Suicide Today. Still Unspoken. Still Worrisome.

yellow ribbon symbolizing hope on white tiles

Two days ago was World Suicide Prevention Day. It came and went rather quietly, at least in most of the mainstream media here. Other than a government official's mention on that day during a Parliament session, and a reader's letter that was published a day before that in the local daily, nothing much else was … Continue reading Suicide Today. Still Unspoken. Still Worrisome.

Musings on Teaching Challenges #4: Time To Hang Up My Teaching Hat

man in black and white polo shirt beside writing board

Yesterday was Teacher's Day here. I've never "celebrated" it much, though I've been teaching for over two decades. Chief reason being the day always fall in between semesters (given the academic schedule of the tertiary institutions I teach in). So both myself and my students are always on a break this time of year, and … Continue reading Musings on Teaching Challenges #4: Time To Hang Up My Teaching Hat

Time To Reckon With How I’m Showing Up For Family

hourglass on books in an office setting

As I ease off another teaching contract this week and wait to see if a new one comes my way, I'm once more at a point where supposedly I've got more time on my hands to work on my "favourite things." Put another way, now's the time for me to reckon with how I'm to, … Continue reading Time To Reckon With How I’m Showing Up For Family

I Need To Rebuild My Reading Habit Once More!

man in blue long sleeves shirt lying down while reading book

Yea I know. I talked about almost the exact opposite a few posts ago. That reading as a habit is pretty much dead nowadays. But c'mon, you didn't really think I'd resigned myself to that notion, did you? No self-promoting, self-respecting writer would ever want that, or say that. Other than in a moment of … Continue reading I Need To Rebuild My Reading Habit Once More!

Building A Community #3: Sometimes The Best Way To Build May Be To Downsize!

group gathering in sunny field

Over the past week, I've had the opportunity to sit in on the meetings of two other men's help groups in my country. Invariably, as someone who has been coordinating a men's group since 2023, I would come to know of other such groups too. More so recently, when I joined up with a men's … Continue reading Building A Community #3: Sometimes The Best Way To Build May Be To Downsize!

Are We Truly Seeing The End Of Reading And Attention?

black and white photo of a skull on a row of books

One of the things I marvel about my eldest sister (she's 72 years old) is her ability to rattle off hard numbers from memory effortlessly. These include prices of things she purchased, from travel packages to health supplements. She can accurately recall phone numbers, as well as the year various events took place. Or how … Continue reading Are We Truly Seeing The End Of Reading And Attention?

Learning And Sharing About Caring Communities As A “Human Book”

Last Saturday, I had the privilege of being invited to an event where I was to be a "human book" for a day. The inaugural community exchange event, organised by SGPO (Singapore Government Partnership Office) in partnership with culture change consultancy and venue provider Common Ground Singapore, brought together some 100 different ground-up community initiators, … Continue reading Learning And Sharing About Caring Communities As A “Human Book”

When “Viral” Wasn’t Welcomed. Then Came My Birthday!

a woman wearing a face mask and a hat taking a picture

Something unexpected and harrowing happened to my family this week. Thanks to a mysterious viral infection that chose my wife for its next victim! It was early Sunday morning, the 28th of June, the last day of vacation for our little family of four. We were packing to check out of the hotel to get … Continue reading When “Viral” Wasn’t Welcomed. Then Came My Birthday!

Guest Post: Why I am โ€œtech optimisticโ€โ€ฆ but not in the way you might think

webpage of ai chatbot a prototype ai smith open chatbot is seen on the website of openai on a apple smartphone examples capabilities and limitations are shown

Today, I am grateful to return to myย guest post series,ย especially after a long break! (If you are keen to be a guest writer on my blog, please check out my guidelines for guest posts by scrolling to the bottom of myย About pageย and share your ideas with me) For more than two years now, I've been … Continue reading Guest Post: Why I am โ€œtech optimisticโ€โ€ฆ but not in the way you might think

Building A Community #2 — Taking The Highs and The Hits

group of people holding arms

Last week, I talked about my experience building a community. It ended with me on the verge of detailing the "hits", after talking about the "highs". So allow me now to pick up from where I left off. Forming A Core Community Of Six "Leaders" Photo by Mikhail Nilov on Pexels.com I distinctly recalled that … Continue reading Building A Community #2 — Taking The Highs and The Hits