Really busy? Or just plain rude?

When I was younger and working in the highly pressurized advertising industry, most of us would be moaning over mountains of work and impossible deadlines. We would clutch our heads in despair because, yet again, we would have to cancel dinner appointments and family trips. We felt the weight of the world (or some silly ad campaign for a detergent) on our shoulders that needed to get done ASAP. True, a lot of the busyness was self-created because I had dilly-dallied with one thing or another and before I knew it, the deadline had ARRIVED. But now, looking back on my so, so busy life, how much of it was really being busy or just poor management of time?

Mind full, or mindful?

The other day I caught a short video on how they’re teaching kids in some schools in the U.K. some exercises in mindfulness, which were supposed to help them be calmer and thoughtful. The kids did admit that they liked what they were doing but I had to laugh when a boy was asked what exactly they were doing and he paused for a long while before he answered, “Um, I don’t really know.” I’m glad the experts see it necessary to teach mindfulness from an early age. These days when everyone is glued to their mobile devices, oblivious to what’s going on around them, we’ve probably got too much on our minds than is healthy for our bodies and souls.

More advice from an old-er lady

I had dinner the other night with my godson and his wife. He had just finished a session at his muay thai gym. They started telling me about this old woman who had won a tournament and I asked how old she was. They answered, "Oh, about 52." And I went, "Excuse me?" and rolled my eyes. We had a good laugh about that but I guess that's how younger people perceive older folk. I'm heading into my sixties and while I'll admit that I'm getting older, I'm not old.

If you love them, let them go.

On Facebook today, an acquaintance shared that his daughter who is college-bound soon told him that she’s thinking of going to a college near home instead of far away so that she can be close to them. While most of those who commented on the post praised the girl for her filial piety (much valued in Asian families) I feel that parents should really encourage their kids to go away for their further studies. It’s a first step in their journey towards adulthood and it’s a great time to learn how to be a grown up.