"Our suffering may not be as worthless and bad as we think." - Dalai Lama

An excerpt from a book I'm currently reading:

 

This is the reason why people who, from the outside looking in, have suffered great tragedies and obstacles seem to have the most compassion and understanding of our problems and issues. They have become so in tune with their challenges that they are able to develop empathy for ours. We are able to connect on a different level. And that is more helpful than we could ever have imagined. 

In turn, we should change our views on suffering and use it to grow ourselves and support others. 

Social Fabric - What Cloth Are You Cut From?

Pretty interesting show on Netflix that I found recently called Social Fabric. A play on words, this is a docuseries about the culture that clothing creates, represents, and develops. Kyle Ng's perspective as a young fashion designer helps connect the world as it is today to the world from where the trends in streetwear and style came from.

I initially didn't think I'd be interested, but after the first episode I was kind of hooked on the way the show was produced / directed. It's very hip. The language is colloquial and his background really connects with me, maybe because we're around the same age or maybe because we're Asian or maybe because we listen to similar music or experienced the same things when we were younger. Maybe.

Anyway... thought it was worth a mention. And Kyle Ng is getting a 2nd season of Social Fabric to delve in to more in depth views on other clothing styles. Carry on Kyle. Carry on.

I'm A Lover, Not A... Negotiator

I hate negotiating for anything. It's probably my weakest ability. I despise the back and forth. I hate the bullshit you put each other through. The ordeal is full of lies, deceit, and people who relish the opportunity to take advantage of another person. Wouldn't it be quicker and more honest if everyone just cut all the crap and told it how it really was?

Why? Am I so bad at it, you ask? Yes, I'm actually terrible at the practice. I don't have a poker face. My body language reveals everything that I'm thinking. The discounts I ask for are too little; so I get what I want but a price that the other side is still willing to give. The (few) sales that I've made, I've forfeited on because I was impatient and/or didn't stand my ground. I lose in either scenario.

If greed did not dominate the sinful human race, it would be easier (albeit less competitive) to complete a transaction. That's fine by me. As long as I don't have to haggle, hassle, or sacrifice my honesty to seal the deal then it's all right.

Let's face it though. It's a part of every day life. I have to just deal with it. And I have to try to win some of the time. We negotiate business deals and transactions. We come to terms on where to eat lunch. We agree or disagree on what to watch on tv. We try to come away with a bargain at the flea market. We lowball the used car salesman. We wrangle a few cents at the farmers' markets. Every little bit counts. At least that's what society tells us.

And it's all a game. Who can get the best deal? Who can make the best offer? Who backs down first? Who lies to increase their margins? Who cheats the system to afford more than seemingly possible? And at the end of the day, who wins? (327)