A friend recently asked for help with her daughter’s college application. She hopes to attend medical school in Taiwan. Medical school admission there is extremely competitive. Most accepted students come from the top 1% academically, and acceptance rates at top programs are often below 1–2%. I started with a simple question: why? Before preparing for …
Category Archives: Inspiration
Make a Difference – Start by Thinking Differently
Make a Difference – Start by Thinking Differently Many of us admire pioneers — people and organizations who see ahead, question norms, and drive change. Yet we often tell ourselves, “I’m not like that,” or “I don’t have what it takes.” I believe we all have creativity within us. We can learn, grow, and make …
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How Do You Solve Problems?
A friend shared that one of her goals for 2025 was to get back to exercising.Her son and I supported her with running shoes and clothes as Christmas gifts. Recently, I asked how it was going.She smiled sheepishly and said, “ Not much. ” Instead of reacting or judging, I asked, “What happened?” She explained …
How Do You Add Value?
I attended a workshop where the co-host opened with a simple question:“ What do you want to get out of this? ” One participant said: “ I want my work to be my life’s work. I don’t know if it really is. I can’t tell if it’s me — or something I picked up from …
Are You There?
During a presentation, I asked the audience three questions. “How many of you don’t believe listening is important?”No hands. “How many of you don’t know the benefits of listening well?”Again, no hands. Finally: “How many of you feel you’re a good listener?”Slowly, three hands went up in a room of fifteen. Isn’t that interesting? Most …
How Do You Define Success?
Success is a word we use often — in conversations, careers, and goals.But how do we define it? For some, success shows up as growth — in knowledge, influence, or financial stability.For others, it’s less about achievement and more about contribution: doing good work, supporting others, and creating positive impact.You can see examples at: Who …
How Do You Learn?
On a recent trip to Trader Joe’s, I picked up two nearly identical bags of dried prunes. Same origin, no sodium, no added sugar.One difference: “Non-Sorbate.” Curious, I asked a staff member. He explained it means no preservatives.Placed side by side, the non-sorbate prunes looked darker, drier, and “older,” while the other appeared shinier, juicier, …
誰是 「貴人」/ 什麼是「貴族文化」?
你如何定義一位「貴人」?你又會如何描述一種「貴族文化」? 最近和蔡爾平(人稱二哥)的一段對話,讓我重新思考這些問題。他是一位藝術家、創作者、園藝家、雕刻家與跨材料、跨文化說故事的人。 二哥說:「貴人,是珍視(貴重)你的夢想、你的思考與你的使命的人,而不是只給你貴重物資的人。」 這貴重嗎? 在一個追逐投資人、聚焦億萬富翁、讚頌有影響力的高階主管與官員的世界裡,資源確實重要。但若仔細看,真正改變我們人生軌跡的,往往不是金錢,而是一句信念、一個鼓勵、一個問題,或被分享的一段知識。有時我們要過了很久才意識到影響;有些人從未出名或被感謝。 一位朋友多年後跟我說,我當年的一句對話鼓勵他去參加一個工作坊。那段經驗後來影響了他投入教練訓練並轉換職涯。坦白說,我已不記得當時的情景 — 那是他的決定與努力。但這件事提醒我:一次小小的交流,可能會改變別人的人生,儘管我們未察覺。 另一位朋友讀了 Dr. Greger 的食療聖經 (How Not to Die),改為全穀植物性(WFPB)飲食,避開了降膽固醇藥物,並自然改善了健康。之後她邀請我和另外兩位朋友到家裡上「大師烹飪課」。我很喜歡那些料理,也開始好奇:如果我轉換飲食,檢驗結果會有什麼變化?於是我在自己身上做了實驗。那段期間我感到更輕盈、更專注,也享受探索新的食材與食譜;四週後的體檢結果顯著改善。何必回頭?從那之後,我持續全穀植物性飲食,也與有興趣的人分享相關資源。知識被分享,也就被擴散。 我母親法律系畢業,政府鼓勵受過教育的人投入教育界,以協助戰後重建。她因此當了 27 年的老師。或許她擔任律師或法官會賺得更多,但我相信她透過教育世代所創造的影響更深遠。我以她為榮 — 我受惠教育、相信教育、支持教育,也是因為她。 二哥還說:「貴族文化,是珍貴的情懷 — 利己利他。」 這珍貴嗎? 在古時,社會菁英肩負著道德引領與照顧社群的責任。今天,這種精神其實人人都能承擔,只要我們願意向內想、往外看: 天空不再是極限。真正的極限是我們的想像與行動。 我很喜歡 Howard Thurman 的一句話:「不要問世界需要什麼;問什麼讓你感到活耀,然後去做。因為世界真正需要的,是活耀的人。」 什麼讓你活耀起來?
Who / What Is Noble?
How do you define a noble person(貴人)?How do you describe a noble culture(貴族文化)? A recent conversation with 蔡爾平 — known as 二哥, a renowned artist, creator, gardener, sculptor, and storyteller across materials and cultures — made me think again. 二哥 said:“ A noble person is someone who values(貴重)your dream, your thinking, and your mission — …
How Do You Make Decisions?
What words come to mind when you hear “Africa”? I recently spoke with a friend who has spent over 40 years in global finance and investment, focused on emerging markets and sustainability. In a season when headlines highlight funding cuts and anxiety, it was refreshing to hear him say that Africa holds “a lot of …
