Keeping Cool

It was a very hot day. The traffic was heavy and there was a long pile up at the highway. Everyone was trying to get out of the heat. Suddenly, I heard a loud blare of the horn, followed by a very loud shout, "Idiot!". The car from another lane had tried to jump the queue when the traffic light changed, causing the driver in the car in front of me to jam on his brakes. Unfortunately, he could not stop on time and ended up colliding with the car that jumped queue. The drivers got down from their vehicles and a heated argument ensued.

2. This scene is quite common in today's world. People seem to be rushing here and there to get things done. Twenty-four hours do not seem to be enough. This is the normal-of-the day. My ninety-year old mother has time and again reminisced over the past when life was simpler and with less pressure. "People had time to think before they acted," she said. "They tend to be concern about the consequences of their own action. In short, they were more responsible and caring. The young were respectful and did not feel so entitled".

3. While I choose not to argue with my mother that her statements are too broad, I must say that her observations cannot be passed off without thought. The fact of the matter is, the pace of life has changed. Growing globalisation has affected the socio-economic fabric of society, creating demands that were not there before.

4. Man's desire to keep up with change and to be ahead of it has made us different. We are constantly striving to do more and having less time to think, let alone, relax. In fact, it is difficult to remain "cool" all the time.

5. A friend recently reminded me that keeping cool is the key to winning battles, whether at work or at home. The secret recipe for staying cool is "to chill the mind". It is important to able to compartmentalise issues and have the discipline to sort the matter out, without emotion and fear. You need to treat issues in a similar fashion as storing food items into the fridge. Freeze, chill and dispose are the main action words. This ability cannot be acquired in a day and takes some time to be developed.

6. It is important to remember that being rattled easily does not make you a better person. Sometimes people can feel repulsed by such behaviour. Even if you have a poor argument, your calm and collected disposition makes others willing listeners. So stay cool!