Retirement and reshaping our social fabric?

Retirement and reshaping our social fabric?

Photo by ICSA on Pexels.com

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Retirement age is steadily increasing in many countries, where many 60- year- olds are still healthy and productive. When knowledge and experiences are at a peak,  wouldn’t it be a waste to put them into cold storage when they can offer real economic advantages? Will that mean fewer opportunities for the younger generations, fresh graduates, and new entrants to the job market? I never use the word “retire” on myself.  But if I were to go back to compete in the job market,  I would propose a half full-time equivalent (FTE) with a prorated salary. That way, the old people will still have sufficient time to rest and have time for their solitude time and hobbies. The fresh and younger people can be guided by these older mentors and strive forth in the competitive workforce, unhindered.

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Solitude versus loneliness

Solitude versus loneliness

Solitude versus loneliness

"Loneliness expresses the pain of being alone and solitude expresses the glory of being alone," according to Paul Tillich.

Severely disableds ’empowered’ as avatar robots!

Severely disableds ’empowered’ as avatar robots!

This is a smart idea! Empowering bedridden and severely disabled to operate robots, from a distance.

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Tell the universe

Tell the universe

Many people suffer in silence. The excuses are shame, taboos, ‘don’t wash dirty linens in public’, or ‘ you are weak’. And so, they ‘drown’!


Speaking up here refers to talking to someone close to oneself or a counselor. A meditation guru once suggested “meditating and telling the universe”. In peaceful solitude and self-reflection, one may find the answers or solutions.

Tell the universe (Picture courtesy of Ruzita

Reflecting: Que Sera Sera

Reflecting: Que Sera Sera

Que sera sera (Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com)

I met many of my former students on the social media. A lot of reflections in our chats, as we reminisced the past years. I usually have to make the first move to connect to them whenever I see their pictures appearing on my site. Many are mothers of teenaged children!

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“…ah, I remember you. You were so timid those days! Now you are teaching the other nurses! Excellent!’

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“… You own two renal dialysis centers? So enterprising!”

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“.. you are the CEO of a cancer hospital! I remember you used to be one of the top few students most of the time!”

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“you are a full-time house wife and mother? But you used to be very good in your studies!”

“So, how are you? Your kids are so big already! How time flies!”

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After some time on the chat, one of them said, “… remember the songs you used to make us sing to improve our English? The song…

Que Sera Sera, whatever will be, will be…”

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Quote:-

We know what we are, but know not what we may be.- William Shakespeare

The daily clergy visitor

The daily clergy visitor

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Every noon time,

an elderly clergy man would stand

at a corner of the busy ward, observing.

Streams of visitors strolled in

towards their loved ones or friends.

Some brought extra fruits and food.

They would hug and kiss

the face or the hands of the patients,

chatting concernly.

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A few lonely patients watched silently,

but their loved ones were struggling

in a hand-to-mouth existence

to feed their family,

let alone afford a trip

from the interior to the city hospital. 

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The clergyman clasped his hands together

in front of his chest

and gestured if he may sit down

next to a bedridden patient.

The patient nodded and pointed

to a chair next to his bed. 

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It was all silence and touch communication

as he peeled an orange or banana

to feed the patient. 

He would wipe the face

and hands of the patient.

And he would just sit for a while

before moving to

the next targeted patient.

Until a security man came in

ringing his bell signalling

the end of the visiting hours.

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Prevent child deaths in parked vehicles

Prevent child deaths in parked vehicles

Lately,  a child was left and died in a locked vehicle again as he didn’t disembark to go to kindergarten.

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time and again it happens

a child dies in a parked car

Is there enough

public awareness campaign?

smart seat alarm sensors?

AI- enabled cameras

to detect motions in parked vehicles?

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is there

community vigilance such as

“see something,  act immediately!

Stricter laws in child care and schools

to report strict’ check- in’ protocols

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Encourage corporate responsibility

to allow flexibility for working parents

and parental strategies

like placing essential items,

handbags, phone in back seat

to prompt checking the vehicle

before leaving it.

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reengineer our environment,

habits and technologies

to prevent another child

dying in a parked vehicle! 

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Chen’s quotes on HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

Chen’s quotes on HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

* The day a baby is born,

a mother is born,  too!

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*Gone are the carefree days. Now come the sleepless nights and a baby’s breastfeeding schedules on demand!

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* Here come free weight-lifting exercises, early feeding, and reading sessions!

* Can you believe the once carefree lady is now a supermum? What with baby-sitting, cooking,  WFH projects,etc!

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Listen to this song mama hau (good mothers)!

mama hau (good mothers)

In Definition of “Hospital” by Pope Francis

In Definition of “Hospital” by Pope Francis

Pope Francis wrote this before his death while in the hospital. 

“In Definition of “Hospital” by Pope Francis

POPE FRANCIS always surprises with his reflections:

“The walls of hospitals have heard more honest prayers than churches…
They have witnessed far more sincere kisses than those in airports…
It is in hospitals that you see a homophobe being saved by a gay doctor.
A privileged doctor saving the life of a beggar…
In intensive care, you see a Jew taking care of a racist…
A police officer and a prisoner in the same room receiving the same care…
A wealthy patient waiting for a liver transplant, ready to receive the organ from a poor donor…

It is in these moments, when the hospital touches the wounds of people, that different worlds intersect according to a divine design. And in this communion of destinies, we realize that alone, we are nothing.

The absolute truth of people, most of the time, only reveals itself in moments of pain or in the real threat of an irreversible loss.

A hospital is a place where human beings remove their masks and show themselves as they truly are, in their purest essence.

This life will pass quickly, so do not waste it fighting with people.
Do not criticize your body too much.
Do not complain excessively.
Do not lose sleep over bills.
Make sure to hug your loved ones.
Do not worry too much about keeping the house spotless.
Material goods must be earned by each person—do not dedicate yourself to accumulating an inheritance.
. . .

You are waiting for too much: Christmas, Friday, next year, when you have money, when love arrives, when everything is perfect…

Listen, perfection does not exist.
A human being cannot attain it because we are simply not made to be fulfilled here.
Here, we are given an opportunity to learn.

So, make the most of this trial of life—and do it now.

Respect yourself, respect others. Walk your own path, and let go of the path others have chosen for you.
Respect: do not comment, do not judge, do not interfere.

Love more, forgive more, embrace more, live more intensely!
And leave the rest in the hands of the Creator.”
—Pope Francis 🙏

When a gift is not appreciated…

When a gift is not appreciated…

Gift accepted and appreciated

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A senyru poem

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ever come across 

  gifts unappreciated

and unwanted?

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a gifter so sad

is my gift not good enough?

Should I redo it?

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