Lifelong Learning

March 20, 2024
Perused my first book 📕 in 2024, “Mid-Course Correction: Re-ordering Your Private World for the Next Part of Your Journey” by Gordon MacDonald, 240 pages. 📖

The book deeply intertwines with the concept of God and spiritual growth, aligning its main themes—leave, follow, and reach—with a Christian perspective on life transformation and renewal.

LEAVE: This stage involves leaving behind behaviors, habits, and patterns that are not in line with God's teachings. MacDonald emphasizes the importance of repentance and detachment from sin or worldly distractions that distance one from God.

FOLLOW: Following God is presented as the heart of the spiritual journey. MacDonald encourages readers to follow Jesus’ teachings, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the principles laid out in the Bible.

REACH: Reaching, in the context of MacDonald’s book, signifies not only the pursuit of personal spiritual goals but also the call to serve God and others. It’s about using one’s gifts, talents, and resources to fulfill God's kingdom purposes on earth.

It was a journey of deep reflection, incredibly thought-provoking, and stirred emotions I hadn’t explored in a while.

終於細讀完今年第一本書，讀了三個月，包括二月份返香港和越南旅途中讀不到書，牧師以三個字 —離開，跟從，達到— 作為全書骨幹。最令小弟感受尤深是牧師說我們的生命不一定是 growing up，很多信徒及非信徒的生命是 growing down，人愈大生命、道德、對人態度、生活態度，愈來愈下沉，愈冷漠。

他的 mid-course correction 並非指中年危機，而是不斷較正做人方向，由青少年開始，愈來愈像基督的方向，我們信主稱為 converted 歸信基督，作者建議我們生活是 always converting，不斷歸信，不斷成長，不斷建立基督的品格，他指出，現代教會鼓勵為基督改變及影響這世界，可惜這群信徒不先被改變，被模造 being converted, being transformed 個人及群體基督化品格，欠缺生命的內涵。


#今年細讀完全本的第一本書

March 17, 2024
“How to squeeze all the juice out of retirement,” a TED Talk lasting 12:20 minutes by Dr. Riley Moynes (Ed.D, University of Toronto), represents my 132nd TED Talk viewing since October 1, 2017.

Despite common belief, retirement takes more than financial planning. And while you may be beyond ready to go on permanent vacation, you also have to psychologically prepare for when the novelty wears off.

Dr. Moynes explains the four phases of retirement and offers a framework for how to avoid the inevitable pitfalls of taking it too easy in order to help you make the most of your golden years.

退休後生活原來可以有四個階段，有些人只停留在第一、第二、第三階段，有些人跌回第二迷失階段，惟有刻意追求第四階段才可過愉快的退休生活。多大教育博士講解條理分明，有幽默感。👍👍

Riley Moynes: How to squeeze all the juice out of retirement Despite common belief, retirement takes more than financial planning. And while you may be beyond ready to go on permanent vacation, you also have to psychologically prepare for when the novelty wears off. Riley Moynes explains the four phases of retirement and offers a framework for how to avoid th...

March 9, 2024
I just finished my 34th LinkedIn Learning course titled ‘Creating Flow,’ presented by Christina Vo, a Communications Consultant, Coach, and Entrepreneur. The course duration is 48 minutes. 95%👍👍

“Introducing the concept of flow into your daily life can help create the optimal mindset for success. In this course, expert Christina Vo shows you how to build effective habits to harness the power of flow in all aspects of life. Follow along as Christina clarifies the concept of flow, how to get yourself into the flow state, and how guides such as meditation and reflection can help you connect with your flow state.

Christina also provides instruction on how to find flow in your work by building your flow projects and feedback loops, connecting with passion and purpose, and creating more flow in your daily life through nature and cultivating mindfulness.”

讀完第34個 LinkedIn 學習課程，獲益良多。Flow 是心理學描述一種忘我境界，而這心理狀況毎日可以做公事，私事，興趣中經歷，當然自己要學懂培養。


#忘我境界

March 7, 2024
Experienced 'My Stroke of Insight,' as shared by Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor in her February 2008 talk, duration 18:30. This marks my 131st TED Talk attendance since October 1, 2017.

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, a neuroanatomist with a Ph.D. from Harvard, encountered a research opportunity few brain scientists could imagine: experiencing a massive stroke firsthand. She observed her brain functions—motion, speech, self-awareness—fading away one by one. Her recovery journey, taking 8 years to regain full functionality, presents an extraordinary narrative.

What I learned from the talk is the importance of leveraging my right brain hemisphere more effectively to tap into a state of inner calmness, appreciate beauty on a deeper level, and harness my internal energy.

過去六年半收看的第131 個 TED 講座，十八分半鐘，哈佛大學博士大腦神經科研究員自己經歴中風，她活潑生動地分享她的經驗，她用了八年才完全康復。

我們需要好好使用我們的右腦。


#中風 #右腦 #左腦 #精神健康

My stroke of insight Jill Bolte Taylor got a research opportunity few brain scientists would wish for: She had a massive stroke, and watched as her brain functions -- motion, speech, self-awareness -- shut down one by one. An astonishing story.

From Baltic Sea on May 25, 2017 to My Fourth Bible Reading Journey
Worldwide Chinese Bible, 2022

Nov 1, 2023 - Feb 29, 2024
Bible Reading Log

從波羅的海至第四個讀經旅程
《環球聖經譯本》，首四個月讀了11卷舊約，12卷新約，大部分是短的書卷。
發覺去旅行讀不到書，只能返回多倫多才可以專心讀書。





#讀完一本英文聖經讀一本中文全本讀
#看看2024年可否讀得完環聖

February 21, 2024
Purchased 4 good Chinese books from Hong Kong:
1. Wisdom Books, by Dr. Chloe Sun, STM, DTS; PhD, Fuller, Professor of OT, Fuller, 446 pages.

2. God’s Timeline: The Big Book of Church History, by Linda Finlayson, Chinese translation, 92 pages.

3. God’s Timeline: The Big Book of Biblical History, by Linda Finlayson, Chinese translation, 100 pages.

4. Jin Yong (Dr. Louis Cha) Gallery, Exhibition Catalogue, 204 pages.

返香港當然買中文書，發覺旺角「基道書樓」英文釋經書及屬靈書頗豐書，當然貴過 Christianbook 和 Amazon.ca，如果我住在香港，夠買夠讀。

聽過謝挺博士的講座，很有舊約根基。喜歡讀舊約歷史，有中文譯本容易跟，亦有興趣自己不熟識的教會歷史；金庸展覽圖錄有助我未來讀「新修版」。

我 show 了我的 DTS 學生證，他們給我九折，其後看到有「樂悠咭」便有九折。捧回多倫多當然很重，CX 地勤小姐有禮貌及態度誠懇，望都不望我行李有多重。感恩!! 🙏🏼🙏🏼

February 21, 2024 at Hong Kong
The legendary Bruce Lee, Kung Fu Master!! 🐉 Bruce had his own unique martial arts philosophy 🥋. What a surprise - Lee also loved writing English poems!! 📝

李小龍展館，因為版權關係，館內不准拍照。文化博物館好多展覽，免費入場，車公廟站 A 出口，步行七分鐘。


#李小龍展覽館

February 18, 2023 at Da Nang, Vietnam
Marble Mountains (Vietnamese: Ngũ Hành Sơn, Chữ Hán: 五行山; lit. "five elements mountains") is a cluster of five marble and limestone hills located in Ngũ Hành Sơn District, south of Da Nang city in Vietnam. The five mountains are named after the five elements: Kim (metal), Thủy (water), Mộc (wood), Hỏa (fire) and Thổ (earth).

All of the mountains have cave entrances and numerous tunnels, and it is possible to climb to the summit of Mount Thủy. Several Buddhist sanctuaries can also be found within the mountains, making this a tourist destination.

五行山之旅
小弟爬到上山頂，沿途有鐵圈。


#峴港自由行 #越南

February 12, 2024 at Hong Kong
The Eslite bookstore in Causeway Bay, located within Hysan Place, is a haven for readers and learners in Hong Kong. This three-story establishment offers an extensive selection of both Chinese and English books, along with a vast array of stationery and accessories. It's truly a blessing for those looking to immerse themselves in literature and learning.

如果小弟住在香港，好大可能個個星期都去「誠品書店」買書打書釘，他們藏書豐富，選擇多。閱讀可以提升個人視野，起步點是培養閱讀風氣，使之成為個人習慣。

#誠品書店