One Fine Morning

I got up at 6:30 this morning, I slept on the floor in the living room last night. My living room was packed with books, clothes, shoes, bags, plus a lot of junks. I need to throw away many "garbages" to make room for a better and simpler life.

Brother Jimmy and I met at the XinDian Sports Center at 8:20 We went to the swimming pool jam packed with senior citizens till 9:30. We chatted at the Family Mart on the 3rd floor for an hour. Brother Jimmy told me a lot of sad family stories. He complained a lot about family members fighting over the real estate property. I think most people in China are just too poor to be decent.

There is a saying, people would die in pursuit of wealth, just like birds would die in pursuit for food. When I was young, I was lucky to be able to study and work hard so that I can enjoy the financial freedom now. I am so happy that I don't have kids to worry about. It is a pity that many young people can't make ends meet and rely on their parents. In the end, they miss the precious opportunity to become independent.

From 10:45 till 11:45, Brother Jimmy and I used the fitness center for an hour. It reminded me of our good old morning routines at XinDian Sports Center last year. After lunch, Brother Jimmy took Bus 918 to New Taipei Hospital for rehabilitation, I rode my bike back home and took a nap for 30 minutes. I reported the fine morning activities with Brother Jimmy to WuGu Director. 

Brother Jimmy didn't use the cane today, he said that it's too troublesome. I think the good practice of riding the indoors bicyble twice a day at WuGu helps him boost his physical strength. So long as Brother Jimmy builds a good habit of doing exercise, controlling the diet, and taking medication, he should be able to live a quality life for at least another five years.

I watched a few English and Korean podcasts on YouTube till 4:30. It has been more than 3 hours (12 tomatoes) since I sat before my desktop. I took a walk in the neighborhood for an hour and met a  Hakka neighbot on the street. She told me that she would visit ShanDong China next week for 9 days at a cost of NT$39,999.

After dinner, I read a book "Happier at Home" by Gretchen Rubin. I agree two things are important in life, health and happiness. I do exercise to keep me healthy and I follow my heart to help people around me, which in return makes me happy.

In the evening, from 9:15 till 10:00, four members read online "How to Persuade People--Use these techniques to gain business and add club members" from Toastmaster Magazine June 2025. 

Robert Cialdini, in his 1984 book Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, identifies seven key principles:

• Liking:

  People prefer to say yes to those they like.

• Social proof:

  People are influenced by others’ opinions.

• Authority:

  People respect experts and those in authority.

• Reciprocity:

  People are more likely to give back when they’ve received something first.

• Scarcity:

  People fear loss and desire what’s limited.

• Commitment and consistency:

  People like to stay consistent with their commitments, even small ones.

• Unity:

  People are motivated by shared identities and values.

https://www.toastmasters.org/magazine/magazine-issues/2025/june/how-to-persuade-people

I borrowed the book by Robert Cialdini from JingXin Library, and read it with interest. Eeading is good to expand the horizon in life.