Myfather and mother had three children. Today, one is Australian (me), and one is Canadian. And one Sri Lankan.
My father and mother had ten grandchildren. Today, seven are Australians, two Canadians and one Sri Lankan.
I have four children and four grandchildren. All of them are Australians.
I am writing this as nationalities and gender are fluid as humanity progresses.
My descendants could be in any number of countries and hold multiple nationalities as the world continues to evolve with the rapid use of technology and advances in transport.
I did a bit of calculation today. In my adult life, I have spent 5% in Sri Lanka, 32% in the Middle East and 63% in Australia. So, here’s some advice from someone who lived without borders.
I have no idea where you will live. Which part of this world you’d live in? Which planet may you live on eventually?
I cannot predict the gender you’d be. But you are bound to be beautiful.
Whoever you are, you can be strong. No matter how you look and carry on yourself. You don’t need to fit any box. You can make your own box.
Self-esteem is the reputation you have with yourself. It is your gift to yourself that you need to give generously.
Before you love anybody, love yourself.
Be a rationalist. Be with an open mind.
Don’t be comfortable with yourself. By unsettling yourself, you will experience life in a good way. But, of course, do it rationally.
Be an optimist, even in the worst situation. Suffering is cleansing. Cleansing of the soul and the mind.
Be a clear thinker. Learn to cut out the noise. This comes with practice and retrospection.
Be hungry, be hungry for knowledge and wisdom. Be damned hungry.
Take control and take stock all the time. It will lead to independence. Independence of the mind, well-being and wealth.
Leave the planet in a better state than the one you inherited with your actions.
Cultivate the seed of change. That may come with pain, but you will win in the end.
Desire is a motivator.
Happiness is peace, a blissful state. So develop your mind to be happy and serene.
Cultivate a reading habit. Reading every day gives you a superpower.
Be a lifelong learner. Cultivate a desire to learn something new every day. Continue to be curious. Be curious, to the point of sounding annoying.
Develop good new habits.
Pick good role models and mentors. Then, have a vast support network you can rely on.
Cultivate friends who accept you for what you are. Have three friends you can be vulnerable with.
Ignore complainers and negative, angry people. Avoid them, for they do not add anything to your life.
Get up early and sleep early; every day is new and fresh.
Do everything you want to do with less angst.
Follow your dreams remaining optimistic.
CHATGPT version of my advice
Embrace your strength, no matter your appearance or demeanour. You have the power to create your own identity and don’t need to conform to anyone else’s expectations.
Foster a positive relationship with yourself by prioritising self-esteem. Treat yourself with kindness and generosity.
Practice self-love before seeking love from others.
Embrace a rational and open-minded approach to life.
Challenge yourself regularly to experience life to the fullest, but always do so rationally.
Remain optimistic, even in difficult situations. Remember that suffering can lead to personal growth and inner peace.
Cultivate clear thinking by learning to tune out distractions. This takes practice and self-reflection.
Stay hungry for knowledge and wisdom. Seek out opportunities to expand your understanding of the world.
Take control of your life and regularly assess your progress. This will lead to greater independence, both mentally and financially.
Take action to leave the world better than you found it.
Embrace change, even with discomfort, for it will ultimately lead to positive outcomes.
Use desire as a motivator for achieving your goals.
Cultivate a peaceful and happy mindset by developing your mind.
Develop a daily reading habit; it will give you a powerful advantage.
Remain a lifelong learner by seeking out new knowledge and experiences. Maintain a curious and inquisitive nature.
Form positive habits and seek out mentors and role models for guidance. Build a strong support network of friends who accept you for who you are.
Surround yourself with positive and supportive people and distance yourself from negativity and anger.
Establish a routine of waking up and going to bed early for a fresh start each day.
Approach your aspirations with confidence and optimism, letting go of unnecessary worry.
A Child of Curiosity How inherent inquisitiveness became a key driver in learning experiences. Denzil Jayasinghe · B orn in the mid-20th century, I am a product of the post-World War II era. My parents, who were teenagers when the war commenced, married in the 1950s. As a representative of the baby boomer generation, I was born under the astrological sign of Capricorn, the tenth sign of the zodiac. My birth took place at Zoysa Nursing Home, a renowned institution in Colombo, Sri Lanka, around 5 in the morning. Sri Lanka, known for its tropical climate, is a beautiful island nation south of India. This climate appealed to me, and I sought similar weather in my twenties, spending them in Dubai, where the winter resembles an Australian summer. Raised by religious parents, I held them in deep affection. However, the church teachings posed a paradox for a young mind, instructing one to love God more than one’s parents. I initially adhered to the Ten Commandments and other societal norms in ...
Demons and Devotion: A Family’s Pilgrimage Denzil Jayasinghe · “Demons and Devotion: A Pilgrimage to Tewatta” is a short story by Denzil Jayasinghe about a family’s pilgrimage to a holy site in Sri Lanka. The story follows Denzil, the eldest son, as he reluctantly accompanies his devout parents on this journey to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. Although initially sceptical, Denzil reflects on his childhood faith and his family's hardships. However, the pilgrimage turns unexpectedly when an encounter with a priest who claims a demon possesses Denzil creates tension and leaves him angry. T he air hung heavy with a solemnity that felt out of place for a silver wedding anniversary. Denzil’s father, whose pronouncements held the weight of scripture, declared, “We are going on a special trip to the holy place of Our Lady at Tewatta. This day, showing God’s blessings, will be a private event for our family.” On a recent arrival for a two-week holiday in Sri Lanka...
Shattered Innocence A story of a needle Denzil Jayasinghe · “Shattered Innocence. A Story of a Needle” by Denzil Jayasinghe is a short story told from the perspective of a lad who discovers their father injecting insulin . This discovery shatters his innocence as he grapples with the reality of his father’s diabetes and the fear and uncertainty it brings. The story explores themes of family, responsibility, and the challenges of facing difficult realities. T he pre-dawn light filtered through the window, casting a pale glow over a scene that shattered my world. We were lost in the quiet routine of getting ready — me for the apprenticeship, my siblings for school, and my father for his work. I wandered into my parents’ room, searching for the familiar black comb. What I found wasn’t the comb but a sight that froze me in my tracks. Father, stripped down to his white undies, his usually strong face creased with worry, was doing something… di...
4 min readFeb 9
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