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Just my thoughts #0793

Expectations and disappointments stem from the same root. External factors do not separate expectations from disappointments; rather, internal factors do. We can’t easily stop losing if we lose a little because expectations remain. Moreover, we’re not satisfied with small profits; we want more. In other words, greed is the root of both expectations and disappointments. It’s wrong to say that you’re disappointed because you expect it. Since they share the same root, expectations and disappointments only intersect depending on the situation. With a big loss, you lose patience, and with a big profit, you feel happy only then. Large gains or losses are hard to sustain, but small, everyday victories are easier to maintain because our brains are wired that way. Big negative events often result from a series of small bad outcomes, while big happiness comes from accumulating small joys. Our life is about continuously pushing forward with small but steady steps. Repeating small decisions can le...

Just my thoughts #0786

Money and God: The Bible draws a comparison between humans’ tendency to worship money above all else and the sin of not worshiping God. This comparison arises because money, like God, represents a concept of infinity in human terms. Money shows the value of each unit as a number. Although it is just a paper bill, the number on it indicates its currency value, called the nominal value. Yet, even if many bills are present, the real value is only the cost of paper and printing, making the intrinsic value insignificant. However, if society recognizes it, the nominal value of money can theoretically be limitless despite its negligible intrinsic worth. This potential for limitlessness mirrors human greed, which also knows no bounds. In contrast, when God revealed Himself to humans, He said, “I am that I am.” This statement emphasizes God’s true infinity. What could be a better way to express God’s infinite nature? - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Just my thoughts #0785

Olfactory: Charles Spence, the world-renowned scientist who invented gastrophysics, explains that although aging diminishes all human senses, most people believe they would miss sight the most. However, according to quality-of-life indicators and suicide rate data, losing the sense of smell is actually more harmful than losing sight. Even if we lose sight as we age, we can still find comfort in hearing the voices of loved ones and recalling memories. In contrast, when we lose our sense of smell, there is no way to recreate those experiences, and memories of scents cannot be imagined or recalled in abundance. To enrich our lives, we should focus on increasing our scent experiences, as the ability to smell is a key contributor to happiness. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Just my thoughts #0784

Volatility: Expectation and despair arise from our reactions to change; they stem from the common root. Some argue that despair comes from failed expectations, or that we expect because we despair; however, even fulfillment often disappoints. Both are responses to volatility—how we perceive shifts in circumstances. A positive (+) change is expectation; a negative (-) one is despair. Since volatility dominates our world and nothing is static, the magnitude of change matters more than permanence. Understanding volatility is crucial for navigating life successfully. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Just my thoughts #0783

Volatility and Investment: The phenomenon where an asset’s price fluctuates over time is called volatility. Owning and reselling this volatile asset is known as an investment. The concept of buying and reselling an asset often causes us to overlook the fact that this process involves a trade-off between low-volatility and high-volatility assets. Cash is less volatile than stocks, and stocks are relatively more volatile. In other words, investing involves exchanging low-volatility assets for high-volatility assets and then switching back to low-volatility assets. Meanwhile, surplus profit is generated by the price differences caused by volatility. What would happen if we traded only highly volatile assets with each other? We would probably hesitate to exchange assets and might refrain from investing. In investing, there must be both low-volatility and high-volatility assets. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Just my thoughts #0782

Pantone: Color cannot be monopolized. However, Pantone earns money with this color. How could Pantone monopolize the color industry? The answer lies in a subtle difference: Pantone does not monopolize the color itself; it monopolizes its description. To reproduce a specific color, there must be criteria (classification and combination data) and a description. This is where Pantone’s unique approach comes in. Pantone developed the “Pantone Matching System (PMS, criteria)” and monopolized the description of how printing inks should be formulated to reproduce that color. The resolution was so systematic that it eventually became a global standard. As a result, if you cannot monopolize the essence, it is better to monopolize the additive factor. In this way, business, legally, is the act of strengthening monopoly power. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Just my thoughts #0781

Nominal Value is the price assigned to an item, such as a book priced at $15.50. Real Value is the adjusted price, considering factors like inflation and depreciation, so the used price of the book reflects this Real Value. Intrinsic Value refers to the worth of the book’s content, which can far exceed its Nominal or Real Value depending on the reader’s ability to understand and apply it. Merchants profit from the gap between Nominal and Real Values, while wise individuals gain by recognizing and utilizing Intrinsic Value. Recognizing and leveraging these values is essential for building wealth. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Just my thoughts #0780

Mirroring and Maturation: Mirroring is a psychological activity where you observe yourself as if seeing your reflection, allowing you to gain self-awareness separate from your current reality. By creating this mental ‘mirror,’ you can see yourself as others might, which is a form of self-objectification. Adequate mirroring facilitates more accurate reflection on and correction of mistakes, ultimately leading to improved actions and decisions. Over time, this process helps you become more mature. Practicing self-objectification can also make others feel comfortable with you and may increase their reliance on you. This process is also known as self-reflection. Everyone has a mental mirror, but many neglect to keep it clear through regular self-examination. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”