At the one-year mark of my sabbatical

My sabbatical started on 30 January 2025 and today is the 30 January 2026. Last night, the moon was about half full.

How should I begin to tell the tale? Perhaps the lyrics of a jazz classic might express it more concisely. Presenting Nature Boy:

There was a boy A very strange and wonderful boy he travelled very far, very far over land and sea

Then one blessed day he came my way we spoke of many things fools and kings food and dreams beyond the endless seas

and then he said to me the greatest lesson you can learn is to love and be loved in return

Nature Boy, as you have never heard it before.

I have recently heard about Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development. (A table, with explanation, is there.)

Question for myself: if conventional schools and often-dysfunctional families are failing to support, or care for, adults who are capable of raising healthy, empowered children, what could be a skillful response that I could do, here and now, that would be fruitful to society and which would be least costly as possible?

To that end, I have been exploring opportunities – and conversations – with a few stellar individuals – who, flawed as they may be, have put ideas into action.

  1. Daniel Tay, from Fridge Restock Singapore
  2. Genevieve Ong, from Forest School Singapore
  3. Kuik Shiao-Yin, from Common Ground Civic Centre
  4. Thubten Chodron, from Sravasti Abbey.

The above list is non-exhaustive.

To conclude a post that began with the premise that words can never suffice to describe the past one year – I give thanks for: enough rain to quench my thirst, over the past one year, and I give thanks for enough fertility of the neighbouring soil, which has nurtured fruits that have, in turned, nourished my body thus far.

As a wiser individual has observed: “Even the king eats from the fields.”

And, sharing some food for thought from a little nephew:

no rain, no flowers.