Summer Lotus 16th Nov 2021 5 min read

Over the years, we had pets – dogs, cats, birds, and fishes, who came and were gone.

Whether it was due to age, illness, or injury, it was always the same ending – our beloved pet passed on in the animal hospital alone or it was put down.

For the last sixteen years, we had adopted three abandoned stray kittens and they grew up pretty relaxed, peaceful, and happy. These furry friends became family members, couch companions, and ‘mood therapists’. They have been a source of laughter and happiness at home.

Recently, one of our cats, Yoda fell off his perch a few times but got back up. We knew that he was getting old and clumsy.

But one day, he could not right himself and we knew that he was nearing the end of his days. He was a quiet cat and loved to be cuddled.

Instead of panicking and bringing him to the animal hospital, we wanted him to be more comfortable at home surrounded by family. Indeed, he seemed to be.

We recalled how all our pets who were sent there looked stressed. I think it was construed as an abandonment to them. That was not going to happen to Yoda.

We recalled how Tracy, our bull terrier dog who was struggling with terminal cancer, struggled to his feet and threw us a sad look as we left the hospital.

The vet said he had to be warded if he was to survive. He did not and missed his final days.

How our bird Chirpy, gasped erratically and would not let his eyes off us as we left the treatment room while the clinic monitored his injury, even when there was no chance of recovery.

How Tear, our dying dog from old age, whimpered gently as he lay in the back of our car on the way to the emergency room. We could have let him pass on comfortably at home. Instead, he was put down to be taken off his misery.

Hence, we made Yoda as comfortable as possible. We were sure that he did not want to be surrounded by strangers, nor be placed inside some cold cage to recover, nor to have needles and tubes attached to him. After all, he was not in pain and he was dying from old age, not sickness.

Yoda also obviously had a stroke. He was immobile and could not feed himself.

We decided to feed him his favorite tuna and bottle-fed him water. Those were his daily moments of enthusiasm and joy, reflected in his eyes.

We are fortunate to have a small garden. Every day, we sunbathe Yoda for 30 minutes which was his favorite thing to do in the backyard. Then we moved him indoors onto the lined sofa bed that faced the greenery of the garden.

The family has never felt so relaxed knowing that our beloved furry pet was so comfortable. We could watch TV or listen to music together. We caressed him gently during those times. Sometimes, we took turns to rock him in the evenings.

He even got to wear baby diapers which we improvised to accommodate his tail. He looked so cute, cuddling his soft toy. Yoda lied passively on his bed liner and looked at us with his beautiful large eyes directly as if to say “Thank You”.

Yoda ate well. He was treated to a soft diet and treats and seemed to be happy in that state.

But, death was inevitable. Eventually, one morning, I received news that Yoda left us, quiet as his usual self. After the sobbing, we wrapped him inside a soft white cotton sheet. My husband dug a pit in the backyard where he was laid to rest.

Today, the plants have thrived well and we are happy that we had given our pet a peaceful and happy death.

Two weeks later, Yoda’s sibling, Mani also had a stroke and became incapacitated. By now, both cats including our third surviving one have already surpassed 16 human years old which is quite long for the life span of an average cat.

Like Yoda, Mani, a female black cat was an adorable pet with her own quirks. She was a loner, a little high-strung whose claws are always out though she was very sociable in her younger days. Like the other siblings, they rarely meowed and the neighbors did not know we have cats.

Our surviving cat, Yuki is female and white and seems to stay clear of Mani due to an earlier episode where they had fought.

Mani would sometimes be seen leaning into Yoda. Sometimes, it was Yuki. The sight of them cuddling together always remind us family members to stay cordial to each other too and keep the peace.

Mani also received star treatment every day that she lived. She was totally relaxed as she lay on the bed that Yoda lay, facing the greenery outside and listening to some soft music.

Her eyes had become glassy, body contorted but she did not whine. She looked at us curiously. Finally, the time came. Mani passed on and her paws were set as if in prayer.

The red rose contrasted drastically with her dark shiny coat as we laid her to rest in the pit next to Yoda. After some prayers, we covered her pit and also planted our beloved plants on it.

Today, our pets have never left us, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. They are a reminder to live life in an unhurried manner, be a source of solace and fun to others around, and most of all, not fear death. Just let go.

What a pet need is Love and tender care when it is dying. It needs to be comforted, consoled, and stroked. It needs to be surrounded by the family whom it has spent many years with, by the toys it had played with, and the house that it was comfortable in.

Drawing some wisdom from a great sage

Summer Lotus Oct 23 rd 5 min read

Looking back, if I had made the right type of friends, I would have become an infinitely wiser and effective person. As a teenager, not all parents have the foresight or intelligence to guide you. They may even give you the wrong advice.

Living in a competitive and real world, where you have to account for your results and behavior, who or what can guide you? I found wisdom when reading about Confucius and his philosophy.

Confucius (551–479BC) was a great teacher and had his teachings written down by his pupils who transcribed them and they became known as the “Analects”.

In it, among many important principles, he taught about the way of friendship. Friends are important in our lives. They influence and affect us in many ways. The old adage “Birds of a feather flock together” rings true. It is direct reflection of yourself when looking at your friends surrounding you.

What makes a good friend, worthy of making his acquaintance? Who are the bad ones whom one should avoid until they change their ways?

There is a common Chinese saying; A fence needs the support of three stakes, an able fellow needs the help of three other people. When one is dizzy with success, a good friend will serve you caution, when one is down, a good friend offers his shoulder for you to cry on.

Confucius listed three types of good friends; In short, they are straightforward, forgiving, and knowledgeable.

1 Upright /straightforward— -A friend who is upright is honest and sincere. He or she is transparent without a hint of flattery or fakeness. He will not lead you down the slippery road where there is a chance of you breaking the law and is sincerely caring about your welfare. He will advise you to take the right path and be bold because of that. The trust is mutual.

2 Forgiving — -The ability to forgive your friend’s mistakes is a powerful virtue. No amount of scolding, criticism, and punishment can turn a regrettable situation around. When you are not chided and you deserved to be, it is a mighty force that energizes you to want to do better instead of focusing on what had been done. It encourages the doer to double up and seek remedy in ways unimaginable. In other words, the feeling of ‘There is light at the end of the tunnel‘ will spur one to do better.

3 Knowledgeable — -A good friend is one in the know. He reads and has life experiences that he can impart to you when needed. Given today’s intellectual reach, there is no excuse for a person to be ignorant.

A knowledgeable friend is a joy because he can share tips and ways to unravel problems that may seem insurmountable to us. He is like a walking encyclopedia that instantly resolves some problems. He is also a role model for us to follow so that we can help others in the same way.

What makes a bad friend? Confucius also listed three characteristics of bad friends we should avoid preventing trouble.

1 Lack of temperance — -Avoid someone who is aggressive and quick to anger. We have witnessed street fights where it started because of one person. His friends joined in the assault, believing it is a form of support for their friend. In the heat of the moment, injuries result in even death. The whole group is drawn in as accomplices and subsequently punished.

This happens because team support has overwhelmed the reason of the fellow friends. A good friend would highlight the danger and caution one against blind fury. A good friend is cool and makes you stay away from trouble. This friend has wisdom besides temperance.

2 Indecisive — — An indecisive person wastes time and resources. He may be happy in his comfort zone and likes to see things in a status quo. When approached with an idea, indecisive people may shoot it down as they do not see the positivity in it. Opportunity lost may never come again.

It is better to depend on one’s own thoughts and reasoning to make decisions. At least you have tried and not leave room for regrets later.

3 Cunning — — This type of friend usually has his own interests in mind but often appears caring and kind. Confucius was wary of glib people and he believed in what people did rather than what they said.

These people are usually braggarts with no real talent or skill but they are convincing. They may even turn on you to get out of a sticky situation.

How do we find good friends?

Confucius related two qualities; benevolence and wisdom.

Being benevolent means loving people, being kind but being able to discriminate.

Having wisdom is knowing people. He did not advocate taking up with rich people but those who can perfect your moral character, increase your self-cultivation and enrich your mind.

Having the desired qualities of those good friends, the onus is on you to keep them so that it is a win-win relationship. It is not too late to start making good friends and supporting each other in life happily.

This involves communication. Speaking too much without consideration about others can be annoying. Most people are concerned about their own affairs, so when it is time for your turn, then say your piece. Otherwise, listening out may be more rewarding for a friendship to flourish.

Secondly, keeping silent when spoken to is not welcome either. Confucius calls this evasive and excludes others. It may even be construed as rude.

The third situation is speaking without being able to read people, which Confucius called ‘blind’. Without watching the reactions of others on the topics discussed, whether they have grated on some nerves and dug up some painful memories, one is bound to lose friends.

Confucius dished out a very important point; “ When giving advice, do it to the best of your ability, guide them properly but stop when there is no hope of success. Do not ask to be snubbed”.

I would like to add that one should not gripe too much in front of friends.No one likes a complaining, miserable person. Only miserable people love the company of other miserable people. Focus on the good and the wondrous world.

We all need good friends to set the tone together to move forward and achieve our individual goals. Good friends are like good food. They nourish you and make it a worthwhile life journey.

Speaking as a Toastmaster member of more than 35 years…….

Summer Lotus Oct 12 4 min read

Why are you so busy? Why are some people burning both ends of the candle and filling every waking hour with some activity or another? You can say that they are looking for opportunities to better themselves and prove their worth.

I think that many are not looking in the best place.

What has Toastmasters got to do with this? Well, Toastmasters activity presents “opportunities”.

It is the opportunity to discover your passions, capabilities, and motivations. As a dentist, being a Toastmasters member has benefited me immensely. During work, I do not delve very much into a chat with the patient that is not related to their dental problems.

We don’t get to jaw all day unlike some professions as the patients have discomfort and pain issues to solve. We ask standard questions, listen well and provide accurate diagnosis and treatment plans. There are really no social speaking skills to develop as dental patients are often too nervous to strike up any conversations. They just want their problems solved.

What Opportunities do Toastmasters offer?

1 Hence, I joined Toastmasters for the opportunity to hone my communication skills and do good presentations. Toastmasters program called ‘pathways’ today is so structured to improve one’s communication skills project by project. The objectives are clear and there is guidance online and sample videos to watch. One gets to grade our own performance besides being formally evaluated by an experienced member. The improvement is insidious but clearly progressing.

It is a very safe environment to make mistakes at speaking and spruce your communication skills. Everyone learns at the meeting and becomes more adept at each project.

Good communication skills encompass the fields of speaking, body language, delivery style, speech content, voice, the employment of appropriate phrases and words, the proper use of the time allotted, etc.

2 Toastmasters present the opportunity to develop leadership skills too. By joining the committee, one learns to lead others, run meetings smoothly, and fulfill the responsibilities associated with each role. My role as a President was kind of life-changing for a reticent dentist. I discovered that I could come up with almost twenty President’s opening speeches for my term! And I became a ‘recycled’ President for a second time after 10 years, with the opportunity to improve my craft further.

Personally, it has made me more confident, speak more coherently, and think more critically. At least my patients do not seem to have any questions to ask about their conditions as I was relevant and comprehensive about my diagnosis and treatment plan. I attribute my skills to Toastmasters training.

3 Toastmasters present the opportunity to engage in a mentor-mentee relationship which is very important to help a new member grow. New members who feel handicapped by communication skills are assigned mentors who would guide them with the requirements of their new projects until they are comfortable with the system.

4 The opportunity to develop critical thinking skills is due to the need to write one’s script. Based on the manuals, it would be a speech that is structured with an opening, body, and conclusion. It uses good use of the English Language and is to the point, backed up by research, evidence, and/or experience. A good script that meets the objectives would mean that your presentations at your company meetings or events would be relevant and outstanding. It also helps you to analyze a situation in a better light.

5 Toastmasters also provide the opportunity to develop listening skills which are of paramount importance to move ahead. Only by listening well, can we pick up what’s good and what’s erroneous and improve accordingly. The habit to listen well bodes well in business. Toastmasters are required to evaluate the project speeches of fellow members at the meeting so listening skills are gradually enhanced. The opportunity to evaluate and encourage others all lead to remarkable personal growth.

I feel that I am a testament to this growth after 35 years of being a Toastmaster. My thinking has more clarity, my speeches have more structure and appropriate choice of words, and my demeanor is more confident. We witness this amazing change in new members after they have completed a certain number of project speeches. After that, it is all uphill growth and maturity.

6 Toastmasters present an amazing opportunity to network. Being in a mixed bag so to speak, as members are from diverse backgrounds, we share our experiences and knowledge at each meeting. We learn from each other every time and develop life-long friendships. Some members found passion in other jobs when we got to know each other better.

Many members improved immensely and this was shown in their career paths which have gone north. Understandably, the ability to communicate succinctly helped to spur their careers forward. Who knows of a high-ranking employee who cannot speak?

Conclusion;

Toastmasters offer myriad opportunities for improving and developing communication skills, leadership skills, mento-mentee relationships, critical thinking, listening abilities, and plenty of networking chances.

It’s the secret to success in your personal, family, and career. Join a Toastmaster club if you are not a member. If you are, actively participate to benefit more from Toastmasters!

May the peace be with you……

Summer Lotus ·3 min read

A story goes like this; There was a young monk who started to practice meditation but he could not remain still. During each session, he would envision a spider appearing before him and he was perturbed.

The young monk told his master that he could not chase away the spider away. His master then suggested that during each session, he was to carry a pen and then circle the spider to see where it was exactly.

During meditation, the young monk indeed drew a circle around the spider and felt settled after that. When he opened his eyes later, he found that he had circled his own belly.

The master told him, “ Young man, you need to have a quiet mind and heart. Only in this way, you can stay detached from the rest of the happenings and enjoy your life in peace.”

When you reach a state of inner quiet, you can then enter a peaceful realm. Only then, when faced with whatever situations, we will secure an inner peace that is more likely to help us to overcome adversities.

How?

1 Read something positive every day.

Choose to switch your focus to more positive news in these days of the pandemic, climate change, and other global crises. Do your part to alleviate the situation and note that steps are being taken globally to solve the problems. Remarkable progress is being made on a daily basis and the world is not about to be extinguished. Things will get better.

2 Quit whining and seize the moments.

More than 2 years have gone by since the pandemic started. During this period, assess how much you have done to adapt to this situation improving your own lot and others too.

Quit whining and complaining that the authorities are not doing enough or not doing well. Believe that they have the pride to do a good job. Whining only saps up our time and one is none the wiser. Some people have emerged victorious, bonding more with loved ones, learning new skills, and starting alternative careers as well.

3 Slow down

The pandemic has resulted in new ways of doing things as one is thrown out of the comfort zone. During this time, look around you and see how you could better your life and others. Declutter the house, meditate, listen to music, call an old friend, look at nature around you, etc

There are so many things to be enjoyed but in our hurry, hurry world, most of us put off loads of meaningful activities. We may realize that in our past, we have had a few rushed vacations and thought that we have been there, done that. Look back at the pictures and decide what you could have done better to truly enjoy that vacation with your loved ones or your friends. Savor every moment, even if it is just a cup of coffee.

4 Exercise

Any form of exercise even if it is just a stretch relaxes your body and mind. Exercise releases endorphins which are feel-good hormones. In addition to staving off illnesses, it is a desirable goal to look good in our clothes. Make it a routine, a habit, and an enjoyment.

For example, I find that stationary biking while watching the TV yields results without me realizing it. Stretching while on the couch watching my program relieves any back sores from seating too long. Talking to my friends while walking does make walking many rounds easier to accomplish.

Life will always have its ups and downs but when we feel disquiet, we will feel disconnected and isolated. Attain your peace of mind, keep it quiet and solutions will surface in one form or another. Sometimes it was not a problem at all but it is due to your own perspective of life.

My views as a dentist

Summer Lotus 5 min read

Everything is a double edge sword. While the pandemic has sowed a lot of confusion in everyday living, incurs inconveniences, and undermines businesses, it has also led to many unprecedented changes in products, services, and ideas.

Human beings are the most intelligent and adaptive of all creatures. We should be proud of this fact and not despair as we become overwhelmed by negative news all too often. Staying positive and in the know is the essence of a bright future that continues to beckon us.

Let’s look at what changes have blossomed and improved our lives so far. The list is not exhaustive.

1 Digitisation – the pandemic has given many people a beneficial jolt by disrupting old-world practices.

For instance, because of Covid-19, we are able to make things more contactless and convenient. You need not bring documents for your clients to sign. You can hold meetings online, do your presentations and get your clients to electronically sign the deal. People, otherwise resistant to change are coerced to adopt technology that is moving forward in any case.

You do not need to be present when doing transactions at the bank when some clicks with safe multi-level authentication would help. You can arrange to have food, goods, and services brought to your doorstep. This proves safe and useful in such times and those companies who quickly went digital benefit from being first movers in this respect.

In my practice, going digital has helped immensely. For example, it has cut down my patients’ waiting time by sending the registration forms to them by email where they can fill in their details and pre-sign before visiting the clinic.

No more storage of paper registrations. Data are now recorded digitally cutting out the need for physical handling and storage of treatment cards.

2. Innovations and creativity – The pandemic resulted in the birth of leaders with vision, decision-making ability, and leadership because of the challenge to cope with the changes.

In the dental practice, many things have gone contactless like using the digital scanner to take a digital impression of the teeth and gums. No more use of the conventional gluey stuff that dentists put in patients’ mouths and they had to cast them and arrange for delivery to the laboratory. By using a digital scanner, the data is immediately despatched to the lab where the models are printed out using a digital printer, reducing mess and increasing speed and productivity.

Dental digital X-rays allow instant images to be seen on the monitor with a dosage that may be less than 1 second. Digital scans and 3 D scans allow an instant clear picture of a patient’s bone and teeth condition as well as vital structures such as the proximity of the sinus and the dental nerve. The images are stored for posterity without risks of them turning fuzzy compared with conventional films.

In healthcare, telemedicine where patients can seek medical care remotely will soon become a common tool. Lately, some doctors are already using the internet to speak to patients and reviewing their general conditions through zoom. This cuts the necessity for unnecessary travel in these Covid times and keeps the hospital available for more urgent cases.

3 Improvement in hygiene practices and lifestyle

The pandemic is a wake-up call to people who have neglected their health. Covid-19 has a predilection for people with an immune-compromised system like diabetes and other chronic illnesses and if you are not aware, poor oral health as well.

The latter is due to the fact that the mouth, besides the nose is a portal of entry to bacteria and viruses hence the use of masks.

I have noted more people exercising and taking care of their health and hygiene practices.

What is not lacking is the defeatist attitude of some people who continues to be spooked by the pandemic into a state of paralysis. And whining to boot.

I worry about their mental health. No amount of ranting and raving against the government or neighbors would help. Everyone only needs to do what is best and let providence do the rest.

As a dentist, we have observed more awareness of dental health care which is an important aspect as digestion begins in the mouth. Dental diseases are usually asymptomatic such as chronic gum disease but with hygiene being strongly emphasized these days because of the pandemic, we would see patients with better oral health which contributes to general well-being.

4 Positive educational gains virtually.

Innumerable, informative, and important talks and seminars of all industries become accessible online. They have been brought to our attention and it is up to us to make time to participate in continuous learning.

As a dentist, there is a sudden uptick in the number of dental educational webinars online that impart a remarkable amount of knowledge by renowned surgeons and practitioners all over the world. In the past, one would have to take a flight, book a hotel, and pay an exorbitant fee to attend these seminars, world exhibitions, and workshops.

Now, it is accessible through the meeting number and assigned password online at the time and date stated. The good news is that many of these courses and talks are free! It has really provided important insights into how dentistry is being practiced at a high standard all over the world. Speakers generously share their knowledge with some conducting live surgeries as well.

5 Slowing down the pace of life

With mandatory safe distancing and the wearing of masks, people have become more well behaved, so to speak. No more pushing and shoving at bus stops and train stations as people queue up systematically and patiently. They cough with restraint fearing angry stares from fellow commuters. Generally, mobile phones have become silent during travel as talking is discouraged.

At the dental clinic, appointments are spaced out so that the waiting room does not get crowded and patients feel comfortable. More time is allocated to each patient as the need for proper safe entry, hand sanitizing, digital record taking, and preparation of surgery rooms takes time.

Procedures become less hurried. Practitioners, assistants, and patients benefit from the slowdown of this ‘daily chase’ that has been unknowingly plaquing people in this hurry, hurry world. There is a perceptible sense of peace and happiness these days. Things are going well at the dental clinic. Life was not meant to be a numbers game.

Undoubtedly, the pandemic has hurt many industries but there are options to explore to beat the change or at least adapt to it. Given time, many will emerge victoriously or resume with some amazing ideas. Human beings, from time immemorial, have always overcome adversities.

Now is a difficult time but we must agree that “Difficulty is the mother of invention.” and we will prevail.

Thanks to my renewed interest in reading.

Recently, I developed a penchant for Mandarin.

I grew up in an environment where half of my siblings were schooled in Mandarin. My dad hailed from China in the 1920s as a young immigrant. He was a teacher and I used to be intrigued by his Mandarin accent.

When I was young, I sat in his class sometimes as a kid while he taught in the now-defunct Mandarin Hakka clan school but the language never did catch my fancy.

Until I reach this retiring age.

As I delve into reading about some Chinese idioms and common phrases, I started to fall in love with the metaphors of these expressions of which I am elaborating only three.

They became very meaningful to me and I often applied them in my daily living.

1 我们要雪中送炭不要雪上加霜。

Translated, this beautiful metaphor means we should try to bring charcoal to the snow and not add frost to the snow.

It sounds quite weird in English but the meaning is as follows ;

雪中送炭 – Bringing charcoal to the snow. In this scenario, the charcoal is brought to warm the snow and hence relieves the coldness.

In a difficult situation, it is to do something to alleviate somebody’s pain or discomfort.

For instance, if someone is in trouble and asks you for help, would you ignore or see if you can help? In my case, I will assess if it is within my capacity to assist. If not I could refer to someone who has the knowledge, resources, and willingness to help. By turning away, you are allowing the person to ‘freeze in the snow’, so to speak. Helping him is likened to bringing charcoal to his freezing state.

It would be most distressing to the person to launch into a lecture or a tirade against what he or she has or has not done. Because he has come to sought help in the first place.

If you bring charcoal to the snow ie you help in some way, you will see the relief, the smile, and the peace when the affected person is given hope and you feel happy and fulfilled in return.

In other words, do not bring frost to the snow 雪上加霜. This is putting frost on the snow, making it colder.

This is by nagging and scolding the person who is already distraught when he seeks help from you ie you are kicking a person who is already down.

In short, bring solutions and not add to the problems. I tried to apply this principle every day and found my peace of mind that I do not aggravate others. Even leaving a few words of kindness and encouragement is also a form of charcoal.

2 不要一口吃胖子 – Literal meaning is that ‘ Do not eat a fat person in one mouthful ‘

Again, it sounds awkward but this is one principle that already exists in the English lexicon. The English equivalent is “Do not bite off more than you can chew”.

However, I like the ‘fat person’ metaphor in Mandarin because it is more graphic and hence it sticks with me. It is my constant reminder to seek balance and not to overdo things.

For example, if I am overwhelmed by work, I would begin to space out my appointments so that the fewer patients have my undivided attention and the job gets done well even if it means less income.

My goal is to achieve 100% satisfaction in solving patients’ complaints.

Cramping a whole list of goals in a day is likened to eating up a fat person.

A classic eg; You want to hit 10,000 steps every day, have your diary of appointments back to back, close as many deals as possible and finish all your assignments by the end of the day and expect a full commitment for your family.

This puts a huge strain and stress on yourself and all the steps taken may be mediocre as there is a time crunch. Something or most of it will buckle. Maybe your sanity.

Spending excessively without saving at all is also a similar scenario. Landing yourself in a dire financial situation due to overspending is the result. Overeating is also like eating a fat person except you look like one.

The third Mandarin phrase of interest to me is 冰冻三尺非一日之寒。

Translated, it means three feet of ice does not form in a day. This idiom in English is known popularly as “ Rome was not built in a day”

This is another principle which I need to drum into my head every day.

Naturally impatient, I expected success but what I get is mediocrity sometimes either due to poor timing or due to being in a rush.

Everything takes time. Haste makes waste, it’s been proven.

To do a job or anything well, there are no shortcuts. We need to take action, understanding the basics, the structure, the intricacies of what makes anything tick.

Watch an apprentice work then compare his work to his master. The master has honed his skills for ages, probably made many mistakes, and corrected his ways until he arrives at the ultimate skill to produce his craft. He has reached the pink of perfection.

By the same token, when observing how someone is skillful at his job or anything else, we must remember that he must be an industrious, patient, and persistent person. The good news is that we all can become what we want to become given time and the tenacity to pursue our goals.

These three common expressions sound innocuous but they have helped me smoothen out my ice journey. Every time that I am caught in a sticky situation, I asked myself “Am I bringing charcoal to the snow or adding frost to the snow”? Am I eating a ‘fat man’. Do I know that “three feet of ice does not form in one day”?

By abiding by these are simple principles, I have largely stayed on course in my relationship with others, maintain balance in my life and stay calm in my pursuits.