If you've been let go recently, people will say, "It's just a job, not your life. Lucky you, it could have been something else. Move on, you'll get a new one."

And then the crickets, more crickets, and more sleepless nights on what to do to pay the bills.

We don't necessarily think that the job we get is there for a lifetime, but we sure understand that there's no excuse to not have a Plan B. 

When you are down and out, nobody cares. 

You're on your own. 

But when success kicks in, either empirically or in perception, you instantly have new friends all of a sudden.

In moments when it feels like the world is crashing down, including a job loss or a future job that seems to be out of reach for the longest time. 

Take heart, have courage. 

This is the age of personal agency.

Get out of the "traditional job" box.

There are countless ways to earn income, some need an upfront cost of energy and time, and some are little things that you can start that accumulate over time. 

But you can definitely do that.

Develop your own "job" that will be financially sustainable and soul-enriching.

And as a consequence, create a new identity out of your new circumstance. 

You can practice slow living and more intentional spending.

This is not a hard and fast rule, but get yourself some grace.

Grace, my brothers and sisters, is something you need to take now with good doses.

So go out there, cheer up.

This morning when I woke up, the sun was shining as predicted. 

After a few years, we spent our summer vacation again in British Columbia, driving for 12 hours each way.

On the first day of the trip, as soon as we passed Jasper for a few hours, the town and the surrounding areas were shut down due to forest fires. We never had a clue that in a few hours, the whole town will be smouldered in fire and smoke, including the wildlife.

We took a video of our passing from the Park Gate to the National Park. Now we reminisce the beauty and majesty of the place that will never look that way again. 

I salute the men and women who risked their lives protecting the village and habitat from more destruction. If you have donated to the Jasper rescue, there's more to be done now on rehabilitation. Please consider helping in the short and long term for our national treasure and one of the world's favourite tourism destinations.

On the way home, we decided to avoid the smokey trail to Alberta from BC by taking a long and extended route but safer, less hurried, and with more scenic vistas. With bad backs and cramped legs from the long trip, we can still not complain about what happened to Jasper. 

You can never appreciate what you have until it's gone forever or damaged to the extent that will never look or function the same way. Let's join hands to rebuild it.

She just cried her heart out.

Cried lots of tears.

Not sad tears, but fear tears, overwhelm tears, frustration tears.

I was in a women's networking event hosted by a CEO of a company that's helping business women/CEOs with their digital business.

One of the attendees, just cried while talking about a podcast she had to do.

She had to plan, organize, and put on air. 

The deadline was almost there and she hadn't accomplished much.

We all put in the chat box.

We hear you.

We can relate.

We understand the same feelings as any business owner will do.

The pain of starting, overwhelm, juggling lots of things, feeling imperfect.

Feeling not-put-together and better organized.

We sent lots of 'love' icons.

I believe she cried for all of us in the room.

There was no word to express the profound effect that had on us. 

She cried for all those that are trying and tried but failed, or tried but not seeing the results immediately.

She cried for all of those in the chat room who are just waiting for that breakthrough, within grasp but still felt distant.

A few years ago, I've come to know this academic woman who is now a speaker, author, and great achiever. After her speech in a conference I attended, she said that she met Deepak Chopra and just cried on his shoulder. Like an ugly cry. 

Meltdowns will be more frequent if we keep on adding to the plate.

I observe the Pareto principle- 20% of effort will drive 80% of your results.

I go straight to the source of business.

If it's too indirect, or just a maybe, I won't do it.

That's the simple way.

Let's just do 1-2 things we are very excellent at.

Forget about the gurus who don't do what they preach. 

​Let's get back to the basic and enjoy the peace of mind and mental health.

After all, this is a marathon, not a sprint. 

And being rich is literally means being whole. 
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