Recently, I keep sharing about life and what insights that I have gained.

I guess this is sign of mid-life crisis and trying to find an identity and purpose of life for myself.

Although many of us are doing this, but after all, life is not just work, earn money, spend and then work, then spend and then die correct?

This post I will share another story that I have came across but in Chinese as it gave “more feel” to the story. Of course this is with the help of chatgpt, I can type in Chinese Well but too tired to do so recently with all the things in life.

Gist of Story

Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.
After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.

开悟前，劈柴挑水；
开悟后，依然劈柴挑水。

Story

故事

在一片宁静的山谷中，一位疲惫的旅人名叫李，正踏上寻求真理的旅程。经过几日沿着崎岖山路跋涉，他终于来到了隐匿在古老松林中的一座简陋寺院。在那里，他遇到了一位名叫道的老僧，正于黎明时分默默地劈柴。

被道师平静而祥和的气质所吸引，李上前问道：“师父，什么是开悟？”

道师停下手中的斧子，微笑着邀请李与他一同沿着一条狭窄的石径走向一条闪烁着光芒的溪流。沿途，道师依然默默地履行着他的日常——他用简单的陶制水桶从溪边打水，稍后又在寺院厨房中准备着朴素的饭菜。李细心观察道师的一举一动：每个动作都充满了仪式感和宁静的喜悦。

行至一棵枝繁叶茂的大树下，他们坐了下来。李依然满腹疑问，再次问道：“师父，这些平凡的日常活动，究竟如何体现开悟呢？”

道师温和地笑了笑，说道：“在我获得开悟之前，我也曾劈柴提水。但那时，每一斧的挥动只是沉重的劳作，每一次去井边仅仅是一项必要的任务。我总是被过去的烦恼和对未来的恐惧所困扰。”

他顿了顿，眼中映出附近溪流的平静，继续说道：“直到有一天早晨，我忽然间改变了。当我挥动斧子时，竟突然感受到每一个动作中的美丽——木材敲击的声响中蕴含着生命的律动，大自然的低语在每一次呼吸中回响。就在那一刻，我明白了：开悟并不是远离生活，而是在每一个平凡的举动中觉醒，哪怕只是劈柴或提水。”

李静静地聆听道师继续说道：“开悟，就是以一颗澄明的心去看待世界，让最普通的瞬间也变得非凡。它不在遥远的高山或神秘的幻象中，而是在我们每天平淡的生活中悄然显现。”

怀着心灵深处被触动的新觉悟，旅人李对道师深深鞠躬致谢。当他继续踏上旅程时，李内心明白：无论多么平凡的任务，都蕴藏着通往真知灼见的路径，只要我们用心去体会每个当下。

In a quiet mountain valley, a weary traveler named Li journeyed in search of truth. After days of walking along rugged paths, he finally arrived at a humble monastery tucked away among ancient pines. There, he encountered an old monk named Tao, who was quietly chopping wood at dawn.

Intrigued by the serene presence of Tao, Li approached him and asked, “Master, what is enlightenment?”

Tao paused, setting his axe aside, and invited Li to walk with him along a narrow stone path that led to a sparkling stream. As they strolled, Tao continued his daily routine—filling a simple clay bucket with water from the stream and later, preparing a modest meal in the monastery’s kitchen. All the while, Li observed the monk’s actions: every gesture was deliberate and infused with a quiet joy.

After a while, they sat under the shade of a sprawling tree. Li, still puzzled, inquired again, “But master, how do these ordinary tasks reveal enlightenment?”

Tao smiled gently and said, “Before I found enlightenment, I too chopped wood and carried water. Yet, each swing of the axe was a burdensome duty, and each trip to the well was a mere necessity. I was always distracted, burdened by thoughts of the past and fears of the future.”

He paused, his eyes reflecting the calm of the nearby stream, and continued, “Then one morning, something changed. As I swung my axe, I suddenly felt the beauty in each movement—the pulse of life in the sound of the wood, and the gentle whisper of nature in every breath. In that moment, I realized that enlightenment is not a departure from life, but an awakening to the sacred in every act—even those as simple as chopping wood or carrying water.”

Li listened intently as Tao added, “Enlightenment is seeing with a clear heart, where even the most ordinary moments become extraordinary. It is not found in distant peaks or mystical visions, but right here in the simple acts of living.”

The traveler, now with a deeper understanding stirring in his heart, thanked the monk. As he continued his journey, Li carried with him the quiet wisdom that every task, no matter how mundane, could be transformed into a meditation on life—a journey toward true enlightenment.

深入探讨：故事背后的意义

拥抱当下

这个故事的核心在于正念的力量——全心投入当下的每一刻。道师的转变并非源于外在环境的改变，而是他内在体验的转变。曾经的例行公事，在他专注于当下时，都变成了通向深刻觉知的门户。这告诉我们，每一刻都有可能启迪智慧，只要我们愿意全心全意地体验它。

平凡中的神圣

许多人认为灵性觉醒需要通过隆重的仪式或非凡的体验来实现。但道师用行动证明，神圣存在于日常生活之中——在构成我们生活点滴的那些看似不起眼的行动里。无论是细致地劈柴、稳健地提水，还是静心烹调，每个动作都蕴含着一种机会，让我们在心中孕育平和与意义。

放下纷扰

在获得觉醒之前，道师深陷于分心的杂念——对过去的执念与对未来的担忧。这些纷扰使他无法体验当下的美好。只有当他学会放下这些无谓的思绪，才得以沉浸在当下的美丽中。对寻求开悟的人来说，这一教诲尤为重要：学会放下多余的纷扰，才能真正感受到生命流淌的美好。

内心的旅程

李与道师的相遇象征着我们每个人内心的探索之旅。虽然李踏上了通往寺院的道路，但他真正追寻的是内在的清明与理解。正如我们在生活中寻找的那般，开悟并不在遥远的外界，而是在我们内心深处。每一个日常的举动，都可以是自我发现、内在觉醒的步伐。

Delving Deeper: The Meaning Behind the Story

Embracing the Present Moment

At its core, this story highlights the power of mindfulness—the practice of being fully present. Tao’s transformation wasn’t the result of changing his external circumstances but in altering his inner experience. His once routine tasks became portals to a deeper state of awareness when he shifted his focus to the present moment. For modern readers, this teaches that every moment holds the potential for insight, provided we allow ourselves to be fully engaged with our experiences.

The Sacred in the Mundane

Many of us might believe that spiritual awakening requires grand rituals or extraordinary events. However, the monk Tao demonstrates that the sacred can be found in the everyday: the repetitive, seemingly insignificant actions that make up our lives. Whether it’s the careful act of chopping wood, the rhythmic motion of carrying water, or even the simple act of preparing a meal, there lies an opportunity to find peace and meaning if we approach these tasks with intention.

Letting Go of Distractions

Before his awakening, Tao was caught in the web of distractions—the past regrets and future anxieties that cloud our minds. His transformation came when he learned to let go of these mental burdens and immerse himself in the present. For those seeking enlightenment, the lesson is clear: by releasing the weight of unnecessary thoughts and distractions, we open ourselves to the profound beauty of life as it unfolds moment by moment.

A Journey Within

Li’s encounter with Tao is symbolic of the inner journey each of us must embark on. While Li traveled physically to reach the monastery, his real quest was for internal clarity and understanding. Similarly, in our lives, the journey to enlightenment is not found in external destinations but within our own hearts and minds. It is an ongoing process of self-discovery and mindfulness, where every act becomes a step toward a more profound connection with ourselves and the world around us.

结论

李与道师的故事温柔地提醒我们，开悟并非逃避平凡，而是转变我们对日常生活的态度。通过正念、感恩和全情投入每个瞬间，我们可以将最简单的任务转化为心灵成长的契机。

在忙碌的生活中，我们常常忽略身边的美好。然而，只要我们愿意停下脚步，聆听自然的低语，欣赏每个平凡瞬间的美丽，便会发现非凡其实一直隐藏在普通之中。

当你迎接每一天时，请记住：每一刻都蕴藏着觉醒的可能。拥抱你的日常生活，用心体验其中的每一份美好，让平凡中的神圣引领你走向真正的开悟。

Conclusion of Story

The story of Li and Tao serves as a gentle reminder that enlightenment is not an escape from the ordinary but a transformation of our relationship with the everyday. By embracing each moment with mindfulness, gratitude, and presence, we can turn even the simplest tasks into opportunities for spiritual growth.

In our busy lives, it is easy to overlook the beauty that surrounds us. Yet, if we allow ourselves to be present—to listen to the quiet rhythm of nature, to find joy in routine tasks, and to let go of our incessant worries—we may find that the extraordinary is hidden within the ordinary.

As you go about your day, consider this: every moment holds the potential for awakening. Embrace your routine, live mindfully, and let the sacred in the mundane guide you on your own journey to enlightenment.

Good articles that you should read!

People are drawn to dividend investing.

Why? Firstly, dividends provide a regular stream of income, allowing investors to receive a portion of the company’s profits on a periodic basis. This can be particularly attractive for individuals seeking consistent cash flow or looking to supplement their existing income. Additionally, dividend investing is often viewed as a more stable and predictable investment strategy compared to relying solely on capital appreciation.

I always write and share articles, especially on dividends which many people love them. Do read them!

• Simplified Guide to the Key Gist of Grant of Probate and Estate Planning
• Cheapest and best way to trade Singapore Stocks with CDP
• Mastering Dividend Investing: 5 Evergreen Investment Principles
• Unlock Lucrative Returns with IAPD: A High-Yield ETF Providing 7% Annual Yield and Quarterly Payouts
• Unlock Lucrative Returns with SDIV: A High-Yield ETF Providing 11% Annual Yield and Monthly Payouts
• If I am a dividend investor, this is what I would do….
• 7 Things to consider before buy a dividend stock
• 4 Dividend ETFs that can let you sleep well even in the scary bear market
• 5 Best Counters for Passive Dividend Investing
• The Three MOST Important Traits of an Investor
• What is the best investment strategy in the world?
• Ultimate Strategy of buying REITS: XXX instead of X000?
• Ultimate Free 2 Days Reit MasterClass: Exclusive at Careyourpresent.com only!

Alternatively, you can go the right side of my page, there is a search bar where you can simply search “dividend” to see all my articles related to dividends!

Of course, you can search for other things that would interest you such as “Careyourpresent”, “Reits”, “Side Hustles”, “Fixed Incomes”, “Savings” etc.

CAREYOURPRESENT

Money just buy you the chance of freedom.

When you are young and working, you exchange time for money. When you are old, you can have lots of money but you can’t buy time back, especially the things that you have missed while busying striking out in career. Of course, if you love your career, and consciously know that you are missing out the first time your child walk or talk, that’s ok, but if you are the other spectrum, please do something about it.

Your kids grew up and they no longer need you to accompany them. They no longer want to sit on your lap to share/do things with you…all these time you spent in your 9 to 6 or even longer cubicles…can the money that you have earned by you back these?

We always thought we have more time with our old parents, but we are wrong. Time with them is ticking away every day. One day it will suddenly be gone. There is no regret medicine, no reset in time. Gone is gone and cannot come back. No matter you are billionaires or millionaires, you cannot reset this.

We always thought that we have more time with our spouse every day, but we are wrong. One day they will be gone too. When you read this, please go tell your spouse that you love him/her and he or she is the best thing that you ever had in your life.

I have picked out some of the more life reflecting articles of the CAREYOURPRESENT series. Do read them:

• The Best Advice to Parents and Child
• What if Later never come?
• What will you bring with you on your last day on Earth?
• Time is the ultimate currency, not money
• Our Life only have 5 short Days – we should live the best for every day
• Truly understand Living in the Moment now
• 11 Important Unexpected Life and Money lessons to learn from Your Children
• The days are long but the years are short
• Ditch your mobile phone to build real life
• Careyourpresent: Time is the most important
• Careyourpresent: What is your purpose of life?
• Careyourpresent : Greatest Regrets in life
• Careyourpresent : You might not believe it. It’s little unexpected things that make up a real life
• Careyourpresent: Something only happen once in life, if you missed it, it’s gone forever…
• Careyourpresent : Why is Gold useful?
• Careyourpresent: Frozen. Let it go!

You can read more about my articles on Careyourpresent via the Category “Careyourpresent” or simply click “Careyourpresent” via the main menu bar.

REMEMBER:

Love your life daily.

You have one less day with your spouse, parents, children and yourself.

Time is ticking away.

For each passing day,

Enjoy and Treasure your Life!

For those who are interested in regular updates of my articles, please join the others to sign up for my free newsletter to has my newest blogposts sent to your mailbox for free!

For real time exclusive updates on market news/life (especially Crypto markets where the news move fast, important news will be shared directly via tweets or telegrams), do also join the platforms below and engage with other like-minded people!

• Telegram Group (Chat with me and other like minded people!)
• Telegram Channel (Get the latest updates on the markets/life!)
• Twitter
• Facebook
• RSS Feed

You may also contact me via [email protected].

If you’re looking referral codes, do check out my referral and ebook page. Give it a try and who knows? You might end up loving these platforms! To be absolutely fair to all the readers, I am definitely using all these companies and they are useful to me! Likely will be useful to you too!

At the same referral and ebook page, you can also download my free ebooks and other free resources.

For quick references to these resources, you can see below.

• Ebooks and other useful resources on enhancing productivity (Investment, Excel, Notion etc). Currently most of it are free at this moment (subject to change).
• WeBull: A powerful brokerage with nice free welcome gift. You can refer to my guide here on how to signup! 4 Simple step only! Click here to register a new account!
• MoneyOwl: You can use this 6SHU-93MC to get free grab vouchers and highly safe liquid cash fund account.
• Trust Bank – You will enjoy free FairPrice E-Voucher referral if you sign up via my referral code KNDBPEPT. Simply download the Trust Bank SG App on the App Store or Google Play Store. Tap on “Use referral code” immediately after you start the app and key in: KNDBPEPT
• FSMOne: P0413007. Good account to keep liquid cash in autosweep and to purchase investment at low fee.
• Hostinger: You can use this link for hosting your new website. 20% off hosting!
• Crypto.com: Use my referral link https://crypto.com/app/h92xdfarkq to sign up for Crypto.com and we both get $25 USD 🙂

In our modern quest for happiness, we often search outside ourselves—seeking fulfillment in wealth, status, and external validation. Yet, sometimes the very source of joy lies within us, patiently waiting to be discovered.

I came across these two timeless stories that illustrate this beautifully: the story of the beggar and the story of the king. Let me share with you and hope that you will gain some insights of life.

The Begger

This story is in the The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle:

A beggar had been sitting by the side of a road for over thirty years. One day a stranger walked by.

“Spare some change?” mumbled the beggar, mechanically holding out his old baseball cap.

“I have nothing to give you,” said the stranger. Then he asked, “What’s that you’re sitting on?”

“Nothing,” replied the beggar. “Just an old box. I’ve been sitting on it for as long as I can remember.”

“Ever looked inside?” asked the stranger.

“No,” said the beggar. “What’s the point? There’s nothing in there.”

“Have a look inside,” insisted the stranger.

The beggar managed to pry open the lid. With astonishment, disbelief, and elation, he saw that the box was filled with gold.

Tolle then explains that this story symbolizes how people often search externally for fulfillment, unaware of the vast riches—peace, joy, and love—that already exist within them. The key to discovering this “gold” is to turn inward and be fully present in the Now.

The Powerful King

I came across this story from somewhere in the internet.

Once upon a time in a grand kingdom, there lived a king who seemingly had everything: vast wealth, boundless fame, and a loving family. Yet despite his splendid palace, glittering treasures, and the adoration of his people, the king’s heart was filled with an unshakable emptiness. No matter how many feasts he held or how many honors were bestowed upon him, satisfaction always eluded him.

One day, overwhelmed by his inner turmoil, the king knelt before the heavens and cried out, “Oh, God, why am I not happy? I have it all—wealth, power, love—but my heart remains restless. Tell me, what must I do to find true happiness?”

For many days he waited for an answer. But instead of words or signs, a silent, inexplicable judgment unfolded. In a single, unfathomable moment, everything the king cherished was taken from him. His majestic palace, his glittering treasures, and even the presence of his beloved family vanished, leaving him destitute and alone. For one long week, the king wandered his desolate kingdom as a humble beggar, stripped of all the trappings that had once defined him.

During that painful week, the king experienced the true depths of loss and loneliness. Deprived of his familiar comforts and the warm embrace of loved ones, he was forced to confront the raw reality of his existence. In his suffering, he began to see the beauty of what he had once taken for granted. The absence of his riches and status revealed the true value of love, kindness, and the simple joys of life—things that no wealth could ever buy.

Then, as suddenly as it had been taken, everything was restored. The palace reappeared, the treasures returned, and his family stood by his side once more. But the king was not the same man who had lost it all. Having known the bitter taste of deprivation, he now welcomed every possession and every loving embrace with deep gratitude. In that moment, he realized that true happiness had always been a matter of perspective—rooted in appreciation for what one already has rather than in the endless pursuit of more.

From that day forward, the king ruled his kingdom not only with power but with wisdom and humility, ever mindful that the most precious gifts in life are those we cherish with gratitude.

---

This reminds us that sometimes it takes losing everything to truly understand the value of what we already have.

What Can We Learn from these stories?

Both of these stories remind us that the treasures we seek are not hidden in distant places or locked away in external achievements—they reside within us.

1. Inner Richness Over External Accumulation
The beggar’s box of gold symbolizes the vast inner resources we all possess—peace, joy, and fulfillment. Yet, like the beggar who never looked inside his box, many of us neglect our inner world, searching instead for happiness in external circumstances. True contentment comes from recognizing and nurturing our internal wealth.

2. The Power of Gratitude
The king’s transformation is a testament to the power of gratitude. Sometimes, it takes losing what we think we need to truly appreciate its value. When we learn to see our blessings and cherish them, even the simplest aspects of life can bring immense joy.

3. The Journey Inward
Both stories encourage us to turn our attention inward. Rather than constantly chasing after more—more money, more success, more validation—we can cultivate inner awareness. Practices like mindfulness, meditation, or even quiet reflection can help us connect with our inner selves, revealing the hidden treasures we already possess.

4. Embracing the Present Moment
Often, we’re so caught up in what we lack or what we aspire to have that we miss the beauty of the present moment. Both parables remind us that happiness is not something to be acquired in the future; it’s a state of being available right now, if only we choose to look within.

Remember this please

These two stories teach a profound lesson: what gives you happiness is already within you. Instead of perpetually searching outside for fulfillment, we must look inward to discover the true gold that lies at the heart of our being. By cultivating inner awareness and gratitude, we can transform our perspective and experience a deeper, more lasting joy.

Remember, the journey to happiness doesn’t always require change in your external world—it often begins with a simple shift in how you view yourself and the present moment. Embrace your inner treasures, and you may find that the riches you’ve been seeking were with you all along.

Good articles that you should read!

People are drawn to dividend investing.

Why? Firstly, dividends provide a regular stream of income, allowing investors to receive a portion of the company’s profits on a periodic basis. This can be particularly attractive for individuals seeking consistent cash flow or looking to supplement their existing income. Additionally, dividend investing is often viewed as a more stable and predictable investment strategy compared to relying solely on capital appreciation.

I always write and share articles, especially on dividends which many people love them. Do read them!

• Simplified Guide to the Key Gist of Grant of Probate and Estate Planning
• Cheapest and best way to trade Singapore Stocks with CDP
• Mastering Dividend Investing: 5 Evergreen Investment Principles
• Unlock Lucrative Returns with IAPD: A High-Yield ETF Providing 7% Annual Yield and Quarterly Payouts
• Unlock Lucrative Returns with SDIV: A High-Yield ETF Providing 11% Annual Yield and Monthly Payouts
• If I am a dividend investor, this is what I would do….
• 7 Things to consider before buy a dividend stock
• 4 Dividend ETFs that can let you sleep well even in the scary bear market
• 5 Best Counters for Passive Dividend Investing
• The Three MOST Important Traits of an Investor
• What is the best investment strategy in the world?
• Ultimate Strategy of buying REITS: XXX instead of X000?
• Ultimate Free 2 Days Reit MasterClass: Exclusive at Careyourpresent.com only!

Alternatively, you can go the right side of my page, there is a search bar where you can simply search “dividend” to see all my articles related to dividends!

Of course, you can search for other things that would interest you such as “Careyourpresent”, “Reits”, “Side Hustles”, “Fixed Incomes”, “Savings” etc.

CAREYOURPRESENT

Money just buy you the chance of freedom.

When you are young and working, you exchange time for money. When you are old, you can have lots of money but you can’t buy time back, especially the things that you have missed while busying striking out in career. Of course, if you love your career, and consciously know that you are missing out the first time your child walk or talk, that’s ok, but if you are the other spectrum, please do something about it.

Your kids grew up and they no longer need you to accompany them. They no longer want to sit on your lap to share/do things with you…all these time you spent in your 9 to 6 or even longer cubicles…can the money that you have earned by you back these?

We always thought we have more time with our old parents, but we are wrong. Time with them is ticking away every day. One day it will suddenly be gone. There is no regret medicine, no reset in time. Gone is gone and cannot come back. No matter you are billionaires or millionaires, you cannot reset this.

We always thought that we have more time with our spouse every day, but we are wrong. One day they will be gone too. When you read this, please go tell your spouse that you love him/her and he or she is the best thing that you ever had in your life.

I have picked out some of the more life reflecting articles of the CAREYOURPRESENT series. Do read them:

• The Best Advice to Parents and Child
• What if Later never come?
• What will you bring with you on your last day on Earth?
• Time is the ultimate currency, not money
• Our Life only have 5 short Days – we should live the best for every day
• Truly understand Living in the Moment now
• 11 Important Unexpected Life and Money lessons to learn from Your Children
• The days are long but the years are short
• Ditch your mobile phone to build real life
• Careyourpresent: Time is the most important
• Careyourpresent: What is your purpose of life?
• Careyourpresent : Greatest Regrets in life
• Careyourpresent : You might not believe it. It’s little unexpected things that make up a real life
• Careyourpresent: Something only happen once in life, if you missed it, it’s gone forever…
• Careyourpresent : Why is Gold useful?
• Careyourpresent: Frozen. Let it go!

You can read more about my articles on Careyourpresent via the Category “Careyourpresent” or simply click “Careyourpresent” via the main menu bar.

REMEMBER:

Love your life daily.

You have one less day with your spouse, parents, children and yourself.

Time is ticking away.

For each passing day,

Enjoy and Treasure your Life!

For those who are interested in regular updates of my articles, please join the others to sign up for my free newsletter to has my newest blogposts sent to your mailbox for free!

For real time exclusive updates on market news/life (especially Crypto markets where the news move fast, important news will be shared directly via tweets or telegrams), do also join the platforms below and engage with other like-minded people!

• Telegram Group (Chat with me and other like minded people!)
• Telegram Channel (Get the latest updates on the markets/life!)
• Twitter
• Facebook
• RSS Feed

You may also contact me via [email protected].

If you’re looking referral codes, do check out my referral and ebook page. Give it a try and who knows? You might end up loving these platforms! To be absolutely fair to all the readers, I am definitely using all these companies and they are useful to me! Likely will be useful to you too!

At the same referral and ebook page, you can also download my free ebooks and other free resources.

For quick references to these resources, you can see below.

• Ebooks and other useful resources on enhancing productivity (Investment, Excel, Notion etc). Currently most of it are free at this moment (subject to change).
• WeBull: A powerful brokerage with nice free welcome gift. You can refer to my guide here on how to signup! 4 Simple step only! Click here to register a new account!
• MoneyOwl: You can use this 6SHU-93MC to get free grab vouchers and highly safe liquid cash fund account.
• Trust Bank – You will enjoy free FairPrice E-Voucher referral if you sign up via my referral code KNDBPEPT. Simply download the Trust Bank SG App on the App Store or Google Play Store. Tap on “Use referral code” immediately after you start the app and key in: KNDBPEPT
• FSMOne: P0413007. Good account to keep liquid cash in autosweep and to purchase investment at low fee.
• Hostinger: You can use this link for hosting your new website. 20% off hosting!
• Crypto.com: Use my referral link https://crypto.com/app/h92xdfarkq to sign up for Crypto.com and we both get $25 USD 🙂

Recently I have read a book that resonate with my blog CARE YOUR PRESENT. This is a state of mind which is very difficult for most to achieve.

Many of us are not focusing on the present.

While you are eating, you are thinking of playing; while you are playing, you are thinking of work; while you are working, you are thinking of eating and so fro. One is never in the present, your minds always wonder to the past that would never come back and the future which is beyond your control.

Since you can’t change the past and worrying can’t prevent future for happening, why not be present? Eventually future will become present, so why keep thinking of future?

This state of mind being in present, the Power of Now is very hard to achieve for many of us especially in this new world where there are so many distraction.

This book is The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.

One key take away from this book is, clear your mind, focus on your breathing, yourself, your inner self, strip off all your other identities that are not self. Not easy, but practice it as often as you could, find your inner peace.

Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now is a transformative book that teaches readers how to detach from their mind’s constant chatter and embrace the present moment. By letting go of past regrets and future anxieties, individuals can experience inner peace, mindfulness, and true happiness.

1. The Present Moment is All That Exists

Key Idea:

Tolle emphasizes that life only happens in the present moment, yet most people live in their thoughts—either dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. He argues that true peace and happiness can only be found when we bring our full attention to the “Now.”

Why We Struggle to Stay Present:

• The mind is constantly active, jumping between thoughts, memories, and future scenarios.
• People often attach their happiness to external conditions, believing that “I’ll be happy when…” instead of appreciating the moment.
• Society encourages goal-setting and future planning, making it easy to lose touch with the present.

How to Overcome This:

• Observe your thoughts instead of engaging with them. Recognizing that your mind is drifting allows you to refocus on the Now.
• Practice deep awareness during everyday activities—whether eating, walking, or washing dishes, be fully present.
• Use your senses to anchor yourself. Feel your breath, listen to surrounding sounds, and observe your surroundings without labeling them.

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2. The Ego and the “Pain Body”

Key Idea:

Tolle describes the ego as the false self—the identity we build based on our past experiences, beliefs, and attachments. The ego keeps us trapped in thought patterns that reinforce suffering and separation from the present.

The Role of the Ego:

• The ego thrives on identification with thoughts, constantly replaying past events or imagining future scenarios.
• It seeks validation, making people fear judgment or crave external approval.
• The ego feeds on conflict, keeping people attached to resentment, grievances, and comparisons.

The “Pain Body”:

• The pain body is an accumulation of unresolved emotional pain from past experiences.
• It gets triggered in certain situations, leading to overreactions, emotional suffering, and negativity.
• The more we identify with our pain, the stronger it becomes.

How to Free Yourself from the Ego and Pain Body:

• Observe your thoughts and emotions without judgment—don’t resist them, just acknowledge them.
• Detach from identity-based thinking—recognize that thoughts are just mental events, not reality.
• Shift focus to the Now—instead of dwelling on past pain or future worries, focus on the present.

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3. Shifting from Thinking to Being

Key Idea:

Instead of being trapped in thought, Tolle encourages readers to step into pure awareness—a state of being rather than thinking.

Why This Matters:

• The constant stream of thoughts creates mental noise, preventing people from experiencing inner peace.
• Over-identification with thoughts leads to stress, anxiety, and dissatisfaction.
• True joy is found in stillness—not in achieving, possessing, or doing, but in simply being.

Practical Ways to Shift into Being:

• Practice stillness and silence—set aside time daily to sit quietly and observe your mind.
• Focus on your breath—conscious breathing brings attention back to the present moment.
• Recognize the “space” between thoughts—noticing the gaps between thoughts creates a sense of awareness beyond thinking.

---

4. Mindfulness and Meditation

Key Idea:

Tolle introduces meditation as a tool for deepening presence and freeing oneself from mind-made suffering.

Mindfulness Practices in Daily Life:

• Conscious breathing—Pay attention to each breath to stay present.
• Body awareness—Regularly check in with your body to feel its energy and presence.
• Deep listening—Give full attention when someone is speaking, rather than preparing your response.

How Meditation Helps:

• Quiets the mind, reducing stress and anxiety.
• Increases self-awareness, helping you recognize and detach from negative thought patterns.
• Brings a sense of inner peace, allowing you to experience life with more clarity and joy.

Final Key Takeaways: Embracing the Now

The main lesson of The Power of Now is simple yet profound: You are not your thoughts. True freedom comes from stepping out of the mind’s grip and living fully in the present.

Key Steps to Practice Daily:

✅ Pause and observe your thoughts—don’t get caught in them.
✅ Use your senses to ground yourself in the Now.
✅ Let go of past regrets and future worries—they only exist in your mind.
✅ Be fully present in daily activities—whether eating, walking, or talking.
✅ Practice silence and stillness—this cultivates deep awareness.

By applying these principles, hopefully one can unlock inner peace, reduce stress, and experience life more fully.

Not easy, but please try.

Good articles that you should read!

People are drawn to dividend investing.

Why? Firstly, dividends provide a regular stream of income, allowing investors to receive a portion of the company’s profits on a periodic basis. This can be particularly attractive for individuals seeking consistent cash flow or looking to supplement their existing income. Additionally, dividend investing is often viewed as a more stable and predictable investment strategy compared to relying solely on capital appreciation.

I always write and share articles, especially on dividends which many people love them. Do read them!

• Simplified Guide to the Key Gist of Grant of Probate and Estate Planning
• Cheapest and best way to trade Singapore Stocks with CDP
• Mastering Dividend Investing: 5 Evergreen Investment Principles
• Unlock Lucrative Returns with IAPD: A High-Yield ETF Providing 7% Annual Yield and Quarterly Payouts
• Unlock Lucrative Returns with SDIV: A High-Yield ETF Providing 11% Annual Yield and Monthly Payouts
• If I am a dividend investor, this is what I would do….
• 7 Things to consider before buy a dividend stock
• 4 Dividend ETFs that can let you sleep well even in the scary bear market
• 5 Best Counters for Passive Dividend Investing
• The Three MOST Important Traits of an Investor
• What is the best investment strategy in the world?
• Ultimate Strategy of buying REITS: XXX instead of X000?
• Ultimate Free 2 Days Reit MasterClass: Exclusive at Careyourpresent.com only!

Alternatively, you can go the right side of my page, there is a search bar where you can simply search “dividend” to see all my articles related to dividends!

Of course, you can search for other things that would interest you such as “Careyourpresent”, “Reits”, “Side Hustles”, “Fixed Incomes”, “Savings” etc.

CAREYOURPRESENT

Money just buy you the chance of freedom.

When you are young and working, you exchange time for money. When you are old, you can have lots of money but you can’t buy time back, especially the things that you have missed while busying striking out in career. Of course, if you love your career, and consciously know that you are missing out the first time your child walk or talk, that’s ok, but if you are the other spectrum, please do something about it.

Your kids grew up and they no longer need you to accompany them. They no longer want to sit on your lap to share/do things with you…all these time you spent in your 9 to 6 or even longer cubicles…can the money that you have earned by you back these?

We always thought we have more time with our old parents, but we are wrong. Time with them is ticking away every day. One day it will suddenly be gone. There is no regret medicine, no reset in time. Gone is gone and cannot come back. No matter you are billionaires or millionaires, you cannot reset this.

We always thought that we have more time with our spouse every day, but we are wrong. One day they will be gone too. When you read this, please go tell your spouse that you love him/her and he or she is the best thing that you ever had in your life.

I have picked out some of the more life reflecting articles of the CAREYOURPRESENT series. Do read them:

• The Best Advice to Parents and Child
• What if Later never come?
• What will you bring with you on your last day on Earth?
• Time is the ultimate currency, not money
• Our Life only have 5 short Days – we should live the best for every day
• Truly understand Living in the Moment now
• 11 Important Unexpected Life and Money lessons to learn from Your Children
• The days are long but the years are short
• Ditch your mobile phone to build real life
• Careyourpresent: Time is the most important
• Careyourpresent: What is your purpose of life?
• Careyourpresent : Greatest Regrets in life
• Careyourpresent : You might not believe it. It’s little unexpected things that make up a real life
• Careyourpresent: Something only happen once in life, if you missed it, it’s gone forever…
• Careyourpresent : Why is Gold useful?
• Careyourpresent: Frozen. Let it go!

You can read more about my articles on Careyourpresent via the Category “Careyourpresent” or simply click “Careyourpresent” via the main menu bar.

REMEMBER:

Love your life daily.

You have one less day with your spouse, parents, children and yourself.

Time is ticking away.

For each passing day,

Enjoy and Treasure your Life!

For those who are interested in regular updates of my articles, please join the others to sign up for my free newsletter to has my newest blogposts sent to your mailbox for free!

For real time exclusive updates on market news/life (especially Crypto markets where the news move fast, important news will be shared directly via tweets or telegrams), do also join the platforms below and engage with other like-minded people!

• Telegram Group (Chat with me and other like minded people!)
• Telegram Channel (Get the latest updates on the markets/life!)
• Twitter
• Facebook
• RSS Feed

You may also contact me via [email protected].

If you’re looking referral codes, do check out my referral and ebook page. Give it a try and who knows? You might end up loving these platforms! To be absolutely fair to all the readers, I am definitely using all these companies and they are useful to me! Likely will be useful to you too!

At the same referral and ebook page, you can also download my free ebooks and other free resources.

For quick references to these resources, you can see below.

• Ebooks and other useful resources on enhancing productivity (Investment, Excel, Notion etc). Currently most of it are free at this moment (subject to change).
• WeBull: A powerful brokerage with nice free welcome gift. You can refer to my guide here on how to signup! 4 Simple step only! Click here to register a new account!
• MoneyOwl: You can use this 6SHU-93MC to get free grab vouchers and highly safe liquid cash fund account.
• Trust Bank – You will enjoy free FairPrice E-Voucher referral if you sign up via my referral code KNDBPEPT. Simply download the Trust Bank SG App on the App Store or Google Play Store. Tap on “Use referral code” immediately after you start the app and key in: KNDBPEPT
• FSMOne: P0413007. Good account to keep liquid cash in autosweep and to purchase investment at low fee.
• Hostinger: You can use this link for hosting your new website. 20% off hosting!
• Crypto.com: Use my referral link https://crypto.com/app/h92xdfarkq to sign up for Crypto.com and we both get $25 USD 🙂

It’s always the little things that makes life happy.

It’s always the little things that makes life happy!

These few days are Chinese New Year, while we are busy visiting other houses, my kids spent some time meaningful in the night to do up videos! Hope that you will enjoy it!

Little joy always makes life happier!

Little achievement made her so proud!! They made YouTube Videos and I have uploaded into my YouTube Channel!

LEGO Lamborghini

As an avid hobbyist for LEGO, he owned many Legos set as well as many LEGO raw building blocks!. He always surprised us by just building some LEGO sets from scratch (just think through his brain, visualized and make it), which he did for this Lamborghini! He built this on first day of Chinese New Year on 29 January 2025 when he is only 9 years old!

Old Memories are always Fonding

I went to browse my old videos in another account and realized that we actually made some old videos too when they were younger!

This is the first video made by my boy on 12 May 2021. He was only 6 years old! Time Flies!

This is the 2nd video was made by my boy on 20 Jul 2021. 3 Years ago, while he was 6 years old! Time really files~!

Good articles that you should read!

People are drawn to dividend investing.

Why? Firstly, dividends provide a regular stream of income, allowing investors to receive a portion of the company’s profits on a periodic basis. This can be particularly attractive for individuals seeking consistent cash flow or looking to supplement their existing income. Additionally, dividend investing is often viewed as a more stable and predictable investment strategy compared to relying solely on capital appreciation.

I always write and share articles, especially on dividends which many people love them. Do read them!

• Simplified Guide to the Key Gist of Grant of Probate and Estate Planning
• Cheapest and best way to trade Singapore Stocks with CDP
• Mastering Dividend Investing: 5 Evergreen Investment Principles
• Unlock Lucrative Returns with IAPD: A High-Yield ETF Providing 7% Annual Yield and Quarterly Payouts
• Unlock Lucrative Returns with SDIV: A High-Yield ETF Providing 11% Annual Yield and Monthly Payouts
• If I am a dividend investor, this is what I would do….
• 7 Things to consider before buy a dividend stock
• 4 Dividend ETFs that can let you sleep well even in the scary bear market
• 5 Best Counters for Passive Dividend Investing
• The Three MOST Important Traits of an Investor
• What is the best investment strategy in the world?
• Ultimate Strategy of buying REITS: XXX instead of X000?
• Ultimate Free 2 Days Reit MasterClass: Exclusive at Careyourpresent.com only!

Alternatively, you can go the right side of my page, there is a search bar where you can simply search “dividend” to see all my articles related to dividends!

Of course, you can search for other things that would interest you such as “Careyourpresent”, “Reits”, “Side Hustles”, “Fixed Incomes”, “Savings” etc.

CAREYOURPRESENT

Money just buy you the chance of freedom.

When you are young and working, you exchange time for money. When you are old, you can have lots of money but you can’t buy time back, especially the things that you have missed while busying striking out in career. Of course, if you love your career, and consciously know that you are missing out the first time your child walk or talk, that’s ok, but if you are the other spectrum, please do something about it.

Your kids grew up and they no longer need you to accompany them. They no longer want to sit on your lap to share/do things with you…all these time you spent in your 9 to 6 or even longer cubicles…can the money that you have earned by you back these?

We always thought we have more time with our old parents, but we are wrong. Time with them is ticking away every day. One day it will suddenly be gone. There is no regret medicine, no reset in time. Gone is gone and cannot come back. No matter you are billionaires or millionaires, you cannot reset this.

We always thought that we have more time with our spouse every day, but we are wrong. One day they will be gone too. When you read this, please go tell your spouse that you love him/her and he or she is the best thing that you ever had in your life.

I have picked out some of the more life reflecting articles of the CAREYOURPRESENT series. Do read them:

• The Best Advice to Parents and Child
• What if Later never come?
• What will you bring with you on your last day on Earth?
• Time is the ultimate currency, not money
• Our Life only have 5 short Days – we should live the best for every day
• Truly understand Living in the Moment now
• 11 Important Unexpected Life and Money lessons to learn from Your Children
• The days are long but the years are short
• Ditch your mobile phone to build real life
• Careyourpresent: Time is the most important
• Careyourpresent: What is your purpose of life?
• Careyourpresent : Greatest Regrets in life
• Careyourpresent : You might not believe it. It’s little unexpected things that make up a real life
• Careyourpresent: Something only happen once in life, if you missed it, it’s gone forever…
• Careyourpresent : Why is Gold useful?
• Careyourpresent: Frozen. Let it go!

You can read more about my articles on Careyourpresent via the Category “Careyourpresent” or simply click “Careyourpresent” via the main menu bar.

REMEMBER:

Love your life daily.

You have one less day with your spouse, parents, children and yourself.

Time is ticking away.

For each passing day,

Enjoy and Treasure your Life!

For those who are interested in regular updates of my articles, please join the others to sign up for my free newsletter to has my newest blogposts sent to your mailbox for free!

For real time exclusive updates on market news/life (especially Crypto markets where the news move fast, important news will be shared directly via tweets or telegrams), do also join the platforms below and engage with other like-minded people!

• Telegram Group (Chat with me and other like minded people!)
• Telegram Channel (Get the latest updates on the markets/life!)
• Twitter
• Facebook
• RSS Feed

You may also contact me via [email protected].

If you’re looking referral codes, do check out my referral and ebook page. Give it a try and who knows? You might end up loving these platforms! To be absolutely fair to all the readers, I am definitely using all these companies and they are useful to me! Likely will be useful to you too!

At the same referral and ebook page, you can also download my free ebooks and other free resources.

For quick references to these resources, you can see below.

• Ebooks and other useful resources on enhancing productivity (Investment, Excel, Notion etc). Currently most of it are free at this moment (subject to change).
• WeBull: A powerful brokerage with nice free welcome gift. You can refer to my guide here on how to signup! 4 Simple step only! Click here to register a new account!
• MoneyOwl: You can use this 6SHU-93MC to get free grab vouchers and highly safe liquid cash fund account.
• Trust Bank – You will enjoy free FairPrice E-Voucher referral if you sign up via my referral code KNDBPEPT. Simply download the Trust Bank SG App on the App Store or Google Play Store. Tap on “Use referral code” immediately after you start the app and key in: KNDBPEPT
• FSMOne: P0413007. Good account to keep liquid cash in autosweep and to purchase investment at low fee.
• Hostinger: You can use this link for hosting your new website. 20% off hosting!
• Crypto.com: Use my referral link https://crypto.com/app/h92xdfarkq to sign up for Crypto.com and we both get $25 USD 🙂