I can't Think of a title

Attending a wake tonight., third this year. All are rather sudden deaths in some sense. Sigh... what  intensive reminders on impermanence and uncertainty. Now my mind is in a daze.

Only minutes earlier before the phone call from a family friend delivering the unpleasant news, I was reflecting on the article where Tom Plate wrote about his conversation with LKY. I was pondering about how LKY moulded more than a generation of pragmatic utilitarians like him, "almost always in a deliberate rush to achieve...and hated unnecessary delays". I wanted to put the blame on this Singapore upbringing that made it so difficult for me to be lay down the utilitarian template that hanged like a execution block over our heads. I wanted to find a blame on my inability to think, my lack of thinking power, my inadequacy to go deeper into things. I wanted to blame the government for steering us to focus on tangible and material things and busy directing our children to do likewise, hence not having time to daydream.

Then the call, then the daze, then the staring into space.
"Better enjoy life", a comment that spills out almost like a reflex response between my husband and me when news of death and illness is received.
So what now? Stop lamenting? Stop bitching the government? Go enjoy life? Do the things you like most? You like travelling right? Just go, Just dwell on the pleasures. Now you appreciate the government right for making you rich enough to enjoy life before its too late. Hurry, hurry before its too late."He was often in a rush", the writer describes of LKY; and so are We.

However we need to reckon that a day will come when we can no longer hurry to "enjoy life' on a material plane, be it fine food or experiencing new places. If we are lucky enough to live till old age, our six senses will give in. We must start tuning in to a lifestyle when we will be very much alone with own self. Now now ,,,nope nope...don't blame the government for not teaching you how to slow down and be yourself. You have an inherent gift to reflect and dream.