Got a week off from school, did a review on the dividend payout of the STI components at current price. At indicative 12 mth yield hovering above 3% for many, was wondering whether it is time to pick up some stocks. A few months back an ex-colleague was mentioning the index could well touch 2600. "Aiyo, touch wood" was my response. Now at 2670, it is not unthinkable, maybe can be worse.
Over dinner, my son told me he could remember I used to come home and repeatedly exclaimed Greenspan's favourite phrase "Irrational Exuberance! Irrational Exuberance!". I could recall those days when I thought the runaway prices of some stocks was irrational. I used to acquire only stocks that paid good dividends. At those heady prices, the percentage of return from dividend would have dropped substantially unless earnings grew in the same momentum as the prices. So on days when I felt more rational and less greedy, I sold some only to watch the price ran up and up and regretted again and again. Can you believe it prices have now fallen to below the very first level of "regrettable" sales.
Now we are at the other spectrum, some stocks are paying fabulous dividends.Ok if we go defensive and consider for example StarHub, the indicative 12 month yield is 6.4% or SPH the indicative yield is 6.5%. But now the sentiment is so bad and the exact reverse is happening, i.e. every time you think you are rational and start buying, you watch the prices go down further and you regret. Going by the same pattern of human behaviour, I will stop buying. However if I am suppose to learn from history, I will one day also regret not trusting my rationale. So, dilemma, dilemma.
Watching CNBC provided some clues though. One analyst (never mind who, they are all wrong anyway) says don't go all out. Go cost averaging, i.e. nibble at various levels. Hmmm....I like his advice, suits me fine. Why? Because now that I don't work I can only NIBBLE anyway.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Signs of Burnout
Since I am doing some research and writing an essay on burnout prevention for counsellors and caregiving professionals, thought it may be useful to alert people on the signs of burnout which I believe is common across a wide range of jobs.
Burnout may be caused by prolonged stress, but it isn’t the same as too much stress. Stress occurs when there is great demand on oneself physically and psychologically. Stressed people can still imagine that they can be better when everything is under control. Burnout, on the other hand, is about not enough. Typical signs include feeling empty and lack of motivation. People experiencing burnout often don’t see any hope of positive change in their situations. ( Jaffe-Gill et al 2007 Signs and Symptoms of Burnout, Retrieved Aug 20, 2008 from Help Guide Mental Health ).
STRESS VERSUS BURNOUT
STRESS characterized by over engagement vs BURNOUT characterized by disengagement
Emotions are over-reactive vs Emotions are blunted
Produces urgency and hyperactivity vs Produces helplessness and hopelessness
Loss of energy vs Loss of motivation, ideals, and hope
Leads to anxiety disorders vs Leads to detachment and depression
Primary damage is physical vs Primary damage is emotional
May kill you prematurely vs May make life seem not worth living
Burnout may be caused by prolonged stress, but it isn’t the same as too much stress. Stress occurs when there is great demand on oneself physically and psychologically. Stressed people can still imagine that they can be better when everything is under control. Burnout, on the other hand, is about not enough. Typical signs include feeling empty and lack of motivation. People experiencing burnout often don’t see any hope of positive change in their situations. ( Jaffe-Gill et al 2007 Signs and Symptoms of Burnout, Retrieved Aug 20, 2008 from Help Guide Mental Health ).
STRESS VERSUS BURNOUT
STRESS characterized by over engagement vs BURNOUT characterized by disengagement
Emotions are over-reactive vs Emotions are blunted
Produces urgency and hyperactivity vs Produces helplessness and hopelessness
Loss of energy vs Loss of motivation, ideals, and hope
Leads to anxiety disorders vs Leads to detachment and depression
Primary damage is physical vs Primary damage is emotional
May kill you prematurely vs May make life seem not worth living
Friday, August 22, 2008
That Red Capsicum
"When the part is sick, it seeks reunion with the whole"- Christmas Humphreys
If only at times we can still our mind and accept the wrath of that wild horse;
And let it settle for the night.
With the first light of the next dawn, it will be quietly resting in the barn.
Yesterday morning I received shocking news about the sudden demise of my ex-colleague.
She was 51. Twenty years back we were part of a lunch group of 6 to 8 accountants, and had spent much time laughing, gossiping about bosses and sharing about children, husband etc etc, until we had to go separate paths. That comradeship lives on and I believe is etched in our memory forever.
Needless to say the whole of yesterday found me in a sad and pensive mood. Whilst preparing for dinner,I took out a red capsicum from the fridge. Just as I was about to wash it, I suddenly notice its freshness and luscious colour, and I gave it few strokes and say to myself "Hey, this is so fresh". And then my thoughts go "She will never get to feel a capsicum again". That instance I thought how lucky I was to be able to enjoy the capsicum.
Does it always need something like this to happen to make us "live"? Why is stilling our mind to take in the moment so difficult? If only we can stand back and take in more of the world and not be so overwhelmed by our thoughts and feelings. I don't know, does it help? I wonder! But maybe I should practise more to see whether it works well that way.
If only at times we can still our mind and accept the wrath of that wild horse;
And let it settle for the night.
With the first light of the next dawn, it will be quietly resting in the barn.
Yesterday morning I received shocking news about the sudden demise of my ex-colleague.
She was 51. Twenty years back we were part of a lunch group of 6 to 8 accountants, and had spent much time laughing, gossiping about bosses and sharing about children, husband etc etc, until we had to go separate paths. That comradeship lives on and I believe is etched in our memory forever.
Needless to say the whole of yesterday found me in a sad and pensive mood. Whilst preparing for dinner,I took out a red capsicum from the fridge. Just as I was about to wash it, I suddenly notice its freshness and luscious colour, and I gave it few strokes and say to myself "Hey, this is so fresh". And then my thoughts go "She will never get to feel a capsicum again". That instance I thought how lucky I was to be able to enjoy the capsicum.
Does it always need something like this to happen to make us "live"? Why is stilling our mind to take in the moment so difficult? If only we can stand back and take in more of the world and not be so overwhelmed by our thoughts and feelings. I don't know, does it help? I wonder! But maybe I should practise more to see whether it works well that way.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
To Let Go
The following was spotted when I did research about prevention of burnout in counselling practice. I think it is equally applicable for care givers.
To Let Go is not to stop caring
It is recognizing I can't do it for someone else.
To Let Go is not to cut myself off
It is realizing I can't control another.
To Let Go is not to enable
But to allow learning from natural consequences.
To Let Go is not to fight powerlessness
But to accept that the outcome is not in my hands.
To Let Go is not to change or blame others
It is to make the most of myself.
To Let Go is not to care for, it is to care about.
To Let Go is not to fix, it is to be supportive.
To Let Go is not to judge,
It is to allow another to be a human being.
To Let Go is not to try to arrange outcomes,
But to allow others to affect their own destinies.
To Let Go is not to be protective,
It is to permit another to face their own reality.
To Let Go is not to regulate anyone,
But to strive to become what I can be.
TO LET GO IS NOT TO FEAR LESS IT IS TO LOVE MORE.
Author-unknown
To Let Go is not to stop caring
It is recognizing I can't do it for someone else.
To Let Go is not to cut myself off
It is realizing I can't control another.
To Let Go is not to enable
But to allow learning from natural consequences.
To Let Go is not to fight powerlessness
But to accept that the outcome is not in my hands.
To Let Go is not to change or blame others
It is to make the most of myself.
To Let Go is not to care for, it is to care about.
To Let Go is not to fix, it is to be supportive.
To Let Go is not to judge,
It is to allow another to be a human being.
To Let Go is not to try to arrange outcomes,
But to allow others to affect their own destinies.
To Let Go is not to be protective,
It is to permit another to face their own reality.
To Let Go is not to regulate anyone,
But to strive to become what I can be.
TO LET GO IS NOT TO FEAR LESS IT IS TO LOVE MORE.
Author-unknown
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
I was allowed to cry with my client
If you are a Christian you would say "God work in a miraculous way". But as a non Christian I just got the feeling that somehow in life we are meant for each other in some small ways and in a strange connectedness.
Last weekend my lecturer discussed grief and loss, which can be any "ruptured attachment". We broke into small groups to discuss a loss which we have encountered and to think of the resultant losses that accompany it eg. loss of hope, loss of control etc. In my small group, a participant described the loss of a family member and my lecturer happened to be with us when going round to observe. As it was quite an emotional session we actually got to witness how the lecturer handled the situation and helped my class mate processed her grief.
This week back at the school where I volunteer, the school counsellor handed me a case about a teenage girl who has some relationship problem with her mother, a widow. I thought to myself casually there may be some unresolved issue about the loss of her father, which I could then apply what I have learnt. Usually for the first session I am quite relaxed because it is more like building rapport to win the client's trust before they will open up and pour their heart.
I was quite taken aback when it took less than 10 minutes for the girl to pour out her grief over the loss of her father who passed away quite suddenly 5 years ago. I would not have known how to react if not for the example shown by my lecturer. In fact when one of my classmates asked whether it was ok if the counsellor shed tears, my lecturer commented that it shows that the counsellor cares and we are human aren't we. Thank goodness for that answer because I actually pulled a tissue and dried my eyes and said softly to my client " You really touched me". See, the girl feels so insecure because in addition to the loss, her mother also had breast cancer though now in remission.
So I used exactly the same method, said almost the same things that my lecturer did. The session lasted almost 2 hours, after which she said she had not shared so much about her sadness before. Walking home I began to feel the little things we do really affect each other; my classmate who was so brave in sharing a loss which still hurts, the lecturer in being with our group at the right moment resulting in me being taught what to say and how to help, and the girl presenting herself this week (she had turned down an earlier appointment a few months ago). I think of it as we being tiny threads in a piece of fabric.
Last weekend my lecturer discussed grief and loss, which can be any "ruptured attachment". We broke into small groups to discuss a loss which we have encountered and to think of the resultant losses that accompany it eg. loss of hope, loss of control etc. In my small group, a participant described the loss of a family member and my lecturer happened to be with us when going round to observe. As it was quite an emotional session we actually got to witness how the lecturer handled the situation and helped my class mate processed her grief.
This week back at the school where I volunteer, the school counsellor handed me a case about a teenage girl who has some relationship problem with her mother, a widow. I thought to myself casually there may be some unresolved issue about the loss of her father, which I could then apply what I have learnt. Usually for the first session I am quite relaxed because it is more like building rapport to win the client's trust before they will open up and pour their heart.
I was quite taken aback when it took less than 10 minutes for the girl to pour out her grief over the loss of her father who passed away quite suddenly 5 years ago. I would not have known how to react if not for the example shown by my lecturer. In fact when one of my classmates asked whether it was ok if the counsellor shed tears, my lecturer commented that it shows that the counsellor cares and we are human aren't we. Thank goodness for that answer because I actually pulled a tissue and dried my eyes and said softly to my client " You really touched me". See, the girl feels so insecure because in addition to the loss, her mother also had breast cancer though now in remission.
So I used exactly the same method, said almost the same things that my lecturer did. The session lasted almost 2 hours, after which she said she had not shared so much about her sadness before. Walking home I began to feel the little things we do really affect each other; my classmate who was so brave in sharing a loss which still hurts, the lecturer in being with our group at the right moment resulting in me being taught what to say and how to help, and the girl presenting herself this week (she had turned down an earlier appointment a few months ago). I think of it as we being tiny threads in a piece of fabric.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Frustrations of the wealthy and powerful
Interesting extract from article "Challenges of $600-a-session Patients" published in New York Times July 7 2008:
"It is not uncommon to find in wealthy and powerful patients an extremely low tolerance for frustration, the therapists said.
Dr. Seth Aidinoff, a NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital psychiatrist who practices on the Upper East Side and also consults for hedge funds and Wall Street firms, illustrated the consequences with the Saturday-afternoon choice faced by “your typical master of the universe,” who can either play outside with his 7-year-old or stay inside to complete a business deal on the phone.
“The phone call might involve the most important and interesting people in the world, being well compensated for his time, and the chance to handle it with A-plus skill,” Dr. Aidinoff said. “Whereas playing with his 7-year-old might be sort of boring, or unsatisfying; his son might not fully express his appreciation, or the child could even be in a bad mood. So this person might find himself terrified of spending time with his child because it’s not an activity he can control or succeed at the high level of accomplishment to which he is accustomed.”
Because so much of ordinary life is built on small failures and frustrations, therapists see among this patient group a great disenchantment. "
Read the whole article if you can afford the time.
"It is not uncommon to find in wealthy and powerful patients an extremely low tolerance for frustration, the therapists said.
Dr. Seth Aidinoff, a NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital psychiatrist who practices on the Upper East Side and also consults for hedge funds and Wall Street firms, illustrated the consequences with the Saturday-afternoon choice faced by “your typical master of the universe,” who can either play outside with his 7-year-old or stay inside to complete a business deal on the phone.
“The phone call might involve the most important and interesting people in the world, being well compensated for his time, and the chance to handle it with A-plus skill,” Dr. Aidinoff said. “Whereas playing with his 7-year-old might be sort of boring, or unsatisfying; his son might not fully express his appreciation, or the child could even be in a bad mood. So this person might find himself terrified of spending time with his child because it’s not an activity he can control or succeed at the high level of accomplishment to which he is accustomed.”
Because so much of ordinary life is built on small failures and frustrations, therapists see among this patient group a great disenchantment. "
Read the whole article if you can afford the time.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Object of desire- Instant delight
Watched the news about people queuing up to 3 days to get I-phones. A customer was visibly happy to get one after forgoing a few nights' sleep. I often wondered about how people can get so thrilled in getting their "object of desire". I started to think what is my own object of desire that could render such joy. By golly, I felt a bit embarrassed to think it could be 'money' itself. I remember being so thrilled and exhilarated during the heady, hazy, happy days of the stock market bull run, hahaha. I then psycho myself such worldly pleasures do not last. Yet, I am no saint. I am wondering now whether a person can like money and at the same time like to help people.
Counselling students can arouse feelings alternating between contentment and sadness, content when some change for the better is observed, sad when students seem so helpless in their predicament of low esteem,trapped in an unfavourable environment. I think my greatest challenge becoming a counsellor is to be less attached. My heart despairs when my young clients declare they "don't care" or they are "ok" but you can see the empty gaze in their eyes, the sense of futility. Sigh, the school counsellor whom I am assisting is thinking of quitting and changing line.
So after the counselling sessions in school, I go home, on CNBC and my mood can be lifted instantly when certain stock is doing well (of course during the recent down swings it does more dampening than lifting haha). That is exactly what I mean: money is the object of instant delight.
However deep in me I know I have to allocate more time to do the job well if counselling is the confirmed path. See, a lot more research, thought and further learning is required to improve on the skill set handling all the varied issues. This is especially so when I start my internship with a Family Service Centre end of the year.
Hence I should review my portfolio and switch to the safer and defensive stocks that do not need much monitoring. Hopefully they can bring some delight from time to time.
Counselling students can arouse feelings alternating between contentment and sadness, content when some change for the better is observed, sad when students seem so helpless in their predicament of low esteem,trapped in an unfavourable environment. I think my greatest challenge becoming a counsellor is to be less attached. My heart despairs when my young clients declare they "don't care" or they are "ok" but you can see the empty gaze in their eyes, the sense of futility. Sigh, the school counsellor whom I am assisting is thinking of quitting and changing line.
So after the counselling sessions in school, I go home, on CNBC and my mood can be lifted instantly when certain stock is doing well (of course during the recent down swings it does more dampening than lifting haha). That is exactly what I mean: money is the object of instant delight.
However deep in me I know I have to allocate more time to do the job well if counselling is the confirmed path. See, a lot more research, thought and further learning is required to improve on the skill set handling all the varied issues. This is especially so when I start my internship with a Family Service Centre end of the year.
Hence I should review my portfolio and switch to the safer and defensive stocks that do not need much monitoring. Hopefully they can bring some delight from time to time.
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