what is wisdom 14

8/14/2019 What is Wisdom 14

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The moment a person realizes that reality has many faces, he/she takes the first step on the road to wisdom.

Volume 4, Issue 5no. 14December 2008

H O P S T A K E N I N T E R N A T I O N A L A M S T E R D A M H C M C D E V E N T E R

What is Wisdom???Dear Friends,

In the previous issue Imisquoted a Navy com-mercial. It should havebeen: When you die,they say your life passesby like a movie. It better

be an interestingmovie.

Well, our lifes movie isan interesting one. Thehighlight for me was my

wedding with Huong(Jane), with Peter as myBest Man and Moniquemy Best Lady. It was alovely wedding. Findingthe love of your life isone. Getting married istwo. Reaching yourlifes destination, andmoving on from there,is three: the goal we alllive for. Sure, its stillhard work, uncertain-ties, a need to be creati-

ve to overcome barriers.

Yet, this is life. Notalways easy. But

wouldnt it be boring ifwe had no problems?

Loek

Wisdom survey 2

Dreaming 3

Useless Knowledge 5

Wise crackers 6

7 Habits 8

Snap shots 13

Love & Marriage 19

CONTENTS: a.o.

True, most books on business administration do not mention what to do in ti-mes of a serious economic crisis. This is the time when it all comes down to

thinking on your feet, on improvisation, on applying the right tools and if theyarent at hand, to invent them. Although we may celebrate the end of the Bushera, its yet too early to applaud Mr. Obama for results. Hell have a very hardjob to repair the damage done, to restore the image of his country, and to winback trust. But he gained a lot to start with, and his election victory gives hope.

Well have to write our own chapter on crisismanagement, now that several theories on economicbusiness and financial management have proven to beworthless, or even dangerous. Its time for real change.

Above: sign on a 1,000 liter barrel of Phu Quoc fish sauce.Right: street banner in Ho Chi Minh City.

That was Obamas core message. Now, change isntalways the result of a need for change. Sometimes itsthe start of a new chapter, because people just want toconfirm their change. In business its a merger. In ourprivate life, Dept. of Love, its marriage. (See p. 24)

There are no rules for friendship. It must be left to

itself. We cannot force it any more than love.William Hazlitt (1778-1830, British essayist)

CRISIS? WHICH CHAPTER ISTHAT?


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V O LUME 4, IS SUE 5 P AGE 2

You dont have to be a fantastic hero to do certain things to compete. You canbe just an ordinary chap, sufficiently motivated to reach challenging goals.Sir Edmund Hillary (1919-2008, New Zealand mountaineer and explorer. Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and

Hillary first reached the summit of Mount Everest / Sagarmatha in 1953.)

Past issues of Wisdom. I like to leaf through them, seeing newand familiar faces. Others are as interested in you as you are inthem.

Right? So fill our maibox. Articles, photos dont sit onthem, mail them to us. Show your current looks & share your cur-rent ideas: [email protected] is OPEN!

THE 2008 SURVEY

Actually, its the first survey since the so-called zero-edition, distribu-ted back in August 2005. Why a survey? We want to know if were stillon the right track. We are interested in ANY feedback, and when wedont receive it spontaneously, we ask for it. Politely.

So please take a few minutes to reply to our survey. Your answers will

be taken seriously, of course.

1. How do you like the new layout / format of Wisdom???

2. Wisdom??? started as an alumni mag for former DDU-students.Soon we added the DDU BBA/MBA graduate students to themailing list. Since late 2007 Peter works for Wittenborg; sinceDecember 2007 I have been delivering seminars there. Early2008 we decided to combine DDU & Wittenborg in Wisdom???.Is this alright with you?

a. If youre DDU: do you mind the mix with Wittenborg?

b. If youre Wittenborg, do you mind the mix with DDU?3. Is there anything you miss in Wisdom???

4. In issue no. 13 (October 2008), which page did you like best?

5. Do you appreciate the extra editions?

6. Did you ever miss an issue due to a spam filter, or other reason?

7. We have tried to stimulate readers to write. Initially this resulted

in a few fine articles. However, it soon dried up. What would be

the cause of this?

8. If you were the editor of Wisdom??? ...

a. what would you change?b. what would you leave untouched?

Please send us your opinions & ideas:

[email protected].

Thanks!!!

Note: the email address above is accessible to both Peter & Loek.

The 2008 Wisdom??? Survey


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Sometime ago The Secret was published. An international bestseller, not in the least s a result of a veryclever and well-executed promotional campaign. The book describes the Law of Attraction: that which

you desire will come to you, providing it is a positive desire. Its about strongly visualizing a wish of thekind that has all-positive characteristics. All-positive: not only good for you, but also for others, for na-ture, the world, etc. In other words, a wish that will not meet any opposition. Core message: when you

wish it, it will happen. In the documentary film that was shown on tv, a number of authors of self helpbooks enhance The Secret, and add tips to practice the Law of Attraction. What happened: after rea-ding the book, many people started to believe that just wishing something would result in a wish-come-true. A dream would be reality: BANG, just-like-that. Although the book contains some remarks aboutdoing something yourselfto make the dream come true, many people prefer to ignore this crucial element.Or even more complicated: to determine whether something is positive enough. And from experience,I can tell you that making a dream, come true takes QUITE an effort. And it doesnt stop there: kee-ping the now realized dream alive, and further , is a daily effort. Of course, when the dream has come

true, you pick the fruits. But just like with any fruit tree, it needs Tender Loving Care to bear fruit, againand again.

2009 is about to begin, and the new Moon Year will start within 5 weeks. So the time for our new yearresolutions has arrived once again. Most people make the same mistake as the readers of The Secret.

They believe some magic will make their dream come true. I admit, luck is a factor. And the authors ofThe Secret are right in stating that committing yourself to realization of your dream somehow helps youhave more luck: fact is, that you are focused atfinding opportunities. Once you find one and

use it, its often labelled as luck. Perhaps someof it is. But most of it is work. Hard work.

Which is not always fun. But the reward of rea-lization of your dream is such, that it makes allthe hardship worth it. And as a wise manonce said, the road to happiness can be fullof happy moments when you care to appreciatethem for what they are: small steps towardsfullfillment. And once your dream is reality:

work hard atkeeping it alive, nourish it. Anddont forget: dream a new dream. So there will always be something to look forward to, to fight for.

The secret: follow your chosen path, and be determined to reach its end. When you do, have a nextchosen path ready. On the way: face the bad times, and enjoy the good times. Yes: love makes it all runeasier and smoother. But it doesnt pay your bills ... only your actions will. You know which one. LH


It is not the critic who counts. Not the man who points out how the strong manstumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs tothe man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and

blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; whoknows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthycause. Who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and

who at the worst, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never bewith those timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

Theodore Roosevelt

Before reality there is a dream making it happen (1)

When youre finished changing, youre finished. Benjamin Franklin


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Two wonderful words from Dr. Goodword (www.alphadictionary.com)

WHEREWITHAL

Pronunciation:hwer-with-awl

Part of Speech:NounMeaning:The (financial) means to do something.

Notes:Wherewithal is an odd little word, a lexical orphan with no derivational family. Withal in addition,among other things seems to be a relative but is only coincidentally composed of the same words:Tryon Makepeace is withal an excellent negotiator, meaning that among his other talents, henegotiates well.

In Play:Withal is a bit outdated but wherewithal is still very much alive around the English-speakingworld; it most frequently refers to finances: Gooden Small did not have the wherewithal to buy theyacht he wanted, so he settled for a rather modest speedboat. This word may, however, be used torefer to strengths outside the realm of finance: I dont think Lil Beaver has the emotional wherewithalto survive another divorce.

Word History:English has a dying set of compound adverbs made up of where + a preposition in whichwhere means which. For example, the house wherein I reside means the house in which I reside. Thetools wherewith to complete the job means the tools with which to complete the job. This makes sense

with the original meaning of wherewithal: all with which (one needs to ...) It is odd for an adverb to slipinto the grammatical garb of a noun, but stranger things have happened in English.

MAVERICK (plus a note on gobbledygook)Pronunciation:m-vr-ikPart of Speech:Noun

Meaning:1. A calf or other animal that has left the herd and has not been branded, so that anyone whobrands it can claim ownership. 2. A garrulous individualist, an iconoclast who lives by his or her own ru-les, posing a threat to others.

Notes:Maverick is a maverick word, a garrulous individual with no lexical kin. It may, however, be usedas is adjectivally, Buck Shott is a maverick CEO who took a chance no one else would take to produceand market electric ice skates.

In Play:Although we generally use the term to refer to iconoclasts who pose some sort of threat, we owea lot to mavericks. Galileo and Charles Darwin were among the scientific mavericks who grandlyexpanded our understanding of the world. Henry Ford started out as a maverick who revolutionizedmanufacturing. Those of us who have been around for a while remember Bret (James Garner) and Bart(Jack Kelly) Maverick on the US TV show Maverick, popular in the 1960s or the 1994 movie reprise

with Mel Gibson. They were cowboys who lived around the edge of the law, mavericks among thecowboy heroes of the time in their lack of courage.

Word History:The eponym of todays word is Texas cattleman, Samuel Maverick (1803-1870), who let thecalves in his herd roam unbranded. Other ranchers, who initially adopted them, referred to them asMavericks but the term soon migrated into mavericks.

An interesting side note: Sams grandson, Maury Maverick, coined the word gobbledygook to describebureaucratic doubletalk. While serving in the U.S. Congress (1935-1939), he explained that he based the

word on the sound of turkeys (the flying kind) back in Texas, who were . . . always gobbledy-gobblingand strutting with ludicrous pomposity. At the end of this gobble there is, according to Maverick, a sortof gook.


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Useless Knowledge

1. The first stock market: Amsterdam

600 years ago Bruges, a thriving port in what is now Belgium, a money and debt market evolved in and

around the house of the Beurse family. 400 years ago the golden age of Bruges was past, as it no longer hada connection to the sea. A city 200 km north was at starting its golden age, and had become a global tradecenter: Amsterdam. Here, the Dutch East India Company financed its trade by selling shares. This trade inEast India Company shares became the first stock market. The Dutch word for stock market is beurs: theold Bruges family name lives on. The first shares may have lost their stock value, but they belong to themost sought-after collectors items. On http://www.oldest-share.com/index.html you can check the evi-dence. I wonder what would have happened if this kind of trade wouldnt have been invented. Some claim

this marks the start of capitalism.

Today, modesty reigns the stock markets, as itis now proven beyond any doubt, that its reallya casino, where greed, luck and reaction time

determine fortune, rather than clever reaso-ning. And as in a real casino, the guy who winslikes to think its his cleverness that made thedifference. This delusion is similar to what wehave seen in the stock markets and the busi-ness world these past few decades. Free for alleconomists dictated deregulation and nogovernmental interference. This is now past; allaround the world governments have interferedin attempts to limit and control the damage.Now, once again its looking for a new balance.

1. Amsterdam: the cradle of the stock market

2. Administratium: a scientific breakthrough

2. A Scientific Breakthrough

A major research institution has recently announced the discovery of the heaviest element yet known toscience. This new element has been tentatively named Administratium.

Administratium has 1 neutron, 12 assistant neutrons, 75 deputy neutrons, and 111 assistant deputy neu-trons, giving it an atomic mass of 312. These 312 particles are held together by particles called morons,

which are surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called peons.

Since Administratium has no electrons, it is inert. However, it can be detected as it impedes every reacti-on with which it comes into contact. A minute amount of Administratium causes one reaction to takemore than four days to complete when it would normally take less than a second.

Administratium has a normal half-life of three years; it does not decay but instead undergoes a reorgani-zation, in which a portion of the assistant neutrons and deputy neutrons and assistant deputy neutronsexchange places. In fact, Administratiums mass will actually increase over time, since each reorganizati-on causes some morons to become neutrons forming isodopes.

This characteristic of moron-promotion leads some scientists to speculate that Administratium is formedwhenever morons reach a certain quantity in concentration. This hypothetical quantity is referred to asCritical Morass. You will know it when you see it.

Logic takes you from A to B. Imagination takes you everywhere.Albert Einstein


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Wise Crackers

When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself.Wayne Dyer (1940-, American psychotherapist, author, lecturer)

Judgment DayHumans have a tendency to judge before collectingenough data to make a fair judgment. We judge, inter-pret, react emotionally, jump to conclusions, assume allkinds of things, prejudice instead of taking a littletime to find out whats REALLY going on. This is atrue booby trap in communication: once you hit it, theback flash is worse. This nearly incurable disease is amain cause of troublein particular, right wrong boxsituations (see Wisdom??? no. 13).

You need to be able to take a little distance, keep yourhead cool enough to allow yourself to observe reality as

it is; to be as objective as you can. This is a true skill:while the whole world wants you to react and respond,you make a clear analysis followed by your conclusion,and decision to share or not share your findings. Bo-ring? Sure.

Communication works only when its done voluntarily.And why add another unfounded opinion to the vastocean of pointless statements? To entertain? To fill anewspaper? To avoid silence in a conversation?

Sometimes I long for silence. The kind of silence thatheals your spirit, as youre disconnected from the ocean.

Lets leave judgments to Judges. Thats their job.

Right: summer of 2008Parnassia Beach, Holland

A Groovy Kind of Love

When Im feeling blueAll I have to doIs take a look at you

Then Im not so blueWhen youre close to meI can feel you heart beatI can hear you breathingIn my ear

Wouldnt you agree?

Baby, you and me got a groovy kind of love

Any time you want toYou can turn me on toAnything you want toAny time at allWhen I kiss your lipsOoh, I start to shiverCant control the quivering inside

Wouldnt you agree?Baby, you and me, we got a groovy kind of love

If you have a great

ambition, take as biga step as possible inthe direction of ful-filling it. The stepmay only be a tinyone, but trust that itmay be the largestone possible fornow.

Mildred Mcafee

The man who re-moves a mountainbegins by carryingaway small stones.

Chinese proverb


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Before reality there is a dream making it happen (2)

Space to dream your dream

Write it down.

Ready? Action!

2009 New Year Resolutions (Dont read before Dec. 31!)

Happy New Year Blogaholics. I hope you all had a great time with your families and loved ones. On the premise thatI normally do the opposite to my New Years Resolutions these are mine this year.

1. Gain weight. At least 30 pounds.2. Stop exercising. Waste of time.3. Read less. Makes you think.4. Watch more TV. Ive been missing some good stuff.5. Procrastinate more. Starting tomorrow.6. Spend my entire summer holiday in Yahoo! 360, MSN, MySpace, Friendster, Facebook, Tagged,LinkedIn & Plaxo.7. Create loose ends.8. Get further in debt.9. Believe everything the Politicians say.10. Break at least one traffic law.11. Spread out priorities beyond ability to keep track of them.12. Wait around for opportunity.13. Focus on the faults of others.14. Mope about my faults.15. Hog as much of the bed as I can.

(picked from a Yahoo! 360 blog)

But seriously(from Wisdom no. 3):

How to complete a goal

Here are the latest statistics from the American Society of Training and Development (ASTD) on theprobability of completing a goal:

Hear (Get) an idea 10% Consciously decide to adopt it 25%

Decide when you will do it 40% Plan how you will do it 50% Commit to someone else that you will do it 65%


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Find Your Voice, and Inspire Others to Use Theirs.

V OL UME 4, ISS UE 5 P AGE 8

The Rise & Rise of Stephen Coveys The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Many people dream of writing a book. Many of those dream of writing a bestselling book. When abestseller is a novel, the author dreams of it being turned into a movie. Or to receive the Nobel Prize forLiterature for it, one day. When a bestseller is non-fiction, the authors dream may be to have it turnedinto a documentary, or to have it promoted at major schools and universities as a recommended textbook. Sometimes the promotion of a book that becomes a bestseller leads to the author becoming somekind of Star. You see her or him on TV, read about her or his private life, or see an advertisement thatthe author will be in town to sign books, or to deliver a lecture. When the author is a fine public speaker,this may result in a very well paid activity. Many people like to see a famous person, and when you have afew million fans, they will come to see you when youre in town.

One of those famous authors is Stephen R. Covey. His bestselling book: The 7 Habits of HighlyEffective People, first came out in 1989. Soon to be 20 years ago. My 1990 edition carries the hreading:

over 10 million sold. Since then, it has always been available. What makes this book so popular? Itinspires people to follow the example of successful people. Not with impossible advice, but with simpleyet sharply formulated statements. And a use of words which arrive easily in our minds. Im not sure, buthe may be the one who popularized the word proactive. To understand the full meaning and use ofthese habits, read the book. To give you a taste, this is from the books contents:

Private Victory

Habit 1: Be ProactivePrinciples of Personal Vision

Habit 2: Begin with the End in MindPrinciples of Personal Leadership

Habit 3: Put First Things FirstPrinciples of Personal Management

Public Victory

Habit 4: Think Win/WinPrinciples of Interpersonal Leadership

Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be UnderstoodPrinciples of Empathic Communication

Habit 6: SynergizePrinciples of Creative Cooperation

Renewal

Habit 7: Sharpen the SawPrinciples of Balanced Self-Renewal.

15 years later, he published The 8th Habit: Find Your Voice, and Inspire Others to Use Theirs.

You can imagine that this final one is a very personalstatement from a man whose bestseller turned him into an

overnight VIP, kept his integrity alive, and has been livinghis habits himself. You could say, thats a 9th habit: be ashining example of your own beliefs.

Even after nearly 20 years, Coveys Habits are highlyreadable, and make total sense. Im curious to know howfar his views transgress cultural boundaries. If you haveread this book, and wish to comment on it, get in touch.

I guess its not a bad idea to write a bestseller. Now its amatter of finding the right words and razor sharpstatements. Covey is a master at this:

Motivation is a fire from within. If someoneelse tries to light that fire under you, chancesare it will burn very briefly. Stephen Covey


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Peter in Vietnam (1)


Left: Peter in Loeks Ho Chi Minh City hotel room,Nov. 15. Below: Peter with Vinh & his wife on thesteps of Vang Son Restaurant, where Loek & Janeswedding party was about to start.

Middle left: Nga (Anna), as seen by Peter from theback of her motorbike. Bottom left: 3 Saigon bikers.Bottom right: Anna with her parents in Binh Quoi

park, where they took Peter for lunch.


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V O LUME 4, IS SUE 5 PA GE 1 0

Wittenborgers

The final months of the year have been busy times at Wittenborg. Gra-duations, of course. Also, partying. Clockwise from top left: Graduate

Maarten Wender; Graduate Peter Zhang proudly showing his Bachelorcertificate (with Distinction); Lasantha observing a graduation assign-ment presentation (note his crutches); Mr. Peter Birdsall with alumnus/staff Florentin Popescu and (former) HR lady Marion Balke; Graduates

Alexander de Jonge Oudraat & Jelle Visser; Peter Z. with graduation-thesis Big Boss: Dick Bos, and in the middle a very happy Lasantha.


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Servant Leadership

Remember Ciao in Wisdom no. 13? The original meaning is I am your servant. Since business man andentrepreneur mr. Robert K. Greenleaf introduced the concept in 1970, servant leadership has been recogni-

zed worldwide as a universal, yet practical management philosophy. With it comes a tool box that is beingtaught all over the planet, under the supervision of the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership. Many ma-nagement schools and universities have now included it in their curriculum.

As with all sound systems, its based on experience, and common sense. It has been thoroughly tested in ma-ny situations. The ultimate test is applying it in different cultures. Sofar, there is a rapidly growing interest inServant Leadership in Asia: entrepreneurs in India, Singapore, China, Vietnam and Malaysia are showing ac-tive interest. In 2009 I hope to be part of its further introduction in Asia. To give you a flavor of what its allabout, these are the Ten Characteristics of a Servant Leader:

1. Listening (others; self; reflection)

2. Empathy (recognizing, accepting uniqueness in people)

3. Healing (transformation and integration of self and others)

4. Awareness (general, esp. self-awareness)

5. Persuasion (rather than use of authority)

6. Conceptualization (think the future; dream great dreams; beyond every day reality)

7. Foresight (learning from the past, realities of the present; consequences of decision)

8. Stewardship (holding something in trust for another)

9. Commitment to growth of people (each individual within the organization)

10. Building community (within the organization)

What makes these 10 characteristics extra interesting, is that they do not only apply to leaders and topmanagers. They are also 100% applicable on an individual level: evidence of a sound system. In fact, youcould say that these are basic competencies for living and working. Imagine you and your career, you andyour family, you and your team mates.

The current CEO of the Greenleaf Center, dr. Kent M. Keith, recently published a book: The Case forServant Leadership. One part describes the differences between the traditional power model of leadership,and the service model. Another title of interest is Its not About Coffee, by Howard Beharthe man

who made Starbucks great, and himself a Servant Leader. Both are affordable, and can be ordered athttp://www.greenleaf.org/index.html.

It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first.Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead.

Robert K. Greenleaf


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Useless Knowledge (2)

YOU OWN TWO COWS

When working in intercultural environments, it works best to avoid topics that deal with religion and

politics. Still, these are part of everyday life, and one needs to know something about them. As religion isan even more sensitive topic, Ill avoid that here. Politics however, can be illustrated in a simple way. Nodefinitions, learning by example (source unknown).

Feodalism

You own two cows. The landowner takes a part of the milk.

Socialism

You own two cows. Government puts them in collective stables. You have to take care of someoneelses cows. You get as much milk as you need.

Bureaucratic socialism

You own two cows. Government puts them in collective stables. They are being taken care of by chic-ken-farmers. You have to take care of the chicken. You get as much milk as the rules allow you to.

Capitalism

You own two cows. You sell oneand buy a bull.

Dictatorship

You own two cows. Governmenttakes them and shoots them.

Anarchy

You own two cows. You sell

your own milk on a commonmarket for a fair price. Meanwhi-le, your neighbours steal yourcows and get away unpunished.

Bureaucracy

You own two cows. First govern-ment determines what to feedthem. Then you are paid not tomilk them. Next, one cow isslaughtered. The milk of the other one is destroyed. Finally, you have to fill in forms to explain the cowthat disappeared.

This way of dealing with tough topics can be quite enlightening. Here are some more examples:

Trust

You have two cows. You go on holiday and ask your friend to take care of them while youre away. Youreturn and they are in great shape.

Marriage

You have two handsome cows. You introduce them to two handsome bulls.

Employment

You have two cows. You give the money you make to the person who takes care of them.

Financial crisisYou have two cows. You put a fence around them and make sure the taxman doesnt find out you havetwo cows. Or two hundred thousand.


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China snap shots: our usual suspects


The past is an illusion. You must learn to live in the present

and accept yourself for what you are now. What you lack in flexibilityand agility you must make up with knowledge and constant practice.

Bruce Lee (1940-1973) Chinese-American Actor, Director, Author, Martial Artist

Top left: Liu Fan (Sarah) back home in Nanning. Above: Liu Yan

(Eileen) congratulating Zhou Lincheng (Apple) on her 25th birthday.Below left: Joe & Chrissie ready to get married. Below right: Yan VanRooij-Chen (Morgan) on holiday in Shangri-La.

Right: this symbolizes a happy andsuccessful marriage - a wonderful andworking combination of characters. AChinese symbol that is present at everyVietnamese wedding.


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Writing is organizing thoughts into a message

Its not always easy to express thoughts and turn them into a clear message. You all know about writtenexams: the pressure is on, you must show what you know within a short time, and in a few sentences.

Many times I have witnessed the mental and creative struggle of students. And many times I have seenresults that impressed me: the fruits of this struggle. Sometimes, outright brilliant. At other times though, agood student would have an off day: the words didnt come out right, and despite the effort, the exam

was but a weak representation of what the student really knew, or could do.

Writing is a skill. One of those skills you need to practiceagain and again. Every day. When I dont writefor a few weeks, I always face a slow start. Some of the routine has worn off, and I need to get it back.How? By writing some more. One of my teachers told me that one should write for at least 30 minutes perday. He did so himself. He taught me that writing is organizing your thoughts into a message. And whenyou do this every day for at least half an hour, your mind will be clear, ready to think rational thoughts, toreason, to use logic. He also said, that most thoughts are based on emotions.

At first, I rejected this. Only to find out through the years that most of my thoughts and actions are indeedbased upon my personal feelings. He was so right! When I asked him about jokes, funny stories, and myfavorite entertainment: absurd humor (from Charlie Chaplin to Mr. Bean and Little Britain) he said:Only very bright minds can make top quality, universally liked, timeless comedy. They require a fantasticamount of logic and rationality.

The past few years we witness an explosion in writing. Millions of people follow their inner urge to sharethoughts with the world, and create blogs. No one to correct them, they just write, write, and write somemore. For whom? Thats often the question. But the real writer writes for those that pick up her/his lineof thought. A public of thousands, or just one. So a writer can be very happy receiving just one piece offeedback from a reader who shows understanding, or appreciation.

Writing could be said to be an attempt to find someone that agrees with you, rationally and emotionally.

An empathic and understanding reader. Without that someone, writing is a pretty sad affair: a dialoguewith one self. Language is a vehicle to express our thoughts. I hope one day a universal translation machi-ne will be invented. Not the ones they use today: current translation software is by far not smart enough toproduce decent translations. On the contrary, they often produce nonsense. The problem: computers can-not recognize feelings, subtleties, and humor. They cannot organize thoughts. They are uninhabited. LH

When someone asks me: What should I write about? I tellhim or her: look at an image, ask many questions, let yourfantasy answer them, tell the story that comes to life, andwrite it down. Refine it later. Try it. Use the image on theright as your inspiration. Whats going on here? What arethey looking at? What is their relationship? Etcetera.

Right: a NobelPrize winner sig-ning his book: theTurkish authorOrhan Pamuk.

Until you get dissatisfied, you wont do anything to really move your life to another level.Dissatisfaction is a gem. If youre totally satisfied, youre going to get comfortable. And then your

life begins to deteriorate.Anthony Robbins (1960-, American author, trainer)


15/31


Bill Harris Thoughts on Dealing with Tough Times

Recently, Bill Harris, Director of Centerpointe (www.centerpointe.com) published an article which Ithink contains some really good advice.

Is all the financial turmoil not to mention the already-existing political/election and terrorist/war stress getting to you? Were all connected to the financial system, and though many people have become complacentagain after the bailouts, and because no huge institutions have failed in the last couple of weeks, many experts saythe worst is yet to come. So what can you do? Are we facing a depression like the 1930s? How bad will it get? Thereal question, though, is how can you prepare yourself, financially and emotionally, for what might happen. Id liketo offer my advice, for whatever its worth.

First, though I think things could get very bad, the world isnt going to come to an end. As things get worse, somepeople WILL say that its coming to an end, but when and if you begin to hear that, it will be a signal that thingsare about to get better. Such comments invariably come when things have gotten as bad as theyre going to get.Second, though its tempting to do so, I would avoid finger-pointing and trying to figure out who to blame.Though there are some people who ARE to blame, in other ways this debacle is a universal cultural event, notsomething caused by mean and greedy people in some smoke-filled back room.

For the entire lifetimes of most people reading this, buying whatever you want, but before you have the money, hasbeen the accepted thing to do. Everyone else seemed to be doing it, and the idea that it might not be the smartthing to do (spend money before you actually have it) just hasnt occurred to a lot of people.This has resulted inmany people ending up in debt, which means you spent tomorrows money yesterday. When tomorrow comes, youeither have to live on less money, or add MORE debt, which just forestalls the inevitable payback.

To keep the game going, credit markets become more and more leveraged. The bankers did just what they alwaysdo, and what the public wanted them to do they figured out better and better ways to allow people, corporati-ons, and other institutions to buy things before they actually had the money to pay for them. The criteria for whoactually had the ability to repay became less and less realistic.

Anyone in the financial industry who didnt provide this sort of easy credit to people was at a disadvantage, so thegame continued until people who had no money were buying houses they couldnt afford to pay for. No one,though, can live on credit forever, and the chickens are now coming home to roost.

I dont have a crystal ball, but I think were facing a massive and fundamental change in the way money works inthis society, and its going to involve a period of tough times. So, what can you do?

First, I would suggest focusing on what you can do to improve your own situation, rather than finding someone toblame, as tempting as it might be. People who feel helpless blame others. Dont be helpless. If you focus on whatyou can do, youll save yourself a lot of frustration and aggravation. If you like to feel angry and frustrated, then byall means blame everyone in sight.

Next, realize that as things become more uncertain financially, politically, and in other ways people will beginto feel helpless. They will feel more isolated and separate. When this happens its easier to become more self-involved. Instead of thinking only of yourself, become more aware of other people and their needs. Yes, look foryour own opportunities, and then help other people see their opportunities the positives in their own lives. Be-come a source of inspiration to others.

Crises feed on fear. Help others to look for the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit that exists even in the worstsituations. If you do this, others will look to you for leadership, and your own fortunes will improve in ways youcant even imagine.

Yes, look for your own opportunities, and then help other people see their opportunities thepositives in their own lives. Become a source of inspiration to others. Bill Harris


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PAGE 16VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5

Thoughts on Dealing with Tough Times (continued)

In terms of your finances, search for solutions for your customers or your employer. See the other persons point of

view and figure out a way to solve the problems they face. If you do this, your business will thrive while others arefailing. If you are an employee, youll have a job when others are being laid off.

My next suggestion is to let go of your attachments to things. Instead, emphasize the value of your relationships.Material things are nice, but life is really about love and friendship. If you have these things, and cultivate them, yourlife will be more meaningful, no matter what the economic conditions.

From a business perspective, focusing on your relationships will strengthen your ability to survive no matter howbad things get. Sincerely think of the other person and his or her needs. In good times its easy to succeed and eventhe worst-run business can at least make some money. In tough times, those who really care about their customersor their employer, and do their best to discover and meet their needs, succeed while others are failing.

If youve lost money, or customers, or a job, instead of focusing on what youve lost, focus on potential opportuni-ties and what you can do now. Leave the past in the past, whatever it was, and look to whats next. And, be willingto be flexible enough to change, to do something different.

Who knows? Perhaps your losses are the doorway to some amazing new endeavor or adventure that will changeyour life for the better and which might never have happened if those losses youve experienced hadnt happe-ned. Forget about who you were and begin to dream about who you can be.

Id also encourage you to get rid of what if? thinking. Focus on what you want, and what you can do to get it.Theres no value or benefit in worrying about the future. Yes, think of the potential challenges, but only to help you

generate plans and solutions that you can take action on now. If theres something you cant do anything about, sur-render to it, and then move on.

When something dreadful happens and it might move immediately to, Okay, that has happened. What aremy options? What can I do now? Focusing on what has gone wrong has no value. Focusing on what to do next hasgreat value.

You say you dont have the tools, resources, or help you need to move ahead? Resolve to do the best with whateveris available. Take action anyway. This will give you confidence, and this additional confidence will allow you to findand utilize additional resources even when it initially seemed like there are none.

Spend time every day before falling asleep and when you first wake up is an excellent time thinking aboutwhat you have to be grateful for. Gratitude can make you happy, and happy people seem to attract what they need.

Look for ways to help others, especially those who dont seem to be able to help themselves. Do it without expec-ting anything in return. Do it just because were all in this together. Go the extra mile for your friends, your custo-mers, your employer, and even for total strangers. People so want someone to really care about them. If you dothis, youll never be alone and your life will be fulfilling no matter what is happening.

Bill Harris (www.centerpointe.com)

Go the extra mile for your friends, your customers, your employer, and even for total strangers.People so want someone to really care about them. If you do this, youll never be alone and

your life will be fulfilling no matter what is happening.


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You always pass failure on the way to success.Mickey Rooney (American Actor; Judy Garlands longtime acting partner in her youth)



Pics are by Peter, except theone of the hotel. This iswhere he and Loek stayedbefore the marriage. Petermade many pictures of theSaigon Street Life. Hewould ask someone for pe-mission to take his or her

picture. Language or culturewould no longer be a barrier

to communication. Petermade several webalbums onPicasa. If you want to viewthem, let us know, and wellsend you the links.


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Great DDU moments: February 2005 Graduates (+)


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Deventer

Dont wait. The time will never be just right. Napoleon Hill

Deventer, November 8During my walks from Petershouse to school, Ive passed these locations many times.

When the whole world seems to change, these spots remainthe same. This is quite comforting: some things in life youcan rely on. Im writing this the day after I took these pictu-res. Within a few hours, Singapore Airlines will fly me toHo Chi Minh City. I said goodbye to Deventer yesterday,bur when I return in January, I know one thing for sure:Deventer will still be Deventer. Sure, the trees will be leaf-less, it will be colder. But those are small details.

There will be many days when you can make pictures likethese. Deventer may change its complexion, not its face.

Ho Chi Minh City, December 5Today in The Nether-

lands its Sinterklaas. Here, Jane washed her 5 dogs and theydried in the sun within minutes. On the internet I see theweather is simply awful, cold, rain. What a contrast withthis city! Still, a part of me longs to be in Deventer in De-cember, when the preparations for the Dickens days are infull swing and the city lights are at their prettiest. Peter mai-led me the difference in temperature caused him to catch acold. Or did he just miss Vietnam?

Top: Bergkerk in the morningmist. Above: shop lady prepa-ring her window for Sinter-klaas and Xmas. Middle left:Brink square with fruit fromother continents.

Left: Deventer, November22. The first winters day inDeventer. AnneliesPeterswifewrote Loek & Janes

names in fresh Deventer ice,and made a picture.


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Behind every piano theres a story

When Im at Van Kerkwijks Pianos Im surrounded by piano sounds. Even when no ones plays them. The piano is my favorite musi-cal instrument. At Van Kerkwijk they restore old Steinways and Petrovs, and know what makes a Bsendorfer so outstanding. And

yet, they do appreciate the great qualities of a Yamaha electric grand piano. Below you see a performance of 5 world class musicians in theVan Kerkwijk showroom: Louis van Dijk (piano), Frits Landesbergen (Vibraharp), and the famous Rosenberg Trio featuring StocheloRosenbergthe guys who stepped into the footsteps of legendary Django Reinhardt. The Rosenbergs live in Nuenen, the village whereVan Gogh spent his youth. During a workshop I photographed Karin van Kerkwijk, manager, and Ton op de Beek, salesman. Betweenthe Yamaha and the Bsendorfer you see a 53,000 concert piano. When you touch a key on this piano, and youre not moved, youhave a serious defect. One day you may find me at your doorstep with a number of cds, trying to cure you. Pianos are carriers of pure

emotion, able to move the hearts & souls of people all over the world. Especially, when played by someone who is also pure emotion.

The piano is a big instrument. You cant just take it alongwith you. In the 18th and 19th centuries it conquered Euro-pe and North America, in the 20th century the world. Now

you can find pianos in the remotest locations. The pianoplayer on the left regarded the piano as a complete orches-tra. In his case, a jazz band. When you hear him play, youcan almost hear which instrument he would use for whichpart. The man on the right is a one man band, who evol-

ved from ragtime to a timeless style that is practiced bymillions all over the planet. His name: James P. Johnson.

Around 1916, when he was 22, he had a surprise hit withCarolina Shout. The man on the left heard this tune, andtried to copy it. He tried very hard, and eventually masteredit. He became the no. 1 big band leader: Duke Ellington.


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From Loeks family vaults

Clockwise,from top left:GrandmotherHopstaken,GrandfatherHopstaken,my parentswedding pictu-re (1933),and myGrandparents

from Mothersside.


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Rules for a happy workplace

Other peoples opinion of you does not have to become your reality.Les Brown (1945-, American speaker, author, trainer, motivation lecturer)

It is said that to have a game, one needs a purpose, some freedoms, and a set of sound rules. Also, itshouldnt be too easy. When working with graduation project teams, I like to help them build a sound basis

for the team. It was interesting to see what rules the students came up with, and especially, what punish-ments they crafted in case a team member would break a rule. Recently I found a set of rules that could ap-ply to project teams, but also to a workplace environment. Its a different, but good advice:

1. Do your best to create and maintain a positive atmosphere.

2. When you correct another, do it understandingly en after serious consideration; dont act on impulse.

3. Ask yourself: Is it important? in order to prevent hurry-hurry.

4. Do not bring another colleague down. It spoils the atmosphere.

5. Relay information that may be of importance to another instead of keeping it, in an attempt to savehim or her from trouble.

6. Remember: when two colleagues have a fight, the whole workplace, to some degree, is fighting aswell.

7. Dont do or say things that will upset the other.

8. Avoid circuitry: dont repeat the same sound, song or phrase: whether you do it on purpose, or simp-ly, when you are aware of this.

9. Stimulate an atmosphere where people feel free to make mistakes, and when they do, react responsib-lyincluding, honestly confessing the mistake, and staying composed.

Some people believe that be-cause of their differences, two

worlds will eventually clash. Idont. I believe that differen-ces are ingredients for newrealities. To me this imagerepresents a meeting of twopeople, resulting in a harmo-nious blending of their

worlds. LH


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Faits Divers

Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and theword happy would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness.

It is far better to take things as they come along with patience andequanimity. Carl Jung (1875-1961, Swiss psychiatrist)

The bridge across the IJsselwas made world famous in1976 by a movie: A Bridge

Too Far. This WWII movietells the story of the failedattempt to drive the Nazis outof Arnhem, in 1944. The mo-

viemakers were looking for abridge that resembled the onein Arnhem, and found thisone in Deventer. Rememberthis was before computer ani-mation became the standard.So parts of the movie wereshot in Deventer, and the citymade sure it benefited fromthis event.

Photo made by Peter, from his bal-cony.

Within each of us is a hidden store of energy. Energy we can release tocompete in the marathon of life. Within each of us is a hidden store ofcourage. Courage to give us the strength to face any challenge. Within

each of us is a hidden store of determination. Determination to keepus in the race when all seems lost.Roger Dawson (British Born American Negotiation Expert, Speaker, Author)

Left: a GreatCook in HoChi MinhCity in asmall sidestreet, a 3table restau-rant: our

favoritebreakfast

place.

Right: Petersfavorite de-sert.


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See also: www.mywedding.com/loekjane

Jane & Loeks engagement (Peters pics)

Ho Chi Minh City, Nov. 16Lien Huong (Jane) and Loek celebrated their engagement in a traditional Vietnamese way. The eventtook place at Janes house, the weather was perfect and so was the ceremony. Apart from the family members and close family friends, ourDDU friends whom Loek & Jane always met during Loeks four previous visits to Vietnam made the event even more special: Tran ThiHuyen Nga (Anna), Tran Thu Thao (Amy), Tran Trong Van (Van) and Tran Cong Duc (Tony). Van & Tony helped Loek bringhis trays with gifts from his hotel to Janes house. On the picture you also see Peter, Amys husband Nhat, and Annas friend.


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Jane & Loeks wedding (Peters pics)

Nov. 22 the marriage in Man Coi Church,with family, Peter, Monique and her hus-band David. DDU alumni Chris Phamand Tung (Fire) had come over from Ha-noi. The party at Vang Son was a majorsuccess. Happiness & laughter!


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Phu Quoc: an unspoilt honeymoon destination


After our wedding, we flew to the island of Phu Quoc, off the southwest coast of Vietnam. Within a few years this marvelous tropical

paradise will become another centre for mass tourism. We enjoyedits natural beauty, its roughness, its quietness, its sunrises, its sun-sets, its food, and each other.

Clockwise from top left: our cottage, as seen from the beach; in thenearby butterfly garden; sunset at sea, while getting ready for squid

fishing; a fisherman passing by while having breakfast; the 2 of us.



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If what you did yesterday seems big, you havent done anything today.Lou Holtz (1937-, American football coach)

From Nov. 1524 Peter was Loek & Janes guest in Ho Chi Minh City. He attended both their engagement and wedding, and inthe meantime, absorbed the HCMC life. Clockwise from top left: in front of a typical HCMC advertising wall; meeting Tom & Tom-my; eating his first pho; contacting HCMC citizens by collecting images of Saigon streetlife; completing a wrap; rehearsing for his songduring the church service; having dinner with Nga (Anna) & Loek.

Toasting with Tom & Tommy


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Abundance in HCMC: guess the origins


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Deventer: Dickens Day 2008 (Peters pics)


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The Look of Love (music: Burt Bacharach; lyrics: Hal David)

The look of loveIs in your eyes

The look your smile cant disguiseThe look of love

Is saying so much moreThan just words could ever sayAnd what my heart has heardWell it takes my breath away

I can hardly wait to hold youFeel my arms around youHow long I have waitedWaited just to love you

Now that I have found you

Youve got the look of loveIts on your face

A look that time cant eraseBe mine tonight

Let this be just the startOf so many nights like this

Lets take a lovers vowAnd then seal it with a kiss

I can hardly wait to hold youFeel my arms around youHow long I have waited

Waited just to love youNow that I have found you

Dont ever goI love you so

Best performance: Dusty Springfield


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WHAT ISWISDOM???

Sofar, What isWisdom??? is published4x a year. When youwant to see your storiesand pictures in the nextedition, make sure Ihave it/them at leasttwo weeks beforepublication.

All correspondence:[email protected].

Amsterdam/Ho ChiMinh City/DeventerDecember 23, 2008

HOPSTAKEN INTERNATIONAL AMSTERDAM HCMC DEVENTER

VO L UME 4 , ISSUE 5 P AGE 31

Since the 60ies of the 20th Century Amsterdam has a magnetic attraction onyoung people. As soon as I could afford a train ticket, Id go there to checkout the local music and theatre scene.

Most students of DDU and Wittenborg use(d) the opportunity to check outthis city. Thousands of pictures must have been taken on Dam Square, andother famous sites. The Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House andone other museum (what was that name again?) are no. 1 attractions.

Amsterdam is working on image improvement. Call it a necessary facelift.

When I was in the USA for a few months, the only two items on the newsabout Holland were about drugs and prostitution. As you can imagine, thisdidnt make me feel comfortable. The red light district is now under fire: thecity isnt happy with this kind of tourist attraction. Another attraction, theoffee shop, is still there. For how long? If I had my way, Id turn the citycentre into a World Heritage Site close the coffee shops. And only allowaccess to cars belonging to inhabitants & delivery vans for shops. Till 10 am.

Left: a wedding gift fromHolland. The good old

pepper & salt set has

evolved. Which one ispeper, which one salt?

what is wisdom 14

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