We often take it for granted, both the absence of warfare in our external environment as well as the tranquility of our conscience inwardly.

Our generation in this part of the world has been fortunate to be exempt from the ravages of war and enjoy many years of prosperity. Lee Wei Ling, Director of the National Neuroscience Institute stated that ‘No one starves in Singapore’ in her 2007year-end address to staff. She is also the daughter of our Minister Mentor. Quoting her again, ‘After the Hermes Birkin handbag, what can one upgrade to?’ I fully concur.

What I hold in even higher significance is the kind of peace that surpasses all understanding. That kind of inner assurance one would feel even though there seems to be no logic to a certain decision. To be able to fall into a deep restful sleep at night and not worry about the consequences of one’s choice, even feeling joyful about it. Very often, it’s got to do with morality and involves one’s conscience, i.e. whether it pricks or not.

As a Christian, I believe that I should act depending on the absence or presence of God’s peace in my heart. I’ve personally experienced the inexplicable heavy-heartedness when I do something I know I shouldn’t. The instant I committed to it, a deep sense of remorse encapsulated me. The bottom line to making the right choices and investing in the stock market is similar in this: It is always unwise to sacrifice long term gain for short term gratification.

The process is never easy, which is why we are often faced with such situations known as dilemmas. A dilemma complicates matters in that one is given two or more seemingly beneficial choices and has to pick the one that most suits his interest. The irony is that many of us don’t really know what we want, and are tempted by greed or stupefied by our own ignorance and lack of persuasion.

In my own experience, I’ve come to realize that one could never make the perfect choice. In relation to life as a whole, one could never have the perfect career, meet the perfect mate, enjoy perfect health, and bask in perfect excellence. At some point in our lives we will discover flaws and uncover insecurities. Imperfections will set in. The idealist who never managed expectations will be the one most broken.

It’s all in us to make things work. We are blessed, we all are, really.