The world has changed. I feel it in the water, in the earth, and smell it in the air. Much that once was is lost, for none live now who remember it (Lord of the Rings). Nearly a quarter of the way into the 21st century, the cultural, political, and technological realities of the 20th century have been left behind in many ways.

It seems we have barely adapted to the present when it hurries us along again towards artificial intelligence, quantum computing and surgically implanted Neuralink technology. Politically, elections would have occurred in more than 60 countries for more than half of the global population (Jan-Dec 24). Shifting standards of what is or is not socially acceptable continues to polarise the cultural landscape. In the wink of an eye, we have become prisoners of our device (smartphone) until the next ‘addiction’ rears its head.
Do we swim or sink with the unrelenting avalanche of changes? Embrace, reject, or nitpick? In truth, our world has been changing since Day 1. Changes for most are seldom painless, nor is it necessarily true that what comes after is better. To reject changes indiscriminately leaves one in a lonely place. Citing old age as a reason is unacceptable. Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter (Mark Twain). Changing our minds is a good way to find out if we still have one.

The young generally adapt to change seamlessly. To remain relevant and credible in family dynamics, the old must go with the flow, with trepidation or not. Over the years, I’ve learned that very few things matter. This is one of the few.
Some timeless fundamentals include backing oneself, knowledge, speaking up, leadership, and generosity. Coaxing and even cajolement from others can have their place, but weed out the noise and hype. Those who shout the loudest are often just lubricating their egos. If we are proved wrong, that’s fine. Take it on the chin and prove to be right next time. Success tastes sweeter that way. Always lend our ears to constructive criticism. Do not be put off by mutters from the gutter (hearsay, innuendo, gossip, jealousy, comparison). They belong where they come from, the gutter. Take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.
Knowledge is a precious commodity. Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad. It is in our DNA that we thirst for knowledge. The more we know, the more we want to know about what we don’t know. Exploit enthusiastically. It will bear fruit. Knowledge also means knowing the extent of our ignorance. Keep an open mind. If we don’t, it will reduce us to learning more and more about less and less until we know absolutely everything about very little.
A clear conscience and humility work wonders, though in my case, a clear conscience may be a sign of poor memory! Good leadership is key, but paradoxically, the one who leads should also be the one who serves. Few become great leaders, but most of us can deliver small things in a great way, an integral cog in any project.

Something ageless is laughter. The ability to laugh at oneself and be happy to be laughed at is a godsend. So is the ability to make others laugh. A good sense of humour opens many doors. Optimism, compassion, caring, motivation, generosity and sharing are uplifting words in any dictionary. An optimist believes there are no problems, only solutions. A pessimist will never let a crisis go to waste. Avoid it like quicksand.
Speaking up is a good trait and a fundamental right in any democracy. There is no need to say everything we think, but there is every need to think about what we say, salutary or not. Sometimes, it is better to be considered a fool than to speak up and remove all doubt that you are one.

The act of giving is reward enough. Do not wish for more. Reward ourselves often and be kind to our bodies and souls. Let yesterday go, live for today and look forward to tomorrow, warts and all. Little is more powerful than what goes on in our minds. Filter well. Mental wellness does not play second fiddle to its physical counterpart.
In 1989, a British scientist, Tim Berners-Lee, invented the World Wide Web. It revolutionised almost everything in our lives. The benefits are immeasurable. But detrimentally, online abuse and undesirable/extreme content perpetrated by faceless cowards threaten to poison the fabric of society. Tread carefully. The dark web perpetuates dark thoughts.
To something we all do – eat. Some eat to live, but thankfully, most live to eat. Over the years, food standards have dropped, a consequence brought about by cost, multi-processed food, hidden ingredients (eating out/takeaway regularly), and convenience. It causes poor health, which places an additional burden on often already overstretched health service resources. Remember, the food quality can only be as good as what we put in. That one can’t eat healthily and affordably is simply untrue.

Such a narrative would be incomplete without mentioning climate change, an avoidable self-inflicted wound and a disaster waiting to happen. For the sake of our children, grandchildren and the 900 million people (source: the UN) in countries with low-lying coastal areas (e.g. Bangladesh, India, China, Haiti, Maldives), it is imperative to reverse climate change. Our descendants will not forgive us, and it will be a dereliction of our responsibility if we look the other way or deny a problem, especially as our generation created the situation in the first place.
Life is funny. We come with nothing, fight for everything, and finally leave with nothing. Doesn’t that tell us everything? I wish everyone nothing but happiness and fulfilment in navigating your journeys in our ever-changing world.