Dictatorship vs Democracy

I have been thinking about Dictatorship and Democracy for some time now. Let's see the definition first.

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A dictatorship is an autocratic form of government in which the government is ruled by a dictator. It has two possible meanings: (*from Wikipedia)

• Roman dictator was a political office of the Roman Republic. Roman dictators were allocated absolute power during times of emergency. Their power was neither arbitrary or unaccountable, however, being subject to law and requiring retrospective justification. There were no such dictatorships after the beginning of the 2nd century BC, and later dictators such as Sulla and the Roman Emperors exercised power much more personally and arbitrarily.

• In contemporary usage, dictatorship refers to an autocratic form of absolute rule by leadership unrestricted by law, constitutions, or other social and political factors within the state.

Dictatorship : (*from Dictionary.com)

1. a country, government, or the form of government in which absolute power is exercised by a dictator.

2. absolute, imperious, or overbearing power or control.

3. the office or position held by a dictator.

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Democracy (literally "rule by the people", from the Greek demos, "people," and kratos, "rule") is a form of government. Today, the term democracy is often used to refer to liberal democracy, but there is no necessity that democracies be liberal (i.e. respectful of individual liberty and property) and in some cases may be illiberal democracies. There are many other varieties and the methods used to govern differ. While the term democracy is typically used in the context of a political state, the principles are also applicable to other bodies such as intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, grassroot organizations, labor unions, industry trade groups, professional bodies, and learned societies. (*from Wikipedia)

Democracy: (*from Dictionary.com)

1. government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system.

2. a state having such a form of government: The United States and Canada are democracies.

3. a state of society characterized by formal equality of rights and privileges.

4. political or social equality; democratic spirit.

5. the common people of a community as distinguished from any privileged class; the common people with respect to their political power.

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Now knowing the differences between the two different forms of ruler, this backs to my question on "How should a Leader lead?"

Should a Leader be "D" and lead by strong convictions? Or should a Leader be "S" and lead by the people's opinion?

Through my little experiences in leadership, I would say that Leaders are great and mighty people, who carry the burdens that no natural eyes and ears can see or hear. They have visions and missions and datelines to complete. Yet they also carry the burden to tend to and to assist their followers to help them reach their potential.

Leadership in any circumstances is no joking matter. To uphold justice and fairness yet making sure things go smoothly according to schedule, fighting against principalities and power not of this world, yet time is not at their side, even their own people who they serve may not understand their circumstances, which can sometimes make matter worse. Pressures are inevitable in a Leader's life. No wonder they say "It is a lonely way up."

So "How should a Leader lead?", "How should a follower follow?" I went back to look for answers in the Bible and I found it:

"Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you." ~ NKJV (1 Peter 5 : 2 - 10)

The answer I found reminded me of the first thing that God spoke to me after I was saved, He said:

"Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, And attend to your herds; For riches are not forever, Nor does a crown endure to all generations. When the hay is removed, and the tender grass shows itself, And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in, The lambs will provide your clothing, And the goats the price of a field; You shall have enough goats' milk for your food, For the food of your household, And the nourishment of your maidservants." ~ NKJV (Proverbs 27 : 23 - 27)

I guess everything is well taken care of in the hands of God...

"When leaders lead in Israel, When the people willingly offer themselves, Bless the Lord! ... My heart is with the rulers of Israel Who offered themselves willingly with the people. Bless the Lord!" ~ NKJV (Judges 5 : 2, 9)

Chinese new year

Chinese new year (CNY)... It is also the most boring time of the year... Although CNY have its meaning in its traditional celebration, I dreaded CNY every year.

Do not get me wrong... I am not an ABC... Not someone who bash traditions. In fact I find that some traditions are meaningful and to keep them you keep your roots... However, I feel that when traditions are kept for the sake of keeping, they somehow loses their favor, their original intent. Or perhaps, it is only the case for me.

CNY.. A time when families and friends get together, a time when finally everyone gets to meet everyone, a time of reunion... Ha.. Reunion can be quite disastrous sometimes.

The favourite question in CNY is always:

"When are you going to get married?"

This is when acting skills comes into play... Haha..

No... I am not afraid of the question. Neither am I avoiding it. Rather I am no where near discussing about it.

So why am I not attached you may ask?

Perhaps, I am too picky. Perhaps, like what many friends say, I have too long a checklist. Or maybe I have an unmanageable expectation.

What is the traits of a Good Girlfriend? What makes a woman The Woman behind the Man? What makes a woman a Woman?

"Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands. She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar. She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants. She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms. She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet. She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants. Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: "Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all." Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates."

Have you found your woman in your life? Sometimes they are so close you do not even realise...

Patience is also a virtue

There are always time when your mind and your heart do not agree.

Males tend to be lead by the head, and females tend to go with the heart.

I say, when that happens it is best for you to follow Sun Tzu's Art of War ~ 按兵不動.

Wait for the voice from within to prompt you. I know some of you will say that we need to move in order for the voice to guide us. Yet in battle, waiting is also a move.

Waiting is not easy. There will be times our heart will be too anxious to wait.

所谓, 凡是太急事避早竟. In between seed and harvest there is always a time factor.

Easy To Love You by Shayne Ward

Easy To Love You Lyrics by Shayne Ward

Uncomplicated, you enjoy the simple things

Don’t need no make-up you just wear what nature brings

If you could see what I see you would know you’re beautiful

＊You make it easy to love you every time you smile at me

And it’s so easy to love you girl you shine so naturally

I couldn’t even count them there’s so many ways

You make it easy to love you＊

You can’t hide it, it’s there in everything you do

You don’t see it, and that’s just why I fell for you

If you could see what I see you would know you’re beautiful

Repeat＊

You make it easy to love you

If you could see what I see you would no you’re beautiful

Repeat＊

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Fact or Fiction?

"Most People are only as intelligent as the knowledge they deem socially acceptable." ~ Wayne Thompson

I do not know how you read this quote. But it speaks exactly how I feel and it annoys me.

Think about this...

If sanity is the state of having a sound, healthy mind; free from mental derangement; having or showing reason, sound judgment, or good sense. And mentally sound is define as able to anticipate and appraise the effect of one's actions. (*Definitions taken from dictionary.com)

So in short being sane is being normal. Being normal is being like the rest of the people.

Now, my question here is: "If being sane is being normal, like the rest of the world, then, if there is a normal sane person, take him out from a normal, sane world. Put him in a world that is mad, crazy and abnormal. Now who is being sane and normal and who is being mad? Is it the sane, normal guy? Or the mad, crazy world?

The same principle work in this world we living today...

If an intelligent man being placed with unintelligent people, who deems intelligence is like them and what is socially accepted to them. That will make the real intelligent man, stupid and the real stupid people, intelligent.

For example, Albert Einstein, the genius, best known for the theory of E=MC², was deemed to be a "retarded" by the so-called intelligent at his youth, due to his delayed speech development, at the age of three. A few have speculated that Einstein had selective mutism and may have refused to speak until he could do so in complete sentences. Though this concept fits with a profile of a sensitive perfectionist (when Einstein did begin to speak, he would often softly "rehearse" what he meant to say before uttering the statement outright), it is somewhat dated insofar as selective mutism- as it is now known- is no longer considered to be a matter of willful silence: it presently refers to individuals with verbal ability who cannot speak in certain social circumstances. (Cited in Johnson, Maggie (2001). The Selective Mutism Resource Manual. Speechmark. ISBN 0-86388-280-3.) This would not apply to Einstein, who could not speak at all until the time that he did.

Could it be true that "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house."

Realities are often misted by misconceptions, and the misconceptions come by human's perceptions. And mortals being fallen creatures have darken receptions.

How well do you receive?

Younger guy, Older woman

Lately, a friend of mine ask if I would date or marry any lady who is older than me, say 4-5 years. I answered "It is different between a 15 and a 20 compared to a 60 and a 65... The age gap just gets smaller as you age..."

Strangely, I had never dated anyone younger than me. Perhaps maybe one?

Does age really matter in a relationship?

I would say, yes and no...

Well, what matters to me in a relationship? Hmm... Character matters... It is already so difficult to find someone that is interesting, meet what you are looking for and be equally yoke. Why let age stand in between the two of you?

Ok, let's be practical for a while. Age does matter in a relationship when parents are concern. At least for one, older females are more established in their career. Older woman do have a "ticking biological clock". What about having babies? How many babies do you want? All this need to be worked out and compromised.

It always takes a confident man to marry up. He got to work doubly hard to make sure that things don't stay that way. Indeed that woman do mature faster than guy, initially. However, guys do catch up. And fast. Woman on the other hand tends to slow down. A man's life starts when he is 30. I guess a woman prime age is 30. (*Defination of "Prime" may differ between individuals.)

So, should age matters in a relationship?

I do know of 2 couples with younger male counterparts, 4-5 years apart. I guess its up to the individual couples to sort things out.

Trench Buddies & Comrades-in-Arms

Recently, I was introduced to the term "Trench Buddies" recently. Interesting term I would say. It is not a common to to me, maybe to others, but not to me. Rarely use it.

Anyway, I did a Google search on "Trench Buddies". I got lots of blogs hits returns, mostly Christians' blogs that says you got to avoid "Tench Buddies" as your life-partner. I guess those are most probably from the same church writing about the same sermon in their Cell Group.

I also got hits about how husbands and wives relate themselves as "Trench Buddies". Well, I am not surprised. Married couples do go through thick and thin together. That is why they are married isn't it? And that is a never-ending process...

Now, here is a group of people advising not to be romantically involved with "Trench Buddies" and another group that describe their relationship as Comrades-in-Arms. Interesting phenomenon isn't it?

Ok... Something to ponder about... Do you rather live with someone for the rest of your life knowing that you two can stick through thick and thin? Or do you rather find a romantic life partner that is not tried and tested?

I suppose different individuals yields different results....

Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus

Why is the union between a man and a woman important? What is the big fuss about getting married? When is the right time to get married? Who is the right one to marry or be married to? How do you find the "one"?

If you are a woman, are these questions familiar to you? If you are a man and you have yet a girlfriend, my tip for you is to get the answers of the above questions, and be prepared.

Strange thing about us homosapiens is that there will be a time when one has the urge, and on the verge to merge. A inbuilt mechanism that the Creator have installed? Or a deep calling in the soul that needs to be completed?

If it is true that the woman is a part of man taken out from man, then doesn't every man needs a woman to be whole? And doesn't it make woman have the urge to make a man complete?

Yet I know of many women wanting to find a man that is already completed. Ask why single males can't compare to married or attached ones. Well, to me it seems pretty obvious.

It is not because I am a guy that is why I am defending the male species. Rather I speaks the truth.

Indeed "Men are from Mars and Women Venus", both species have long forgotten that they are different. And this difference has cause much unnecessary displeasure.

If only both Man and Woman remember that they are different, and began to understand the differences and how each species think, many marriages would be saved, many broken hearts would be prevented. And many would be long attached.

Yet many individuals are too caught up in themselves to see the Truth. No wonder they say that "The Truth will set you free".

What is the Most Important Thing in Life?

Ever wonder "What is the Most Important Thing in Life?"?

I was interested to know what are important to people in general and I did a Google Search on "Most Important Thing to a man".

Guess what? Most of the search results is "God", follow by "Sex" and "Health", and "Tv", and "Sports", not in any order.

Let's put religion aside.. For a little while... I am just wondering why no one considers a good career as the most important thing in life.

Well, for one, you spend most of your time working, and it is what pays you at the end of the month that feeds you and your family. How come no one considers that important?
For me, I guess what is important to me is a good career, a career that pays you well, that explores your potential and capability, a career that brings you satisfaction, and life long fulfilment. I am sure everyone wants that. However many people had said this to me, "That is just the ideal, it will never happen in real life... Work is work... You started out loving your job... But you end up dreading it..."

Why then is the world full of such depressing negativity mindset about work?

Maybe most people have not found their given-gifts and talents. Maybe most people just follow the crowd. Remember in the early 90's when the IT industry is booming, everyone rushed to do IT, then the bubble-tea business is doing well, everyone starts bubbling, again the government promotes biotechnology, everyone rushes to the next big thing. It is just like someone strike 4-D buying the numbers from where they thought they saw, on a Luo-han fish and the whole nation, even the surrounding countries have a booming industry selling Luo-han. I called that a Luo-han effect.

It is sad to know that people in the society have stop "thinking". They began to adopt a "Whatever that works for him will work for me" mindset. They began to become a mindless creature breathing just to find satisfaction in a "borrowed" success.

I think they missed the whole point.

Most people I know have no ambition. They just want a normal life. Decent job that pays a few thousands, comfortable, get married and have kids.

Is that what life is all about? I recon more. I want a life full of excitement. I want to live each day to the fullest. I want to maximise every resources I have. Basically I want more than what life itself can offer.

Greed? No... I am expecting more. I am expecting a purpose driven life. I want my barns to be filled with overflowing abundance. I do not just want a mediocre life. I want a life larger than itself...

Well... That is me... I always have my Dreams and Ambitions ever since I know my ABC's....

Yet there are people who just wants things to be predictable... How boring...