The Power of a Positive Workmate - IV

Alex(L), Jonathon (M), Me (R)

"Hello, I'm Sancha, and I've been with the company for the last 15 months."

"Hi, I'm Jonathon," and "I'm Alex."

Though I'm unsure how long they will stay, I'm thrilled to work with these two young gentlemen who bring diverse experiences and perspectives. We often joke that we are three brothers from different mothers.

After our brief introductions, we dove straight into work. I cautioned them about proper posture, particularly bending. As a senior in the job, I shared not only some concerns but also insights into our daily routine, timing, challenges, and the importance of self-care.

By noon, we had already bonded well, sharing our personal journeys and even talking about our love lives.

Interestingly, all three of us attend the same university—University of Canberra (UC). Jonathon is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts, Alex is majoring in Business and IT, and I'm doing postgraduate studies in IT (MITS).

What intrigued me further was when Alex asked if there are any KFC or McDonald's in Bhutan. I paused briefly to ensure I gave an accurate response.

Information I got from Google

Bhutan doesn't have either KFC or McDonald's. However, I believe they will eventually come as we continue to open up to the outside world. I hope that every Bhutanese will get to enjoy not only KFC and McDonald's but also a variety of other exciting foods like burgers and sausages.

To support my point, I mentioned the recent development of Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), a dream project of His Majesty The King of Bhutan. I believe this will make Bhutan a hotspot for international visitors, featuring modern infrastructure. This expansion will not only introduce new food options but also bring about positive changes, including shifts in mentality and attitudes towards a modern lifestyle.

Quora (Jeewan Raj), gave me this information on KFC or McDonalds

Intrigued by our earlier conversation, Alex asked another question: what is Bhutan's main food? Without hesitation, I told him it's rice and curry. I went on to explain our national dish, Ema Datshi, a stew of cheese and chili. He found it hard to believe the spiciness of the chili, which we eat as a curry, but I did my best to explain. I also mentioned Bhutan's heavy reliance on a rice-based diet and assured him that the government is working hard to diversify our food habits so future generations have a wider variety of foods to choose from, without being overly dependent on rice and curry.

Our conversation then shifted to the business, public service, and IT sectors.

Alex expressed his deep interest in entering public service, which he sees as a stable and reliable career with steady pay. Having worked in a government job in Bhutan for many years, I shared my experiences of job security. I noted how, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many private and corporate employees lost their jobs or had to survive on reduced pay, while government employees did not face such hardships.

I was particularly impressed with Jonathon's knowledge of history and politics. He seems well-versed in global affairs beyond Australia. With his keen interest in the arts, I believe he would excel in a future career as an anthropologist or archaeologist.I hope he can become an asset to his country and the world, sharing his passion for different cultures and traditions. Even as technology significantly shapes lifestyles and ways of thinking, he can still make a meaningful impact.

These two young men made me wonder why Australians are not only knowledgeable about almost everything related to cars but also well-versed in laws and policies.

Through all the talking, working, and laughing, these boys have imparted a wealth of wisdom that I will carry with me, not just in Australia but also back to Bhutan and beyond.

My King and His Camera

Source: HM's Official FB Page

Source: HM's Official FB Page

Source: HM's Official FB

The recent visit of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen, accompanied by Their Royal Highnesses Gyalsey Jigme Namgyel  and Gyalsey Ugyen Wangchuck has raised a lot of attention to Mongolia. 

coming soon....

John Murray: Brief Answers to The BIG Questions

Google

I am not surprised by John Murray's book, which serves as a tribute to the great modern scientist Stephen Hawking. What surprised me more were the profound answers to each big question, viewed from different perspectives and research angles. It truly stands out as a masterpiece of knowledge and wisdom.

As a science student with a particular interest in physics and math, I always admired Hawking's dedication and contributions, which are extraordinary and special. Since I first heard his name, I've read extensively about him. However, it shocked me to see many negative comments when he passed away, making me wonder why some people hated him and what he did wrong. I never imagined someone who spent half of his life in a wheelchair without speech could receive so much hate. I even discussed this with friends to understand why.

The book's first section reads like a biography of Stephen Hawking, covering his early life, parents, love life, children, nationality, education, college, hobbies, and interests. It was fascinating to read about both his successes and struggles and how he ultimately shaped his ideas and knowledge about black holes, nature, and science as a whole.

Learning that he was affiliated with both Oxford and Cambridge, the world's most prestigious universities, and made groundbreaking discoveries in cosmology, general relativity, gravity, black holes, and the origin of the universe was inspiring. Hawking instilled the habit of asking questions, big or small, in his children from an early age.

Despite being in a wheelchair, he pursued becoming the greatest scientist of our generation, showing us that there are endless possibilities in life. Through the book's insights, others' perspectives, the author's statements, and scientific and religious evidence, I gained a deeper understanding of the universe and the interplay between science and religion. The book made me ponder questions about God's existence and the relationship between science and religion, offering brief answers to my long-standing doubts.

Hawking was a brave and extraordinary individual who fundamentally explained the relationship between the sun, Earth, and the moon. Learning about his and Einstein's contributions, even though they never met, filled me with awe as a science student.

The book discusses complex ideas such as negative and positive energy, quantum mechanics, time-space-mass, and human survival. It highlights the complexities of the human body and offers perspectives to help us understand and relate to these concepts.

Other interesting aspects of the book include perspectives from great philosophers and scientists, from Columbus to James Watson, Robert Oppenheimer to Elon Musk, and his SpaceX and NASA missions. These fascinating details kept me glued to the book until the very end.

The final section discusses modern revolution, lifestyle, and future mindsets, addressing questions like "Will artificial intelligence outsmart us?" and "How do we shape the future?" While life is becoming easier, it is also becoming harder to live by minimal means.

The book underscores that we evolved to be smarter than our ape-like ancestors, and Einstein was smarter than his parents. There is no doubt about the wisdom and knowledge shared with us for the future of our planet. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, statistics, control theory, and neuroscience are the future, as predicted by Hawking. Our future will be a tight race between the growing power of our technology and the wisdom with which we use it. Hopefully, wisdom will prevail.

Nonetheless, the book reminds and serves as a testament to look up at the stars and not down at our feet. Despite difficulties, there is always something we can do and succeed at. It matters how we view things and obstacles. We must unleash our imagination to shape the universe intelligently and this book is and will serve as a guide for all. 

My Mom's Favourite Cotton Balm Oil

POY SIAN PIM SAEN BALM OIL - Have you heard of this oil? It's my mom's favourte medicine.

I am here to unveil another interesting story of my mom's best medicine oil that she has been closely using for long. One thing that is always in my mom's pocket would be this cotton balm oil, serving as an all-round medicine. Whenever, she mentions it's running low, I make sure to buy one for her. 

I have few stats of this oil from Google;

"Poy Sian Pim Saen Balm Oil is one of the most popular inhalers from Thailand. It is made of 100% natural ingredients such as patchouli oil, menthol, eucalyptus, and camphor. Gently inhale or rub it for relief from dizziness, stuffy nose, nausea, drowsiness, and other related issues."

My mom firmly believes in the power of this oil. She always keeps it with her for reasons that are deeply personal, even though I am not entirely convinced of its effectiveness. She uses it for everything from headaches and fevers to body pain, eye pain, and joint pain. 

Because she loves this cotton balm oil so much, I make sure she always has one in her pocket. I've been doing this since high school, saving up money to buy it whenever I visit home. She absolutely loves it!

As I am getting older, I've come to appreciate the importance of this oil. Whenever I have a mild headache, joint pain, or a cold, I use it, and it especially helps with headaches and nasal congestion. I'm starting to understand why my mom finds it so effective is for—the natural, warm, and strong yet clean scent of herbs clears nasal congestion, relieves stress, and provides instant freshness and relaxation.

With my mom's long-term influence and my own experiences, I now turn to this oil whenever I've a headache, a blocked nose, or some body pain. I even tried it for stomachaches!

There are many online reviews of this product. One reviewer mentioned, "Great! My wife and I have been using this balm oil for years. It has helped us relieve neck pains, muscle aches, headaches, and even mild migraines". 

While there are many benefits, I always warn my mom to keep it out of children's reach due to its strong aroma, which can affect their breathing, eyes, or any cuts. It should always be stored safely, away from young kids and in cool places.

Now, just like my mom, I make sure to always have one in my pocket for emergencies. As we age, illness can strike without any warning, so keeping one in hand is an essential part of self-care.

My mom introduced me to this Thai cotton balm oil long ago, and now I use it for many different purposes. It's truly a great product.

Five Best Things

I. Tiny Things

There's an old saying, "small thing, small heart." While it's fine to hold onto traditional beliefs, this one doesn't always seem obvious.

As a child, I was fascinated with small things, as evident from my handwriting—tiny and almost microscopic. Many of my friends often joke that they need a magnifying glass to read it.

Growing up, my love for small things extended beyond my handwriting to my hair, clothes, and gadgets—all the tiniest options. I always preferred small phone sizes, likely for their compactness and light weight. At one point, I even had a significant collection of small writing pens and notepads.

Google

II. Green Vegetables

I am a huge fan of the color green, especially when it comes to vegetables and fruits. I prefer green vegetables, particularly homegrown ones, over any expensive meat items. My preference for green isn't connected to any religious beliefs or dislikes; I simply enjoy green items for their health benefits, both now and in the future.

Once, I was watching a TV show called "NHK" and came across a documentary featuring a senior lady and her partner sharing how they've stayed so healthy and fit at their age. She immediately replied that they mostly eat homegrown green vegetables. Even before that, I already liked many green vegetables, but watching the program profoundly reinforced my views on green items. Today, green items often top my shopping list.

Google

III. Dawn Breaking Hours

Dawn is my favorite time of the day—the virgin hour. I often go for morning walks to immerse myself in the beauty of dawn. The experience of fresh air and watching the light touch the ground is indescribable. To get the real feel and charm, one must ask someone who appreciates the morning hours.

If I had to choose between sleep and witnessing dawn, I would always choose the latter. There's nothing greater than catching the fresh morning air and seeing how light touches the ground. It's just the perfect way to start a day!

Google

IV. The Cameras

I have a deep connection with cameras, rooted in my childhood when I maintained a photo album. I always fancied myself with a great camera in hand. I would often borrow money from my parents to buy camera film, called "negative," which had limited shots (29-30), so I had to be very careful with each one. During school picnics, I had to save film to take pictures with my classmates and teachers, making those moments special and extraordinary.

My dream was to own a DSLR camera, and as soon as I joined the civil service, I bought a Canon DSLR.

However, I had to hide my camera for two months to avoid arguments with my wife, but eventually, I shared my passion with her and surprised her with the camera. Photography allows me to capture moments that can never be reversed, making me a keeper of time.

My ultimate dream is to be the photographer for His Majesty The King, capturing moments that are shared worldwide. Most of the Royal Photographs "Kupar" would remain in history, giving me a profound sense of achievement. I would easily prefer to be the King's Photographer over any other million-dollar offer.

Google

V. The Books

I'm not a great reader or writer, but I believe books are windows to the world. I developed a reading habit later in life and now have a deep connection with books. I prefer buying books over spending money on food when I visit places with good bookstores, like Thimphu, Gelephu, or Phuntsholing. I love giving and receiving books as gifts and often share my collection with friends.

Now with age, I always fancy myself with a lot of free time to sit in a quiet room with a good book in hand and coffee by my side, in the midst of fresh air.

In today's tech-driven age, encouraging reading is a great way to engage children away from screens. I hope my kids become avid readers and gain the wisdom that comes with it.

Google

The Power of a Positive Workmate - III

Mitchell and I

I recently started working with a new colleague named Mitchell. If I had married 17 years ago, he could be like a son to me, but to simplify things, he's more like a student to me because I used to be a school teacher, and I still feel connected to my school and students back home.

Mitchell is a bright young man with high integrity, honesty, and self-discipline. He always greets me with a warm smile, and he speaks with conviction and wisdom, like a well-educated person.

Working with Mitchell is a pleasure. We often engage in deep conversations about our countries, which, despite being oceans apart, share many commonalities. Our discussions keep us so engaged that we hardly notice the cold weather. Mitchell is incredibly knowledgeable about the laws of his country, even though he is still in high school.

We frequently discuss education, culture, relationships, friendships, and family, along with politics, climate, weather, technology, and books. I often asked him about Australia's education system, and he never got frustrated with my curiosity. He always provided well-informed answers, from which I learned a lot.

I shared with him the education system of my country, where education starts from primary school, followed by middle or high school, and then a crucial grade-ten national exam that determines whether students pursue science, commerce, or arts, with different combination of subjects. 

Mitchell explained that in Australia, students have the freedom to choose any combination of subjects in high school, and this flexibility allows them to prepare better for university. He aspires to become a law student and is already studying legal subjects. His knowledge about civil and criminal law, justice, and law reform is impressive for his age.

Working with Mitchell has been a privilege. He is smart, kind, and aware of the world around him. I have learned many life lessons from him about being independent. Perhaps, his awareness of social security and the stock market, and his plans to invest, are particularly impressive for someone of his age.

All I can do was to wish him good luck, and secretly admiring his level of knowledge and goodness.