們有否嘗試感覺我們是怎樣呼吸？我們曾否去了解一分鐘需要呼吸多少次才算健康？而我們又曾否關心過目前自己呼吸的狀態是否正常？

天使與惡魔，往往只存在於一念之間。拖鞋、標點符號、呼吸，只是眾多之中的一小部份。在那一念間慎重考慮，仔細思量這些小東西，便能為自己和別人創造最大價值，功德無量！

問客問

很多時候，人總以爲或希望自己什麽都知道，因為全知全能仿佛能給他們鶴立雞群、與衆不同的感覺。而人，就是這麽的天真無知，以爲這些膚淺的行爲就能讓他們敷衍了事。正因如此，每當身邊的人面對困惑需要一些意見的時候，他們便搖身一變，成爲天下無敵的智者，也等不及善信雙手合十向他許願，總之他們就如相當靈驗的神仙般有問必答、有求必應！

可是，他們可能不明白，智者從來就不會天下無敵，只會與世無爭。這個世界實在有太多飛上枝頭變鳳凰的故事，但在知識的角度裏，唾手可得的，很可能都是些語無倫次的無病呻吟。

有句話說的好：「給人魚吃，不如給他一跟釣竿，教他如何釣魚。」要能做到這，便需要問客問，而絕非答客問。

甲：早晨
乙：是？
甲：近日公司發生左事呀，想聽你的意見。
乙：？
甲：公司本身有3個業務員，依家會走2個，再請番1個新的人。
乙：哈！發生什麽事了？
甲：因為阿頭唔係太喜歡佢地。
乙：明白。
甲：所以佢講埋d好難聽的東西，令佢自動走。對我最大困擾的，是佢訂價出現問題。比方說，我地的批發價係$150；但係其他地方的零倉價竟然係$500 3 盒，另加送測試。
乙：那又如何？你的崗位是？
甲：我係要推廣產品比藥房的，如果佢甘訂價錢，一定無人肯要。
乙：你的崗位是？
甲：唔明你意思。。。
乙：你的職責是！？
甲：賣野比藥房
乙：還有？
甲：反映藥房意見比公司知。你意思係，我同阿頭反映依個問題？
乙：好。那你反映了沒？
甲：佢都知的，不過無咩反應。因為佢負責訂價的。
乙：那你應如何做？
甲：公司細，佢差唔多話晒事架。
乙：那你應如何做？
甲：而且佢阿頭都知價錢，亦無咩反應。
乙：那你應如何做？
甲：除左不停同佢講，或者搵第二份工，我想唔到方法。
乙：很好。你的底綫會定在哪？
甲：我依家唔走得至。。。因為我年底要做東亞運義工，唯有留係到。
乙：那你的底綫在哪？
甲：一直做下去，直至年尾。我明你意思，不過有人提議我照走，寧願到時同東亞運講唔得閒。
乙：那你如何定義誠實（integrity）?
甲：應承左人的，盡量去做好。
乙：那你的底綫現在在哪？
甲：不過我認為有時亦要為自己將來打算。
乙：如果是這樣的話，你根本就不需要意見。就按你自己的意願行事吧。
甲：我明白你意思了。
乙：那是？你從剛才的對話中得到什麽？
甲：我會做下去。
乙：為什麽？會用什麽態度對待？和做到什麽時候？
甲：最少直至年底。。。因為唔想反口。
乙：很好。還有其它問題嗎？
甲：無啦，謝謝。

Old Buildings Beta

Can the rich spend a day here?

Imperfect? Beta

Imperfect is perfect in the eyes of a 4-year-old.

Who Cares About Rules? Beta

According to the MTR, there are certain rules to observe in order to ensure a safe and comfortable journey. Some important but always ignored ones are listed below.

1. Please move into the bus compartment after boarding.
2. Please do not obstruct the staircase or doorways.
3. Please hold on to the handrails while standing.
4. Please offer your seats to the senior citizens, disabled persons or pregnant ladies.



There are rules to almost everything. However, people always relax rules governing themselves. They care less about how others feel and what others think.



As Mahatma Gandhi put it, "there are limits to self-indulgence, none to restraint." When will people learn to respect others through respecting themselves?

Derwent Executive

Because of the poor economic climate, I start looking for a job again. Below is the reply from one recruitment agency. Interesting one!

Derwent: Dear Daryl

Experience: This one is better than Manulife... at least they know my name.

Derwent: Reference Number: GXX/1XXX1

Position: Asia Pacific Training Manager - Retail

Thank you for your recent application and the details you provided outlining your employment history in relation to the above position. I have perused your resume in detail but unfortunately, on this occasion you have been unsuccessful.

Experience: I have been unsuccessful... I HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL!!! Thank you for telling me that I've failed!!!

Derwent: Again, thank you for taking the time to respond to our advertisement. I wish you well in your job search.

Experience: Oh yeah... you wish!

Derwent: Yours sincerely

DERWENT EXECUTIVE

for and on behalf of Xxxxxxxx Heng

Agnes Xxxx
________________________

derwent executive
t. +852 2xxx 1xx1
d. +852 2xx1 8xxx
axxx@derwentexecutive.com.hk
www.derwentexecutive.com.hk

Experience: On behalf of someone? How busy is this Heng!? Well... maybe that's how the world operates. When you have no value, they don't even bother writing back personally.

Derwent: NOTICE
The information contained in this electronic mail message is privileged and confidential, and is intended only for use of the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, reproduction, distribution or other use of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender by reply transmission and delete the message without copying or disclosing it.

think before you print - a component of Derwent Executive's enviromental management system

Experience: Will I print out this junk!?

Manulife

This is a letter I received on 23 April from Manulife. Obviously, this is just another junk letter. However, should a company that positions itself as a professional service provider do junk mail?
_________

Manulife: Apr 23, 2009

Dear Manulife Customer,

Experience: They don't even know my name!?

Manulife: Change of Manulife Advisor/MPF Intermediary

Experience: So what is it exactly? Manulife Advisor? Or MPF Intermediary? Gee!!!

Manulife: Policy(ies)/Account(s): 0xx0x0xx-2xx3x6

We would like to advise you that WONG XX XXX, XXXX, who has been serving your policy(ies) or account(s) is no longer registered with our Company. To ensure the continuity of our professional service to you as our valued customer, we have assigned one of our experienced Manulife Advisors/MPF Intermediaries* to serve you:

Name of new Manulife Advisor/MPF Intermediary: MAK SAU XXXX, XXXXXXX
Contact Number: 9XXX XX6X

Experience: I never know that there is this WONG something! And who's this MAK again!? Experienced?! How do I know!?

Manulife: Please be aware that it may not be in your best interest to surrender your policy early or switch your policy to a new one. If you are approached at any time in this regard, please contact Manulife for further follow up.

Experience: Holy! Should I contact Manulfie, or that MAK!???

Manulife: We are confident that you will continue to receive quality service from Manulife and thank you for choosing Manulife to meet your financial needs.

Experience: As far as I could remember, I have never received any quality service from Manulife.

Manulife: If you have any enquiries regarding your policy(ies) or account(s), please contact your new Manulife Advisor/MPF Intermediary or our Customer Service Hotline at 2108 1188.

Experience: If there is MAK, then why again this Customer Service Hotline? Does it imply that I should not rely on MAK for the professional service but Customer Service Hotline!?

Manulife: Yours faithfully,

Manulife (International) Ltd.
Customer Services

Experience: I was expecting MAK to write me this letter, but not Customer Services!

Manulife:* If you prefer to be served by a particular Manulife Advisor/MPF Intermediary for your policy(ies) or account(s), we will organize this upon receipt of your written confirmation.

Experience: Forget about it!

Manulife: This is a computer printout. No signature is required.

Experience: Oh so what!? Am I supposed to sign on a junk letter?

Project on Writer Opportunity (O2)

本安排在4月22日跟進的觸點，最後因事務煩忙而無法履行自己對自己的承諾。這，大概就是人生：絕大部分的時間也事與願違。我所聯絡過的報章，沒有一份給我回覆。失望嘛？哪會兒？從來沒有過希望，失望只會是奢侈品。又或者，失望已成爲生活的一部分。就算真的還能有感覺，都不知不覺變得麻木了。

六天後的4月28日，我終于找到一點時間，做一點正事。

昨天，過去了，不再煩；今天，正在過，不必煩；明天，還沒到，煩不著。甭管結果如何，有做總比沒做好。於是，我寫了這封信，作爲O2。

第三次觸點，暫定在5月8日。而選擇這個日子，並沒有特別原因。

親愛的編輯先生

大概在一星期前，我曾聯絡貴報尋找合作機會，但至今仍未獲回覆。現附上簡介，希望貴報認真考慮。

背景
蔡伯偉自1995年起在跨國機構及中小企業擁有多方面的經驗。擅長領域包括客戶體驗管理、組織管理發展、營銷銷售管理及業務流程優化等。除此以外，他亦是觸點體驗管理的創始人。其觸點體驗管理之理念更獲得到哈佛及西北商學院教授們的肯定。

經驗
由當上太古集團的見習管理生開始，蔡伯偉已於不同部門擔當不同的角色。其後，他分別在顧問服務業、電訊業、廣告業及物流業内負責管理、營銷、銷售、人力資源和培訓之工作。他擁有豐富的培訓經驗，包括人事管理、領導發展、銷售管理、客户服務及溝通技巧等。而且，他更曾在北京、上海、廣州、南京及鄭州等城市內長駐並發揮所長。

客户
蔡伯偉致力協助不同類型的客户著眼每一細處，度身設計合適及針對性的改善方案。曾與他合作的重要客户包括香港證監會、荷蘭銀行、中國銀行、貝沙灣、佳能、國泰航空、California Fitness、太古可口可樂、大昌行、惠普、安泰人壽、英格蜜兒、英特爾、香港樂施會、電訊盈科、香港市務學會、香港人力資源學會及香港科技大學等。

學歷
蔡伯偉分別於香港中文大學及加拿大西安大略大學畢業，擁有市場學碩士及經濟學榮譽學士學位。他是美國加州CustomerThink的顧問團成員（2007-2008），也是英國特許市務學會會員、香港市務學會會員、香港人力資源學會之資歷評審組的成員及香港科技大學導生計劃的指導員。此外，他亦被邀為香港教育局資歷架構內[能力標準小組委員會]的成員。

蔡伯偉
敬上

2009年4月28日

Forrester on Customer Experience

Forrester: Are you a leader in customer experience? Nominate your company for Forrester's Voice Of The Customer Award http://snipurl.com/g1a7i #FCXP09

Experience: Customer experience? Who's the customer? What's the definition of experience? Is this customer experience movement a similar experience of customer relationship management?

Forrester: Customer experience? What's the definition of experience? There is no standard, agreed upon definition of customer experience. There are some decent ones out there vying for acceptance, though. Here is one from Bruce Temkin's blog that we like: "The perception that customers have of their interaction with an organization." Or you could go with Wikipedia: "Customer experience is the sum of all experiences a customer has with a supplier of goods or services, over the duration of their relationship." Those two are pretty compatible, although I prefer Bruce’s version.

Who's the customer? Depends on the organization. For Wal-Mart it’s mostly consumers. For Oracle it’s mostly people at businesses. For the I.R.S. it’s mostly taxpayers. For NGOs it’s mostly donors. That’s a slight over simplification but I’m sure you get the idea: Customers are the humans your organization serves.

Is this customer experience movement a similar experience of customer relationship management? Customer experience and CRM are related but not the same. If you want to learn more about customer experience – and you’re not a Forrester client – you might want to go to Bruce Tenkin’s blog: http://experiencematters.wordpress.com/ If you are a Forrester client just go to the site, click Change My Role (a hyperlink near the top of the page) and select Customer Experience Professional.

Experience: Thank you for writing back... at least someone from Forrester is listening. That's an important first step.

I find it difficult to accept your definition of expereince. Bruce Temkin is a consultant of Forrester, so I won't take his definition. And wiki... I rather check the defintion from dictionaries.

For the defintion of customer, there are basically 2 types: internal and external. For internal, there are at least 3 layers: subordinate, staff, superior. Or we can refer to the Leadership Pipleline model developed by Drotter, where there are at least 5 layers. For external, you could go from B2B, B2C, B2B2C, B2G, NGO, SE... or simply follow the SIPOC model where you consider not only the demand side but also supply.

What's the defintion of relationship? What's the relationship between relationship and touchpoint? How does experience relate to touchpoint/relationship?

Try not to sell your stuff to the market. Instead, try to understand how the market thinks.

創意！？

在二零零九年四月十七日，一位名凌羽一（原名許奕暉）的人，在信報發表了一篇跟創意有關的文章。讀畢，只覺一派胡言！這，就是觸點體驗管理中所說的負面信息體驗。而負面信息體驗，通常都源于人。凌羽一是最好例子。

更有趣的是，當我在他的Facebook留言後，他竟接受不了直接的反饋，把我從他的朋友名單中刪除掉。難道這就是所謂“企業培訓家、企業顧問、大學講師、「補習天皇」、中學教師、營銷總監、節目主持、專欄作家、財經記者、推銷員等”應有的風範嗎！？上善若水，此人差之遠矣。

其文如下。

原文：大學的課堂上，學生問我：「老師，能否為『創意』下個定義？」我說：「『創意』不是一門有理可依的精密科學，它是一門不能明狀的唯美哲學。『創意』就是『創意』。老子云：『道可道，非常道；名可名，非常名。』如果真的要強行為『創意』下個定義，那麼這樣的『創意』，便不是『真正的創意』了。」

體驗：不是有理可依，但卻又精密唯美。。。這是啥玩意兒？自打嘴吧、相互矛盾，不知所謂！最可悲的是，凌羽一把簡單事情複雜化，以爲搬了老子出來，擺出一副高深莫測的模樣就能瞞天過海，只可惜天外有天，人外有人。這樣一來，反而讓我明白到創意從來就不是高深理論，而是實際行動。

原文：學生聽後似懂非懂，我在白板徐徐寫上「創意」二字，然後道：「『創』字由兩部分組成，左為『倉』，右為『刀』，意思是要成就『創意』，我們必須先在腦袋的『倉』大量積存不同概念，然後用思考的利『刀』把它們一一分解，再重新組合。『意』字由『立』、『日』、『心』三個部分組成，意味佇『立』『日』光之下的東西，其實絕無新事，只要用『心』便能細味到平凡中的真奇。」

體驗：難道這樣就不是給創意強行下個定義？

原文：念大學時，有幸遇上兩位恩師：著名編劇家劉天賜教授和著名作家陶傑（曹捷教授）。他們對「創意」的見解，令我留下非常深刻的印象。劉教授認為，「創意」其實就是在前人的「好橋」之上看出特定「式樣」（pattern），予以歸納，重新整合，再行包裝，根本沒有什麼所謂的「新穎不新穎」。曹教授則以為，「創意」就好像一雙「天眼」，教我們看到別人看不到的東西，成就源源不絕的創作靈感。而要練成這雙奇妙的「天眼」，我們必須要多見識，勤歷練，方能觸類旁通、舉一反三，最後達至創意泉湧的化境。

體驗：陶傑這人心術不正，就連菲律賓也選擇避之則吉。凌羽一既出自其門下，也就難成大器！倘若能青出於藍，就成大小不良為害人間！而且，劉天賜和陶傑也算不上是創意的佼佼者。如果想多了解什麽是創意，還不如讀一下愛德華。德。博諾（Edward de Bono）和李天命的書。

原文：思考大師東尼．布贊（Tony Buzan）及雷門．金（Raymond Keene）在他們的著作《天才之書》（Buzan's Book of Genius: And How to Unleash Your Own）中，以科學的方法評選人類史上的頂尖天才，並依名次排列。結果，博學家達文西（Leonardo da Vinci）力壓群雄，位居榜首。達文西同時是出色的藝術家、天文學家、物理學家、數學家、發明家、解剖學家、工程師和建築師。他憑着無窮的「創意」在不同領域取得空前的成就。多位學者曾經研究達文西的筆記簿，發現他思考時，總喜歡先分類列出不同的單項，然後天馬行空把這些單項自由混合和搭配，萌發出千千萬萬的新猶。

體驗：達文西可能沒想到，幾百年後竟有人把他的非凡成就與創意拉上關係？創意是其中一原因，但更重要的可能是好奇心。

原文：「日光底下無新事，脫袍換錦見新天」──只要細心觀察和分析，我們不難發現一些廣受讚揚的「創新點子」，其實也是由兩個、三個、甚至更多個的「舊概念」整合而成。港鐵在東鐵、西鐵和馬鞍山線列車播放的「新聞直線」，也不是把九巴的「路訊通」搬到列車上，而是與有線電視洽談，請他們為頻道提供節目內容。這樣一來，不但為有線電視帶來一個更廣闊的宣傳平台，也為乘客提供免費的新聞及娛樂資訊，更為港鐵帶來可觀的廣告收益，成就「多贏」。太興燒味餐廳集團的「原味冰鎮奶茶」，不就是把港式奶茶和傳統「冰鎮酸梅湯」的概念結合而成，吸引行家爭相仿效，掀起了香港奶茶文化的一股新熱潮。必勝客早前的「三國風情批」，也是啟發於經濟學的「邊際收益遞減律」（Law of Diminishing Marginal Returns），把鴛鴦炒飯以及健達（Kinder）出奇蛋「一次過滿足晒三個願望」的概念，融注在「港式比薩餅」中，為客戶帶來更多的附加價值。

體驗：這一段真的是誤人子弟。如果創意有邊際收益遞減律，那根本就不是創意！很明顯，凌羽一根本就不了解經濟學！在一知半解的情況下，就公開的語無倫次，實在是人神之所共忌，天地之所不容。

原文：「創意」這一門玄妙的學問，要用心去學，但卻不需要刻意去學。若只是為了跳出傳統的框框，而盲目去追尋新的點子，我們的思想只會掉落到另一個框框裏去。大多數的創意課程一般只把重點放在「思考工具」的研習，卻忽視了「創意本源」的內蘊。劉勰在《文心雕龍．神思》中說：「積學以儲寶，酌理以富才。」要真正透達練成「創意」的精蘊，我們必須要由最根本做起──用心去觀察、積累、思考和細味生活中的一點一滴。這樣才能練成那雙奇妙的「創意天眼」，洞悉一道又一道「意料之外，情理之內」的智慧靈光！

體驗：怎地又來了一個天眼？這，可能就是凌羽一的所謂創意—垃圾創意！

Project on Writer Opportunity (O1)

It's been my dream for many years writing for a publication, but when you are nobody who's willing to talk to you? As a result, that chance never came. I ain't that kind of person who gives up easily so I made some contacts again the past few days.

The newspapers that I tried to connect with include: am730, Metro, HKHeadLine, and HKET. I'll keep track of this project progress, and see if it will ever produce any deliverable by when.

The first touchpoint date (O1) is 13 April 2009, and the next touchpoint date (O2) will be 22 April 2009. Below is the "sales" letter I sent via email and fax.

親愛的編輯先生

尋找合作機會

早在兩、三年前，我曾經聯繫過貴報希望有機會將我在體驗管理的心得與讀者分享。但一直以來，這個希望從來就只會帶給我失望。說實在的，我清楚明白這個行業的遊戲規則。我並沒有任何背景，在傳媒界中更沒有任何脈絡，但在過去這麽多年我一直沒有放棄過。如果我就這樣放棄，我不知道還會有什麽人會像我固執地不斷堅持？

香港是一個不尊重學術的社會。但沒有理論的支持，哪來執行上的方向？常言道，理論主導實踐，實踐優化理論。光靠光說，這是不行的。國内同胞對書本知識的追求，是我們這群孤芳自賞的香港人要傚法的。如果我們仍然以爲自己不需靠實用的知識就能自我增值，我恐怕不久將來我們這班井底之蛙就再沒有任何價值可言。

體驗管理，牽涉的範圍很廣，從修身、齊家、甚至乎治國、平天下也用得上。我相信這些分享能讓讀者從一個新角度，了解如何透過體驗來達到平常心。

雖然我知道這封信很有可能會再次石沉大海，但我仍天真地認爲，還有辦報人有興趣做一些有意義的文章。而我相信，以編輯先生的辦報理念，也會同意這是傳媒一個不能忽略的社會責任。兩年後的今天，我有著同一個希望。若編輯先生對這個題材感興趣，我希望有機會通過貴報與讀者建立一個互動平台。

蔡伯偉
敬上

2009年4月13日

Little Things Defined?

What are little things? Why little things? How to do little things right?

As always, there is no standard answer to this seemingly simple question. In such a case, let's consult conventional wisdom.

"What we call little things are merely the causes of great things; they are the beginning, the embryo, and it is the point of departure which, generally speaking, decides the whole future of an existence. One single black speck may be the beginning of a gangrene, of a storm, of a revolution." Henri Frederic Amiel

"Show me a man who cannot bother to do little things and I'll show you a man who cannot be trusted to do big things." Lawrence D Bell

"Don't be afraid to give your best to what seemingly are small jobs. Every time you conquer one it makes you that much stronger. If you do the little jobs well, the big ones tend to take care of themselves." Dale Carnegie

"It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important." Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

"Its the little things that matter, that add up in the end, with the priceless thrilling magic found only in a friend." Elizabeth Dunphy

"A small leak can sink a great ship." Benjamin Franklin

"For the person for whom small things do not exist, the great is not great." Jose Ortega Y Gasset

"There is nothing, Sir, too little for so little a creature as man. It is by studying little things that we attain the great art of having as little misery and as much happiness as possible." Samuel Johnson

"All difficult things have their origin in that which is easy, and great things in that which is small." Lao Zi

"The human tendency to regard little things as important has produced very many great things." Georg C Lichtenberg

"Inches make champions." Vince Lombardi

"Never neglect the little things. Never skimp on that extra effort, that additional few minutes, that soft word of praise or thanks, that delivery of the very best that you can do. It does not matter what others think, it is of prime importance, however, what you think about you. You can never do your best, which should always be your trademark, if you are cutting corners and shirking responsibilities. You are special. Act it. Never neglect the little things." Og Mandino

"It's the little things that make the big things possible. Only close attention to the fine details of any operation makes the operation first class." J Willard Marriott

"We can not do great things. We can only do little things with great love." Mother Teresa

"It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen." John Wooden

"It isn't the big pleasures that count the most; it's making a great deal out of the little ones." Jean Webster

"Little things seem nothing, but they give peace, like those meadow flowers which individually seem odorless but all together perfume the air." Georges Bernanos

老公

老公，就是婚前總是早早赴約，婚後總是遲遲回家的那個人；
老公，就是婚前在你面前像孫子總是百依百順，婚後在你面前像老子總是發號施令的那個人；
老公，就是婚前只看你的臉蛋是否漂亮，婚後只看你的雙手是否會幹家務活的那個人；
老公，就是婚前對你常常發誓，婚後對你常常發火的那個人；
老公，就是婚前常替你做事，婚後常叫你做事的那個人；
老人，就是婚前向你送玫瑰，婚後向你交工資的那個人；
老公，就是婚前對你說十句頂一句，婚後對你說一句頂十句的那個人；
老公，就是婚前對你說“你是我的一切”，婚後對你說“我是你的一切”的那個人；
老公，就是婚前在你面前幹淨整潔，婚後在你面前不修邊幅的那個人；
老公，就是婚前常常盤問你，婚後又怕被你盤問的那個人；
老公，就是婚前對你的嘮叨百聽不厭，婚後對你的嘮叨火冒三丈的那個人；
老公，就是婚前總說你美麗，婚後總說別人老婆漂亮的那個人；
老公，就是婚前與你逛街時口袋裡裝滿鈔票，婚後與你逛街時口袋裡沒有鈔票的那個人。

這，可能對老公有點兒不公平了。

曾經有這樣的一個故事。

在很久很久以前，有一對老夫婦。他們總是步伐不一致，公公總是大步大步地走在前面，而婆婆總是在後面急步急步地追。婆婆整天都不明白為何公公總是那麼急，同樣的公公也不明白為甚麼婆婆總是那麼慢。雖然如此，他們始終沒放棄等待和追逐，因為他們是那麼地深愛著對方。

有緣千裡來相會，無緣對面手難牽。緣，讓我們愛，讓我們恨，讓我們癡，讓我們憾。而誰又沒有遺憾？若回首，千瘡百孔，不堪一擊。所有的悲歡離合，我們又經歷了多少？少之又少，但卻歷歷在目，刻骨銘心。

愛你所愛的人，珍惜愛你的人，祝願天下所有的有情人終成眷屬！

Religion Beta

"I am a deeply religious nonbeliever - This is a somewhat new kind of religion." Albert Einstein

Like any religion you either believe it or you don't. For those who do believe it, there is no question that this is the right approach and you probably can't understand why people are even questioning this. For those who don't believe it, they need more proof that this will work as they do not have your faith.

If you believe then nothing else matters, you don't need evidence, you take things on faith, like any religion.

The question is, how do we create a religion? How do we make people believe?

Details Beta

"The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life." William Morris

Who's actually in the details? God, or the devil?

Some say "The devil is in the details," meaning the details might cause failure. Some say "God is in the details," meaning opportunities come from digging into the details. Both are true, but the latter is a more positive version.

However, it does not really matter which version is better. The key message is "even the grandest project depends on the success of the smallest components."

Make little things count!

Life Beta

"Life is the art of drawing without an eraser." John W Gardner

What's the meaning of life?

Below are the defintions from different online dictionaries.

Cambridge Dictionaries
1. the period between birth and death; the experience or state of being alive
2. way of living or a particular part of someone's life
3. the period for which a machine or organization lasts
4. the quality which makes people, animals and plants different from objects, substances, and things which are dead
5. energy or enthusiasm
6. everything which is alive
7. In art, if you work from life, you paint, draw, etc. real people or objects usually while they are in front of you rather than from memory
8. especially in children's games, one of the limited number of times that you can lose, but still continue playing

Dictionary.com
1. the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic objects and dead organisms, being manifested by growth through metabolism, reproduction, and the power of adaptation to environment through changes originating internally
2. the sum of the distinguishing phenomena of organisms, esp. metabolism, growth, reproduction, and adaptation to environment
3. the animate existence or period of animate existence of an individual
4. a corresponding state, existence, or principle of existence conceived of as belonging to the soul
5. the general or universal condition of human existence
6. any specified period of animate existence
7. the period of existence, activity, or effectiveness of something inanimate, as a machine, lease, or play
8. a living being
9. living things collectively
10. a particular aspect of existence
11. the course of existence or sum of experiences and actions that constitute a person's existence
12. a biography
13. animation; liveliness; spirit
14. resilience; elasticity
15. the force that makes or keeps something alive; the vivifying or quickening principle
16. a mode or manner of existence, as in the world of affairs or society
17. the period or extent of authority, popularity, approval, etc
18. a prison sentence covering the remaining portion of the offender's animate existence
19. anything or anyone considered to be as precious as life
20. a person or thing that enlivens
21. effervescence or sparkle, as of wines
22. pungency or strong, sharp flavor, as of substances when fresh or in good condition
23. nature or any of the forms of nature as the model or subject of a work of art

Merriam-Webster
1. a: the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body b: a principle or force that is considered to underlie the distinctive quality of animate beings c: an organismic state characterized by capacity for metabolism, growth, reaction to stimuli, and reproduction
2. a: the sequence of physical and mental experiences that make up the existence of an individual b: one or more aspects of the process of living
3. spiritual existence transcending physical death
4. a. the period from birth to death b: a specific phase of earthly existence c: the period from an event until death
5. a way or manner of living
6. a vital or living being
7. an animating and shaping force or principle
8. the form or pattern of something existing in reality
9. the period of duration, usefulness, or popularity of something
10. the period of existence (as of a subatomic particle)
11. a property (as resilience or elasticity) of an inanimate substance or object resembling the animate quality of a living being
12. living beings (as of a particular kind or environment)
13. a: human activities b: animate activity and movement c: the activities of a given sphere, area, or time
14. one providing interest and vigor
15. an opportunity for continued viability
16. something resembling animate life

Is that life?















What's written on the tombstone?

At the end of the day, no matter how long the person lives, it's all summized in a simple symbol "-".

And, that's life.