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. 
​

What's happening in US campus colleges these days is total madness.

I understand the emotionality that comes with seeing the suffering of the Palestinians in Gaza every day. 

But I don't understand the violence and resorting to intimidation, threats, and criminal behavior associated with these protests.

They demanded so the whole world had to stop and revise their ways. What on earth is this?

This shows that the higher education institutions are steeped in the mediocre ideology but not really teaching anything to these young adults that will make them thrive in the workplace of the future and prepare them for life as good citizens of their countries.

I am appalled at the reticence and lack of moral resolve by college administrations to address these issues, allowing it to fester and escalate to criminal behavior which would then entail a different public order approach.

With all the monies for tents, teargas, and plywood purchased by these protesters, these could have been aids that could go directly to the citizens of Gaza. They need action than political statements and posturing. 

I am never a fan of protest movements. It had done nothing to resolve intractable societal issues and those past Occupy, BLM movements did not achieve any substantial policy and political reforms than to sow divisions and polarizations that political parties and professional agitators take advantage of. 

Protesting for a certain cause or concern and raising that to authorities that could address these issues are all part of a democratic exercise. However, if you are protesting the Hamas-Israel War to your municipal and county councils, this is like barking on the wrong side of the tree. Just google the lady who threatened a council and was put in jail. 

Despite this, I still believe in peaceful dialogue and debates that are meant to freely discuss these issues without recriminations on those parties who want to do this. Sadly, those in democratic countries take this for granted and exploit it for their own agenda. In totalitarian societies, freedom of speech and assembly is often prohibited and those who attempt to do that will meet draconian punishments or even death. 

Just remember that for a second.