A Better Future?

 Our senior minister Tharman in a talk used the phrases "global fragility" and "perfect long storm" to describe the challenges our world is facing on climate change, geopolitical conflicts, poverty in some under developed countries, food insecurity, energy crisis and stagflation. In a survey carried out in advanced countries less than 27% of parents think that their children would be better than them financially.

We the baby boomers inherit our parents' inter generation commitment to make life easier for their offspring. Since we met our parents' expectations and achieved a higher standard of living than theirs we naturally expect our children to have a better future than ourselves. However the world circumstances do not seem to point in that direction and we are disturbed because we have worked hard to provide for our kids. So it's natural to feel a bit bewildered and sad as well for not fulfilling this inter generation commitment. On top of that we may feel responsible for bringing about the various types of insecurities our children are facing. For instance, we are accused of leaving behind a 'society revolving around profit rather than sustainability.'

Perhaps we must think through what a 'better life' means. Our perception of a better life may actually differ from that of our children. Our children no longer abide the conventional paths of 'success'  that we have taken preferring to redefine what constitutes a 'life well lived' which aligns with their values.

In the end we can only hope for a more stable world so that our children can live with less uncertainties and that this 'global fragility' will regain its strength and that the "perfect long storm" be blown over sooner.

Passing of an Era

 

My deceased mother was 4 years older than Queen Elizabeth and admired her. She told me when my elder brother was born and our family was struggling with poverty she lamented her station in life when compared with that of the queen's, who had given birth to a prince and the whole commonwealth was celebrating. My mother probably followed the Queen's life story as they had similar personal life milestones.

My mother grew up when Singapore was a British colony and must have lived in awe of the British.  I remember she held very high regard for white men in general. It could be because my grandfather's watch shop was at Change Alley close to where the British civil servants worked. Perhaps through my grandfather's influence she loved light Western classical music and had a weak spot for Western goods inclusive of English biscuits and shortbreads which we could hardly afford. 

My mother's generation is sometimes called the Silent generation and their characteristics include thrift,  respect for authority, loyalty, diligence/determination and strong sense of responsibility. In some ways Queen Elizabeth was an embodiment of all the above. With her passing I feel the final finale of an era which belonged to my mother's generation. In some ways it was also like a closure of some kind. 

Amid the bewilderment I now often feel about this fast changing world and my struggle to keep comprehending new social attitude and contour, I feel the Queen's passing marks the end of any lingering nostalgia about the past and reminds us to move on to embrace a new era.

The Confidante

 Read about this Japanese guy who rents himself out for $100 an hour to do anything the customer wants of him other than illegal and sexual favours. Most of the jobs required of him is that of a companion or listener. Some clients also need his company to avoid being seen alone in some socially awkward situations. For instance to satisfy her whims of  wearing a sari to dine at a restaurant a Japanese female client wanted him to dine with her. Another client wanted his company to play on the see-saw in the park. I guess the person found it too embarrassing to request a friend to accompany him.  It just goes to show that fear of social attitude often inhibits one's freedom to do what one really desires.

Also came across a podcast about an American black man who found that people often confide and share their personal stories with him at airports or train stations after he became blind. He thinks people are sharing their life secrets with him because he can't see who they are, hence they feel they would not be judged.

So people are comfortable being with someone who is 

1) unable to see or unable to judge them 

2) doesn't bother to judge them 

3) paid not to judge them or

4) whose opinion is of little importance to them. 

That is why many people do not confide their problems with family and friends but will seek the help of a paid therapist.  The Japanese guy mentioned above probably fits all the last 3 qualifications.

In this respect my cat satisfies the first and second qualifications above too and I don't have to pay a hundred buck to talk to her. 

A true confidante if you will.