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The past week represented a turning point in the Singapore landscape. The passing of our founding Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, shook a nation, and prompted us all, a nation of grumbling complainers, to become markedly more patient, tolerant and downright kind in waiting in line to pay our final respects to the man to undoubtedly brought Singapore to where it is today.

Although Singapore is not without its own set of problems today, they are for today’s leaders to solve. He had to do what he did in order to ensure the survival of Singapore, then in a very precarious situation from the merger and subsequent separation from Malaysia.

While watching the live funeral procession on Sunday, and the subsequent interviews with foreign dignitaries, I came across this clip with the King of Bhutan, who recounted his experience with Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. When he asked Mr. Lee for advice, LKY told him, Ït’s not how you begin the journey, it’s how you end it.”

Elsewhere on the internet, we find text everywhere espousing about the journey, and not worrying about the end. We’d hear advice saying “it’s all about the journey”, and I just thought it interesting how 2 very contradicting pieces of advice this was, and if there was an underlying philosophy, or which types of people sat on which side of the fence.

My take is that leaders would take on the former philosophy of the ends justifies the means, and that it’s how you end the journey that counts, while followers prefer to take on the scenery and enjoy the ride, because at the end of the journey, they actually have nothing to show for.  (This might probably be why I see a lot more of “enjoy the ride” types of advice, because let’s face it, there are infinitely more followers than leaders in the world)

Let’s see how Mr. Lee lived his advice to the King of Bhutan.

http://mountaintopcampground.com/new-guest-cabin-mountain-top-campground/?msg=fail The Beginning

He co-founded the PAP in 1954, and first won the Tanjong Pagar seat in 1955. In the 1959 National Elections, the PAP won 43 out of 51 seats, making him the first Prime Minister of Singapore. This was a time of chaos, a time of rebuilding after WWII, and definitely a time of uncertainty across the world.

He’d also led the meger and subsequent separation from Malaysia from 1963 – 1965. Post independence in 1965 was another huge test for LKY’s cabinet, in a bid to show the world that we can stand up on our own, and be accounted for in the world, that we’re not just making up the numbers on Earth.

The End

By the time he’d left us on 23 Mar, 2015, we’ve become arguably the most successful nation in Southeast Asia in economic terms, have world renowned land, sea and air infrastructures, and have even “won” the not-sure-if-i’m-proud-of-it title of world’s most expensive city.

He’s built up a nation that is now attracting huge foreign investments, and which often acts as a hub into the rest of Asia.

He’s left his family with an abundance of wealth and opened doors that will pave the path for future successes downstream.

So yes, it’s not how you begin the journey, but how you end it. And that’s the mark of a true and impactful leader.

Thanks to all the celebrities doing it the past few weeks, you must have heard of the ALS Ice Bucket challenge by now. Celebrities have taken the challenge by storm, and in the process, helped raise awareness and fundraise for ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), a progressive neurological degenerative disease for which there is currently no cure.

A quick search on ALS ice bucket challenge will yield you videos ranging from Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Chris Pratt, Jimmy Fallon, Taylor Swift, Chloe Grace Moretz and many more taking the challenge, and in turn issuing their challenge to keep the viral factor going.

Here’s Chris Pratt

Bill Gates (as challenged by Mark Zuckerberg)

And here’s Lady Gaga doing the challenge the only way she knows how (creepily)

I think using the power of celebrity to raise awareness, and raise funds to fight ALS is brilliant.

Not to take anything away from this campaign, and I may be (or probably am) totally off-base here, but I’d like to bring to your attention another deadly and rare disease.

Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)

Multiple System Atrophy, like ALS, is a neurological degenerative disorder. Like ALS, there isn’t currently a cure, and likewise, the prognosis is poor. ALS affects roughly 2 in 100,000 people. MSA roughly 4.6 in 100,000 people. It’s been almost 2 years since my mother was taken by MSA, and experiencing firsthand how debilitating this disease is, I really hope for a breakthrough in finding a cure for this horrible disease.

Taken apart, they’re both considered rare, but together, their fatality rate makes one sit up and take notice. I may be simplifying things, but since both are neurological degenerative diseases with similar symptoms and conditions, will a breakthrough in one study help with research in the other?

Is it worth thinking about pooling efforts, sharing research and working through this together?

Update: Here’s a bonus. Lotame’s very own VP of Client Success Zach Boisi getting iced!

National Council on Problem Gambling Singapore bets big against Germany in a banner to warn against excessive gambling.

Loses.

Yay! Daddy say tonight go W Hotel Staycation!

Tomorrow (20th March) is the International Day of Happiness. (Yes, there’s actually a day to remind ourselves to be happy. Says alot about how unhappy we are, right?)

Happiness, means different things to different people. Also, at different phases in our lives, our definition of happiness would also ebb and flow. As a child, happiness could simply mean seeing your parents come back from work to spend playtime with you. Or perhaps an ice-cream could have done the trick too.

As we grow up, attaining happiness becomes a lot more complicated. For some, dating, or being recognised as someone of value would bring you happiness. For others, a more materialistic pursuit such as a fancy car, property, or success in the corporate ladder. For yet others, it’s bringing up a family.

To say that happiness is a fuzzy concept is an understatement. No matter what brings you happiness, I hope you find them. After all, reports suggest that happy people live longer lives, with increased longevity of between 7.5 to 10 years.

What defines your happiness?