3 Takeaways

3 things occupy my mind this morning which I want to register.

1) Read an interesting article about Elizabeth Blackburn (Nobel laureate)'s research on 'telomere' which is the protective cap at the end of chromosomes in cells. As a sucker for symbols and metaphors I really like her description of telomere as the plastic tip of a shoelace that prevents the lace from fraying. So the telomere wears off as we age and its shrinking is a 'precursor of what can become cell disorder". The good and bad news is that behavioral and lifestyle factors can alleviate or accelerate the shortening of the telomere. As you would have guessed research has shown that exercise and good diet help in the former whilst stress (including stressed relationship), excess body mass, unhealthy diet contribute to the later. So the great news in her words is telomeres "can go back up too, in normal cells" to "prolong our healthspan" (note her use of word healthspan and not lifespan).

2) Read a most touching letter in the ST  written by Deepika Shetty expressing her thoughts and feelings with regards to the 23 year old rape victim in India who is now under treatment in Mt Elizabeth hospital in Singapore. This knocks me off my usual disgrunt with our country's continuous pursuit of economic excellence whilst sidetracking progress on social values. It stirs my sense of gratefulness and really makes me feel how blessed women are to be born in Singapore. We are given all the freedom in every aspect  so much that we have taken it for granted and so often bark readily at the 'shortcomings' of our male counterparts.

3) My takeaway from discussions in yesterday's Buddhist class is the need for "Wisdom and Compassion" to live life skillfully. 'Wisdom' for me is to be mindful (of body, feelings, thoughts and the conditions arising); and 'Compassion' if cultivated will help to reduce aversions, stress and unhappiness.

And oh I was amazed at how I unabashedly enjoyed the water slides at Lotus Desaru resort 2 days ago. What FUN!!!  I will go back again, queuing with the kids on top of the slides,over and over again.