Promising Talk

 Singapore's 4G leaders are taking an initiative to engage citizens to "refresh the social compact" because they want "Singapore always to be a country for all citizens, not just a few".

DPM Lawrence Wong's words seem truly promising "We want to value every citizen, value all talents, not just those who do well in school, but everyone must be valued, everyone must have a role in our society".

I certainly hope this initiative will really foster a brighter future for the academically weak students especially those from low income families. In the past when I had play therapy with children in a certain Children Home, I noticed again and again how the kids who do badly in school carry with them a sense of shame and have very low self esteem. This brings to mind that children from dysfuctional families is another group to be taken care of and not ignored.

Our meritocracy system which has worked well in the past is now loosing its essence because children from privileged background have the social capital to do well in school and have successful professional careers or careers in finance or technology. People without degrees or not inclined for such specialized fields generally end up in customer services or in some blue collar jobs which pay considerably less. Lawrence Wong says we need "to develop and recognise talents in diverse fields". My question :" Is the government willing to provide better support for arts professionals for example or for that matter careers in sectors which may not contribute directly to GDP growth?"

Lawrence Wong again: "Let us all recognise them (hawkers, delivery riders, cleaners, security guards), treat them with dignity and respect, treat them kindly, never turn up our noses at anyone-and pay them well".

If not for the last 4 words in the statement, I would have scoffed at the statement. Yes, unless we 'pay them well' it may be difficult to address this inequality in our society. Unless 'we pay them well" there will always be a segment in society which will feel disenfranchised.

Let's hope the minister will hold to his words. 

Freedom rethink

 

Tested Covid +ve means isolation and suspending all household chores, social commitments and routine activities for 7 days unless tested negative sooner. Earlier during the infection period I slept quite a fair bit because the fever, scratchy throat, cough and fatigue makes the body weak. 

As the infection wears on and a bit of strength is regained I began to think how to preoccupy myself, alternating between listlessness and freedom. Relieved of all responsibilities and commitments I experience a sense of Real freedom, a free individual.

I started to recall my chores I suspended and appointments cancelled for the week. Cleaning the house, marketing, cooking dinner, gardening plus giving the cat an aloe vera rub, afternoon swim, lunch appointment with friends, facial massage appointment and group taichi. 

Now I start to analyse how much of these activities I really like. Out goes household chores and cooking dinner. Taichi and swimming are activities to keep healthy and defer unwelcomed illnesses. So it isn't a choice, it's almost a duty to oneself. I don't particularly enjoy facial massage but has to keep up with this so called maintenance routine and out of obligation to the saloon which I have patronised for decades. So what I truly enjoy is interaction with friends and my cat as well as gardening.

This pandemic has deprived me of volunteer activities engaging with children. Pre pandemic days I can still fit in such activities with the routine and mundane ones mentioned above. Though a bit stretched I complained less of the boring chores because they are balanced with other more enjoyable activities. 

The Covid isolation or "freedom" has made me rethink how to plan the days ahead. It has also reminded me illnesses like a bolt can come out of the blue and we have to treasure the freedom offered by good health.

Health is not valued till sickness comes

 

Down with Covid after a weekend trip to Malacca. It was termed a Durian trip by one company's recreational club because the intention was to gorge durians at Tangkak where plantations are plentiful. 

My husband got it before me because he took so much durian for lunch that he was burping durian smell even late at night. He tested positive after running  a fever and cough. I came down with Covid 2 days later a little milder. Anyhow the fatigue I felt was quite overwhelming and I also had very vivid dreams in my sleep. I googled and to my surprise came across a research which concluded that there seems to be "strong associations between increased nightmare in those reporting having had Covid-19".

The chinese believe that certain food (durian and chocolate are good examples) causes heatiness  which stimulates circulation and warms the body. Excessive consumption of such food causes sore throat, fever, mouth ulcers, acne and extreme thirst. As Covid symptoms include sore throat and fever, the Chinese believe Covid patients have toxins or excessive heat in the body induced by the virus.

Reflecting on how my husband ate durian to his heart content without caring two hoots, I am reminded of a series that ran in Readers Digest magazine in the 60's entitled "I am Joe's xxx"( each month introducing a human organ or body part). It is informative and written for layman understanding. What I particularly find interesting is the approach where the body part is the first person talking about its job in Joe's body and often laments how Joe often neglects it and acts or eats food which cause harm and hinder it to work properly.

I think people are generally aware of what contributes to a healthy body but many choose to ignore. First of all it is difficult to hold back an instinctive need. Secondly it is hard to break a habit. Then there is always this perception that one is immune ie. 'sickness only happens to others'. In addition there may be other area in their life which they prioritise above a healthy body.

"Health is not valued till sickness comes"- Thomas Fuller

A Life Not Wasted

 

I have been following a podcast whereby Ajahn Amaro over many sessions with his students discussed a book co authored by him entitled "The Island". 

During Q&A time, a particular student repeatedly over a few sessions expressed dismay over her inability to let go of her attachment to "self" ie. her thoughts are always centered around "Me, My and mine".

In response Ajahn Amaro reiterated many times that her very "awareness" of her thoughts and preoccupation is in itself a huge step forward ie, the ability to view herself separately and not being totally immersed in herself. 

He then went on to make a statement which somehow strikes me. He suggested that she aligns her approach this way- "If I can be at least a bit more aware, my life would not have been wasted".

I think sometimes we bash ourselves up too much not forgetting we are just human. We also often question what we have achieved this lifetime etc

I feel Ajahn's statement can provide a long term guidance or serve as a prevailing purpose. You can fill in with whatever you hope to achieve. For example you can say "If I can be at least a bit kinder towards others, my life would not have been wasted". 

Maybe we can put it as a sticker on the fridge to remind us consistently and hopefully over the long span we can look back with content and agree that our life has not been wasted.

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The best portion of a good man's life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love- William Wordsworth