Vigilant is not such a comm
on word and I looked it up and it means to be watchful, alert, observant and attentive for danger or trouble. It was a good advice by Allister Heath in his article entitled, "A tough year looms as recession bites', 23/12/2008 in City A.M., a free daily I got each morning at Canary Wharf. Allister, the editor said, "We must remain vigilant and not assume that the government will make the economy better. It is just as likely to make it even worse." Allister said that governments could be saddled with lots of bad debts, forcing them to print more money and cause inflation even in the midst of a recession, leading banks to charge high rates for lending, causing the whole credit system to crumble and the government to step in to regulate currency and credit in socialist style. He did admit that many of his views could be too pessimistic, but there is much need for vigilance and to expect 2009 to be a tough year and not to underestimate the severity of the recession. I did not want to highlight this earlier, so that this blog post now will gain more acceptance, together with the other posts I blogged before the full blown nature of the recession about the need to S.A.V.E. (17/9/2008) and to be cautiously optimistic (7/10/2008). Even when things look up slightly, one should ensure that the right principles govern our actions such that we do not fall into any trap that we should regret. Such traps such as stock market rebounds, purchasing properties without sufficient savings, making large investments in business without adequate capital or studying the market well, making large financial commitments such as moving to a new country by spending a fortune in children education and accomodations without subsidy from the company. The bottom line is do not be greedy and excessively ambitious without sufficient savings. But, what are practical steps to be vigilant to ensure we are safe? They are actually the same advice that Jesus and the apostles gives to Christians to be vigilant against the enemy Satan, against temptations and against false teachings which is to have sufficient knowledge, be always prayerful and guard against our excessiveness and sinful nature, knowing ourselves well, be contented and not chase after the unnecessary and knowing dangers to avoid. I have coined another acronym A.L.E.R.T. (Acquire knowledge, Learn about ourselves, be at Ease with what we have, Reflect and act slowly, stay clear from the Tempters).
on word and I looked it up and it means to be watchful, alert, observant and attentive for danger or trouble. It was a good advice by Allister Heath in his article entitled, "A tough year looms as recession bites', 23/12/2008 in City A.M., a free daily I got each morning at Canary Wharf. Allister, the editor said, "We must remain vigilant and not assume that the government will make the economy better. It is just as likely to make it even worse." Allister said that governments could be saddled with lots of bad debts, forcing them to print more money and cause inflation even in the midst of a recession, leading banks to charge high rates for lending, causing the whole credit system to crumble and the government to step in to regulate currency and credit in socialist style. He did admit that many of his views could be too pessimistic, but there is much need for vigilance and to expect 2009 to be a tough year and not to underestimate the severity of the recession. I did not want to highlight this earlier, so that this blog post now will gain more acceptance, together with the other posts I blogged before the full blown nature of the recession about the need to S.A.V.E. (17/9/2008) and to be cautiously optimistic (7/10/2008). Even when things look up slightly, one should ensure that the right principles govern our actions such that we do not fall into any trap that we should regret. Such traps such as stock market rebounds, purchasing properties without sufficient savings, making large investments in business without adequate capital or studying the market well, making large financial commitments such as moving to a new country by spending a fortune in children education and accomodations without subsidy from the company. The bottom line is do not be greedy and excessively ambitious without sufficient savings. But, what are practical steps to be vigilant to ensure we are safe? They are actually the same advice that Jesus and the apostles gives to Christians to be vigilant against the enemy Satan, against temptations and against false teachings which is to have sufficient knowledge, be always prayerful and guard against our excessiveness and sinful nature, knowing ourselves well, be contented and not chase after the unnecessary and knowing dangers to avoid. I have coined another acronym A.L.E.R.T. (Acquire knowledge, Learn about ourselves, be at Ease with what we have, Reflect and act slowly, stay clear from the Tempters). 
I
am not an expert in religion, nor business. Though, I believe we learn more and receive more when we strive to give the little we have, hence this humble attempt to provide tips I find helpful as I reflect. In times of recession, the decisions that we make are especially important since a wrong move causes a greater fall, a slight mistake incurs a larger loss, a bad business strategy would not invite any small profits as would in a boom economy. Hence the need to Acquire knowledge and not trust a single source or from what people say (including my blog). Spend time to read about economics, your work industry, global business, how interest rates and currency would affect your financial decisions, why its important to check on rental yields before buying a property. This will ensure you make decision based on good principles and sound research and not just by following the herd or by your own emotions. It is equally important that we Learn about ourselves and remember how we perform in good times and bad times and be confident about our roles and identity. This will help us to prioritize on what is important taking account of our strengths and weaknesses, understand that we are not the same 
as others and should not necessarily follow the example of others if we are not ready. The Christian would remember that there is only one example to emulate which is Christ Jesus and that we are sufficiently loved by God that we need not be worried and be making any decisions to receive love through other means. It is hence important to be contented and be at Ease with the things that we have. In fact, we should always be thankful and count our blessings and not chase after unnecessary pleasures. This will ensure our decisions are made without greed or a desire to have more, but on an objective basis. We should instead be slow in making decisions but to spend more time to Reflect on the outcome of the decision so that we may not fall into any excessiveness. Dangerous times are certainly not times to make rash decisions, to gamble in currencies and stocks or any financial instrument without first assessing the options carefully. Last but not least, the need to be in the right crowd of people with a careful outlook of life and to steer away from those who could or would Tempt us to make incorrect decisions or vices. For the Christian, it is certainly times to be praying more, to read the bible and adhere to the teachings to avoid all kinds of vices and sinful habits, to be contented with God and seek to discover the purpose He has for us which is to be a blessing to others. Difficult times are meant for us to consolidate ourselves to reflect, trim away excessiveness and question the need for them, reprioritise based on a better understanding of ourselves and if possible seek after the right path that we may reap blessings when the time is right. It may be a time to think about being a good daddy and husband and how to lay good foundations so we can move forward even in better times. It may seem like a strong message, but the bible says, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8) There is a time for extra vigilance against temptations and the time is probably now, though ideally we should of course be on guard at all times.
am not an expert in religion, nor business. Though, I believe we learn more and receive more when we strive to give the little we have, hence this humble attempt to provide tips I find helpful as I reflect. In times of recession, the decisions that we make are especially important since a wrong move causes a greater fall, a slight mistake incurs a larger loss, a bad business strategy would not invite any small profits as would in a boom economy. Hence the need to Acquire knowledge and not trust a single source or from what people say (including my blog). Spend time to read about economics, your work industry, global business, how interest rates and currency would affect your financial decisions, why its important to check on rental yields before buying a property. This will ensure you make decision based on good principles and sound research and not just by following the herd or by your own emotions. It is equally important that we Learn about ourselves and remember how we perform in good times and bad times and be confident about our roles and identity. This will help us to prioritize on what is important taking account of our strengths and weaknesses, understand that we are not the same 
as others and should not necessarily follow the example of others if we are not ready. The Christian would remember that there is only one example to emulate which is Christ Jesus and that we are sufficiently loved by God that we need not be worried and be making any decisions to receive love through other means. It is hence important to be contented and be at Ease with the things that we have. In fact, we should always be thankful and count our blessings and not chase after unnecessary pleasures. This will ensure our decisions are made without greed or a desire to have more, but on an objective basis. We should instead be slow in making decisions but to spend more time to Reflect on the outcome of the decision so that we may not fall into any excessiveness. Dangerous times are certainly not times to make rash decisions, to gamble in currencies and stocks or any financial instrument without first assessing the options carefully. Last but not least, the need to be in the right crowd of people with a careful outlook of life and to steer away from those who could or would Tempt us to make incorrect decisions or vices. For the Christian, it is certainly times to be praying more, to read the bible and adhere to the teachings to avoid all kinds of vices and sinful habits, to be contented with God and seek to discover the purpose He has for us which is to be a blessing to others. Difficult times are meant for us to consolidate ourselves to reflect, trim away excessiveness and question the need for them, reprioritise based on a better understanding of ourselves and if possible seek after the right path that we may reap blessings when the time is right. It may be a time to think about being a good daddy and husband and how to lay good foundations so we can move forward even in better times. It may seem like a strong message, but the bible says, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8) There is a time for extra vigilance against temptations and the time is probably now, though ideally we should of course be on guard at all times.
Don't you think each of us need to put extra efforts to be vigilant? In this age of excessiveness, vigilance is less exercised than the instinct to consume lavishly and act quickly. My faithful readers, what do you think?
(Photos show Buckingham Palace, Royal Exchange, the Gherkin and Bank of England, symbols of power, wealth and financial strength of England. Soli Deo Honor Et Gloria, the coat of arms at a gate to St Helen's Place meaning All glory and Honor to God alone, used by a 16th century Spanish mystic and poet St John of the Cross).
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