by Sunil Bali, 04-11-18

"All your dreams are made, when you’re chained to the mirror and the razor blade," sang rock star, philosopher and Ivor Novello award-winning songwriter Noel Gallagher.

When asked where his creativity comes from, Gallagher replied, "In the Church of Gallagher I have a commandment which I never break, "Though shalt not get up before 10am." And when I do get up, I take ages in the bathroom, not preening myself, but daydreaming in front of the mirror, or in the shower. Most of my best ideas come to me around 10:30am in the bathroom while I’m shaving or having a shower."

Gallagher’s non-active action, reconciles with the Taoist principles of,

• Wu Wei – effortless effort, and
• Ziran – natural, innate creativity brought forth by an uncluttered mind.

Confucius was an ardent advocate of spontaneous creativity produced by what he called, the "tortoise mind." This has been backed up my research at Harvard which shows that less thinking and more daydreaming results in higher dopamine levels and new patterns of thought, both of which enhance creativity.

Who would have thought that Confucius and Noel Gallagher would both be Daydream Believers (3 min music video of The Monkees)

Humour

As I’ve been so busy at work my husband has been helping out with the cooking.

I’d like to congratulate him on reaching a new culinary milestone this week …..

by setting off the next door neighbour’s smoke alarm.

After 20 years working at the bakery, the wife’s suddenly decided she hates it.

She thinks she’s having a mid-loaf crisis and needs a new lease of loaf.

A Saudi Arabian cat,

Live big & love deep.

Sunil

www.sunilbali.com

by Sunil Bali, 28-10-18

When Steve Jobs gave his famous 2005 Stanford Commencement Speech, nearly 23,000 people were packed into Stanford Stadium.

One of the them was Forrest Li.

Forrest remembers the day of the speech, saying "I was fortunate to be among the audience for my wife’s graduation and was deeply moved by Steve’s words".

He took to heart Jobs’ advice to "Stay hungry, stay foolish and follow your heart".

Forrest then replayed the video on YouTube every day for months, and now says "It gave me the courage to do what I’m doing now."

A very keen gamer, Forrest’s dream was to build a successful gaming company.

Inspired by Jobs, Forrest launched his gaming company Garena. The first few years were a bit of a rollercoaster, but in the last six years Forrest’s company has grown annual revenue by over 95% year on year to over $300 million in 2015.

Millions have watched Steve Jobs’ 2005 commencement speech, but how many have followed it like Forrest has and jumped into action?

Remember, that just like a bottle of milk or a piece of fruit, inspiration has an expiry date.

Humour

The Mexican Maid

The Mexican maid asked for a pay rise.

The Missus was very upset about this and decided to talk to her about the completely unjustified raise.

Mrs: "Now Maria, just why do you want a pay increase?"
Maria: "Well, Senora, there are tree reeezons why I wanna increeze.

The first is that I iron better than you …"

Mrs: "And just Who said you iron better than me …?"
Maria: "Jor huzban … he say so …".

Mrs: "Oh yeah …?!!"

Maria: "The second reason eez that I am a better cook than you …"

Mrs: "Nonsense, what utter rubbish; and Who said you were a better cook than me …?"
Maria: "Jor hozban … he did say so …"
Mrs, increasingly agitated: "Oh he did, did he …???"

Maria: "The third reason is that I am better in bed than you…"

Mrs, really boiling now, and through gritted teeth: "And, did my husband say that as well …?"

Maria: "No Senora … The gardener did …"

Mrs: "So how much of a raise were you wanting …?"

Live big & love deep.

Sunil

www.sunilbali.com

by Sunil Bali, 21-10-18

How many people do you think will cry at your funeral?

10, 20, ….. 30 maybe?

It’s been estimated that around 12-15 people cry at the average funeral.

Why then do we give a Friar Tuck about the opinion of countless others?

The answer lies a mere 20,000 years ago in the Paleolithic or Stone Age.

Back then, our caveman ancestors had to be part of a small tribe if they were to survive. A tribe meant access to more food and greater protection. So being accepted by the tribe, especially those in authority, was critical.

Being rejected by, or worse still getting kicked out by the tribe, resulted in a dramatically shortened lifespan. Being socially accepted was everything.

In short, our bodies and minds are built to live in a small tribe in 20,000BC.

That’s why we humans have evolved an obsession with what others think of us.

A craving for social approval which tragically silences our authentic voice.

In the 21st century we need to work on our own agenda and not respond to someone else’s.

So tell me, whose opinion do you need to stop caring about?

Humour

Put downs by comedians to hecklers:

I’m sorry can’t understand what you’re saying. I’m wearing a moron filter – Arthur Smith

Your bus leaves in 10 minutes. Be under it – John Cooper Clarke

What are you so angry about? Has the price of Play Dough gone up? – Henning Wehn

Well it’s a night out for him and a night off for his family – Jack Dee

Pay attention madam and you’ll realise that we have several things in common, not just the beard– Markus Birdman

Live big & love deep.

Sunil

www.sunilbali.com