allegory, benevolence, freedom, ice, life, life lessons, life stages, perseverance, personal growth, spiritual journey, success, transformation, vapor, water

Hard as Ice, Fluid as Water: An Allegory on the Stages of a Successful Life

A young businessman was betrayed by his partner and was left without wealth or hope. Desperate and despondent, he decided to end his life by jumping into a lake. On its banks, he encountered a wise monk deep in meditation. Overwhelmed with relief, the man eagerly approached the monk, shared his tragic tale, and sincerely ...

Mikel Davis

Ice in the form of a heart.

How ‘Iron Lady’ Margaret Thatcher Saw Hong Kong and Communism

Among contemporary Western leaders, the “Iron Lady” Margaret Thatcher was a rare open critic of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). On the issue in Hong Kong, Margaret Thatcher had long predicted that: “If China takes back Hong Kong, it will have a catastrophic impact on Hong Kong and destroy its prosperity”. Today, after the seizure ...

Michael Segarty

'Iron Lady' Margaret Thatcher.

Happiness Is Living Without Fear

Happiness is politicians who don’t fear assassination, and protesters who don’t fear suppression. The rich have no fear of being kidnapped, and the poor have no fear of their last bowl being confiscated. The middle class has no fear of a civil revolution, and the general public does not fear that their leaders’ words may ...

Emma Lu

Young woman sitting on the end of a dock on a lake.

When Ukraine Decided to Be Free

Perhaps once in our lifetime a speech resonants, be it by Churchill, Kennedy, or Reagan. But for the members of the English House of Commons packed into every corner in this room, on this March day in London, and representative of the entire world, this speech by Ukraine’s president was of supreme importance. Public galleries ...

David Clapp

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

‘Freed Man’s Creed’: An Outlaw’s Ode to Freedom

Freed Man’s Creed, by Virginian singer-songwriter James H. White is a new song release timed suitably for July 4th, Independence Day in the United States of America.  Cinematic and patriotic sounds There is something hugely cinematic and energizing about this new release, Freed Man’s Creed, which follows his earlier song Purple Heart, another great tune ...

Jessica Kneipp

James H. White playing his guitar.

Taiwan Is First-Class

I have never set foot in Taiwan, but in my mind, Taiwan is first-class — I view it as a precious island, a place I have dreamed about numerous times. I came to the U.S. from mainland China across the Pacific Ocean. I often compare mainland China to Taiwan and am always struck by how ...

Emma Lu

Taiwan's many qualities make it an extremely desirable location (Image: ynes95 via Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0 )

Leaving Hong Kong to Escape the Chinese Communist Regime

Another young person has fled Hong Kong in order to avoid the brutality of the Chinese Communist regime.  The 19-year-old youth, who goes by the pseudonym “Hammer,” has endured being arrested, beaten, and harassed by police, as well as having his house illegally searched — all for participating in Hong Kong’s anti-extradition movement in 2019.  ...

Tatiana Denning

View of Hong Kong from Jardine's Lookout as the sun sets.

Is Taiwan a Free Country?

Many people around the world don’t know much about Taiwan. Some consider it part of China, while others have just started hearing about the tiny nation. Then, there are some that simply refuse to acknowledge its existence (WHO). In this article, we explore how much freedom an average person experiences in Taiwan, and how it ...

Max Lu

People shopping in Taiwan.

General MacArthur and How He Changed the Nation of Japan

In 1951, U.S. President Truman relieved General Douglas MacArthur of his post as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP) in post-World War II Japan. No one initially knew about General Macarthur’s departure except for a few high-ranking Japanese officials. However, when General MacArthur left the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, he discovered over 200,000 people ...

Nspirement Staff

General Douglas MacArthur.