EDITOR’S NOTE

With the recent traumatic events around the world, it’s inevitable that many of our conversations touch upon their causes – and, of course, any possible solutions.

One common discussion revolves around how individuals can get drawn into a mindset that is so far removed from how a caring, understanding human should be. How can they become so detached from themselves? It’s true that, in the past, some movements have been motivated by violence and trauma, but there’s also a flipside of how encouragement, sympathy and a sense of belonging and achievement can turn minds – especially young ones.

Kamikaze pilots and Nazi soldiers, for instance, were recruited and used inappropriately by being made to feel that they were special, that they would be appreciated, even revered by peers and leaders. We all want to be seen in a good light, and it’s much easier to draw someone in by praise and flattery than by bullying. It’s a distraction that can cause us to overlook flaws in an ideology or the manipulating nature of personality traits.

While solutions may be hard to find, the influence of others (positive as well as negative) is usually lessened if there is support and encouragement in the home. I think this is one of our biggest challenges and, having recently gone through the teenage phase with my own children, I know it’s easier said than done!

I’m sure all of us will be feeling for the victims of terror and war all over the world, so let’s use that to make us appreciate what we do have, and work towards instilling a sense of belonging and support within that unit first, and then the community as a whole.

As we head off for holidays or business travel, safety will be high on the agenda but I do hope you enjoy time with friends and family. The images we received as entries in our photo competition (the results are on page 78, and you can see more at expatliving.sg) are a reminder that the world around us is both extraordinary and beautiful.