Rx Note

Introduction I recently bought a Mi Box for home use so that my family and I could watch a show together. However, I was disappointed to realize that TV shows are no longer the sole form of entertainment, and people are increasingly turning to their smartphones for entertainment. Gone are the days when we would all sit on the sofa together, waiting for the next episode of a drama series. Reframe Rest In today's connected world, it can be difficult to find time for ourselves. Even on our off days, our lives are filled with small distractions , such as receiving work calls or text messages at lunch or while shopping. More often than not, we neglect to see how these tiny distractions have affected our personal lives, built up stress and undermined our happiness in important moments. In fact, the feeling of burnout is a direct result of our always-on culture. One way to reclaim our personal time is to create clear boundaries between work and life. Instead of being available at all time...

Introduction Ikigai is a book co-authored by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles that explores a Japanese concept potentially explaining the extraordinary longevity of the Japanese, especially on the island of Okinawa, where there are 24.55 people over the age of 100 for every 100,000 inhabitants. Ikigai is a Japanese concept that translates roughly as "the happiness of always being busy". Rather than harbouring animosity towards outsiders, Okinawans live by the principle of ichariba chode , a local expression that means "treat everyone like a brother, even if you have never met them before". From an early age, they practice yuimaaru , or teamwork, and so are used to helping one another, making every resident feel like part of a community. Nurturing friendships, eating light, getting enough rest, and doing regular, moderate exercise are all part of the equation for good health, but at the heart of the joie de vivre that inspires these centenarians to keep celebra...

Introduction Reading through various books, you may come across various approaches to happiness. One saying often quoted is, "In life, it is not about doing what you like, but liking what you do." The "Let Them Theory" highlights that the source of unhappiness often stems from the unrealistic expectation of controlling people and situations. Instead of becoming frustrated by others' actions or negative circumstances, allow them to happen and make peace with them, while taking the initiative to do what you enjoy. This core idea coincides with Habit 1 in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People : Be proactive by controlling how you respond to situations, whether good or bad. Some books, such as Same As Ever , even argue that we live more privileged lives compared to our ancestors, yet we have grown to not appreciate it. In the book Leaders Eat Last , Simon Sinek argues that we are too accustomed to the instant gratification of dopamine release for quick successes,...

Introduction Change is the only constant in life. Every now and then, you will be surprised to hear that some of your long-lost friends have moved on to the next stage of life (e.g. getting married, raising child). Yet, we often find ourselves stuck in the same old routines, living happily within our comfort zones. There is a fear of making regrettable decisions that could potentially make our lives more miserable. NOTE: Change, though challenging and uncomfortable, presents an opportunity for growth. The Fear of Change and Cynicism When faced with tough situations, change is necessary to overcome them. Without change, we find ourselves stuck in the same cycle day after day. However, change is not easy and is filled with uncertainties , much like walking in the dark and exploring for a way out. The fear arises from our inability to control or foresee the outcomes, causing us to think of indefinite negative possibilities that may never come to pass. This, coupled with self-doubt (...