Are you dying to travel?

Last Friday (Jan 7) two young Frenchmen were killed in Niger, less than 24 hours after being kidnapped, according to French military officials.

The bodies of the two 25-year-olds, one an aid worker and the other his childhood friend, were found in the desert near the West African country's border with Mali after an unsuccessful rescue operation.

Mr Antoine de Leocour had been living in the Niger for two years and was planning to marry a local woman last Saturday. His friend, Mr Vincent Delory, had flown to Niger to be best man at the wedding and arrived on Friday afternoon, a few hours before they were kidnapped by terrorists.

There are many more unsafe countries where civil war, suicide bombing and gang fights are common, such as in Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Sierra Leone and the border region of Pakistan.

Not so obvious but just as dangerous would be countries that appear to be attractive but where poverty is widespread and criminal gunmen operate freely.

Brazil, where the next soccer World Cup is to be staged, is the prime example. The big cities of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paolo are the murder capitals of the world. Sao Paolo has over 5,000 murders annually, while Rio has a murder rate of 18 a day. Even the cops in Brazil are crooked and can't be trusted.

How about the United States?

Would you believe it, even the United States is also a dangerous place to visit! New York City, Los Angeles, Washington DC (where President Obama hangs out) and Detroit have high murder rates. Here are some scary figures: Every 5 minutes a rape is reported, and every 30 seconds an aggravated assault is conducted (somebody gets badly beaten up).


In Brazil, don't get caught in a crossfire between police and criminal gangs (picture above)

KISS of success

There are formulas for just about every task and activity under the sun, from making money in the stock market to winning the hand of the girl of your dream.

It has been shown, however, that the simpler the formula, the better it works.

So, whether you’re writing a million-dollar business plan, moving house or organising your own wedding, Keep It Short and Simple (KISS).

Not too long ago, two Stanford University students decided to develop an Internet search engine that would be simple in design and simple to use, and give you only the results that you want, without ads, animations and other distractions.

The rest of the world agreed with the two, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, that their search engine, which they called “Google”, was indeed simple and effective, making Google a runaway success, and one of the biggest companies in the world.

Consider the stock market. There are all kinds of “technical analyses” to predict whether a stock is going up or going down or just stagnating. You can ignore these complex formulas. According to an American investment guru Al Thomas, a straightforward, simple rule in investing in shares is, “If it doesn't go up, don't buy it!”

A few years ago, the giant European manufacturing company Philips decided to change its philosophy by adopting the motto, “Sense and Simplicity”. Everything it produces, from electronics to household appliances, should be both sensible and simple for its customers. As a result, Philips’ products continue to compete successfully against those made by the Japanese, Koreans and Taiwanese.

Living can be so difficult, so why make matters worse? To enjoy the KISS of success, following these four cardinal rules:

Rule 1: Do one thing at a time

Don’t multi-tasking, it doesn’t work. When your attention is divided between multiple tasks at the same time, you cannot do well in any one of them.

So, focus on only one task, do it well and complete it, BEFORE moving on to another.

Rule 2: Slow down your movement

Slowing down means you have the time and energy to notice things and enjoy them – your children at play, the sinking sun under the treetops, the aroma of morning coffee. What’s the point of living if you don’t have time to live because you’re always in a rush?

Rule 3: Give yourself space

We are emotionally attached to things, especially those that glitter – jewellery, electronic gizmos. Most of the time, you don’t need them. Free your life of clutter (including the latest cell phones and computers).

Rule 4: Reduce your purchases

The best things in life are free. Of course. Spend time with your family (at home, not in some pricey cruise), stroke the cat, listen to music.

Spend money on only the things that matter, not on indulgences. Shopping as therapy will make you bankrupt fast!

No time to stand and stare
Here's a poem to guide your action throughout the New Year:

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

The poet, W H Davies (1871-1940) lived the kind of life he wrote about. Born in Wales in the UK, Davies went to America and lived the life of a tramp. One day, he lost a leg when he jumped out of a train (an occupational hazard!). Davies returned to England where he continued to live the life of a tramp and wrote poetry along the way.

What will the Rabbit bring for you?

Whenever Chinese New Year approaches, almost everyone (non-Chinese included) is anxious to find out what will happen to them in the next 12 months.

The so-called "scientific" way is to consult political and economic analysts, but these fortune-tellers are so inaccurate in their predictions that no one trust them any more except the morons running big corporations and public institutions. The green parrot at the traditional roadside fortune-teller stall gives better answers.

Personally, I consult the ancient Taoist Almanac and the I-ching (Book of Change) if I want to divine the year ahead.

Here's a summary collated from my research on what you can expect in 2011, the Year of the Rabbit, depending on which Zodiac Animal you belong:

If you were born in the Year of the Rat, you can have good luck in love, career advancement and social life. 2011 will also be a good year for you to invest in stock market blue chips (but not casino chips!) and if you are thinking of settling down, this is the time.

If you're an Ox, be wary about going into business or making major financial commitments, at least in the first half of the year. Your safest strategy to ward off disaster is to keep a low profile and work hard.

If you're a Tiger, you can relax as this will generally be a slow year in work, business and romance. Be tactful in words and cautious in behaviour to avoid conflict at work and in relationship.

Rabbits may have a trying time despite this being the Year of the Rabbit. But you would still have your fair share in the good things as long as you are patient. Remember, all things come to him who waits.

This should be a splendid year for the Dragon. Take your chance and invest in your career (sign up for an MBA programme if you don’t have one) or business (a good time to expand). You may also enjoy good fortune in love and romance, although for men, it doesn’t mean you can hire a mistress from China!

2011 may be difficult for the Snake, so keep your guard up and review your investment portfolio with a finetoothed comb. Watch your money, check your health (especially your blood pressure!) and do not over-indulge.

A run of good fortune is what the Horse can enjoy in 2011. There are unlikely to be unpleasant surprises lying in wait, but be wary of business partners, especially those with candy words and big promises.

The surefooted Goat would still have to watch his or her steps in 2011. Be patient and wait for opportunities. It will be a busy year for you, but remember busy-ness does not equate with productivity.

The Monkey has emotional baggage to put down this year. Take extra care of your health and watch your expenditure. There is little to worry about regarding money matters as long as you are careful with the pennies.

For the Rooster, stay alert as this may be a challenging year. However there is nothing you cannot achieve with faith, patience and the support of true friends and family members.

2011 may turn out to be a Midas year for those born in the Year of the Dog. Everything you put your hands into is likely to turn to gold. So, live well, but remember to share your good things with the less privileged.

For the Pig, go slow. Do not commit to big-ticket items like loans, and save, save, save! Be patient and avoid any commitment that may get you into debt, including serving as financial guarantor to a friend.

The above are just possible outcomes. As 13th Century enlightened Taoist master Chiu Chang-chun [丘長春] says:

“The major determinant of your future is the heart. If a cruel heart is tamed, or a kind heart becomes cruel, the expected outcomes will change. Our destiny is determined by our own actions. People who were initially destined to die peacefully may end their lives in violence if they do evil deeds. People who were initially destined to die a violent death may die peacefully if they perform good deeds. Our destiny is in our own hands.”