There are now 946 billionaires.  But I think one very significant statistic should motivate us over the many statistics — over 60% of them did not inherit their wealth.

The World’s Billionaires - Forbes.com

I
t has been a busy year in the fortune-hunting business. Strong equity markets combined with rising real estate values and commodity prices pushed up fortunes from Mumbai to Madrid. Forbes pinned down 946 billionaires, including 178 newcomers and 17 people who climbed back into the ranks after being absent for a year or more. Two-thirds of last year’s billionaires are richer. Only 17% are poorer, including 32 who fell below the billion-dollar mark. The billionaires’ combined net worth climbed by $900 billion to $3.5 trillion.

Of the 10 largest shopping malls, 4 are in China, 3 in the Philippines, 1 in Malaysia, 1 in Canada, and 1 in the United States.

Out of the top five largest shopping malls in the world, the biggest 2 are in China, 2 are in the Philippines, as per Forbes magazine:

The largest is South China Mall in Dongguan, China, followed up by Golden Resources Mall in Beijing. The third is the Mall of Asia in the PHilippines, the fourth is the West Edmonton Mall in Alberta Canada, while the fifth is the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong Philippines.

The 9th largest mall is also in the Philippines - SM North Edsa Mall.

World’s 10 Largest Shopping Malls - Forbes.com

I read this with amazement, and you should.  I can understand some people who have a burning desire to succeed, do what they can, and after making it, feels contented.  However, there are many also  who succeeded by chance and circumstance.  I am not begruding them for being unable to duplicate their success but sometimes mourn at the lost opportunity.  After gaining fame and fortune, they could have better chances of leading more meaningful lives, or at least happier ones, but they squandered their success on a misguided understanding of what ’success’ is all about.

One-Hit Wonders - Forbes.com

The one-hit wonder. Most commonly associated with pop music (remember the Baha Men’s “Who Let the Dogs Out”? Or, for those a little bit older, the Knack’s “My Sharona”?), the one-hit wonder achieves great success just one time without any comparable follow-up.

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