Forcing change

...the kind which signals a shift, not the kind in your pocket, although I'm sure we can all do with a little more of the latter. Yes, money may not buy happiness, but I'd rather be miserable in a lavish Ferrari than in my current rental.

Usually I'd advocate the idea that change is something YOU are in control of, something YOU can manipulate for your own objectives, something which YOU can induce and encourage and embrace. All sounds very well and nice I guess. This theory helps me sleep better at night.

But looking at all the Moments of Change in my life, I can't help but realise that I cannot pinpoint a turning point for any of the major changes, nor can I claim I was ever in control. Distressing, yes. Perhaps I should worry less, sleep more and sit back while I enjoy the lovely weather, ignoring the factors that brought about its change from "gross" to "quite pleasant".

The new mantra? Just do, and change will follow. (No need really to "be the change I want to see in the world.") Must learn to stop forcing change. (But should try to encourage change to appear more often in my pockets.)

Flipping through the brand new Middle East edition of Esquire last night, I spotted my favourite section: Things I've Learned. And yes, for those of you who know me well, you will know that, of course, I took it as "a sign" to blog. So here are the latest batch of enlightened musings:

1. One must specify "electric windows" and "remote-control lock" when securing a rental car.

2. A handbag has little use. I discovered this after forgetting my handbag in my unlocked rental car for about 6 hours. Potential robbers must have also speculated that my handbag has little use.

3. It's not the number of activities that you do that matters, its their proximity to home.

4. A barter deal of a daily ride home in exchange for unlimited use of someone's earphones is more than fair, any way you look at it.

5. If you wish hard enough, you will hear your current favourite song on the radio minutes after you get into your car.

6. It is important to distinguish between 1st, 2nd and 3rd base. Also, it seems there is such a thing as 3/4 base.

7. "Trix & Chocolate Milk" have replaced "Latte & Croissant" as Favourite Weekday Breakfast. (Both trail far behind "Pancakes & Maple Syrup", Favourite Weekend Breakfast.)

8. Having a chocolate crepe for lunch is extremely acceptable and should be exercised as often as one wishes.

9. When reading a book with "how to" in the title, you expect to learn something. This may or may not be the case. I will let you know.

10. Replacing Metro with Car increases your level of comfort but decreases your level of reading. Whether this is a fair bargain has yet to be determined.