There are times in life when we suddenly notice how busy and crowded our minds have become. However, they are not full of our own dreams, plans, or happiness. Instead, they are filled with thoughts about other people. We remember someone’s words again and again. We think about how someone treated us. We replay old conversations in our minds before going to sleep. Sometimes we think about others because we admire them. Other times, we think about them because we feel disappointed, upset, or even jealous. Without noticing it, we slowly allow other people to take up too much space in our hearts and minds.
The human mind is powerful, but it is also delicate. It can bring us peace, but it can also bring us stress if we are not careful with our thoughts. Many of us spend too much time worrying about other people’s actions, opinions, or success. We wonder why someone spoke to us in a certain way. We feel hurt by someone’s behaviour. Sometimes, we compare ourselves to others and feel unhappy. The more we think about these things, the heavier our minds become.
The sad truth is that while we are busy thinking about others, we often forget about ourselves. We forget our own growth, dreams, and peace of mind. The first thing we lose is often our inner peace. A peaceful mind cannot stay calm when it is full of anger, jealousy, or disappointment. Negative thoughts slowly grow inside us. Even when we smile in front of others, our hearts may feel tired and heavy.
Another thing we lose is time. Time is one of the most valuable things in life because once it passes, we can never get it back. Yet many people spend hours, days, or even years thinking too much about people who may not even think about them in return. We lose sleep over misunderstandings. We waste energy on anger. We let sadness stay in our hearts for too long. At the end of the day, we feel emotionally tired without fully understanding why.
In today’s fast-moving world, many people feel mentally exhausted. Even when they have not done difficult physical work, they still feel drained. One reason is that the mind itself becomes tired. Thinking too much can be exhausting. Carrying disappointment, anger, or jealousy in our hearts every day slowly takes away our happiness. Instead of focusing on our own lives, we become too interested in what others are doing, saying, or achieving.
At some point, we need to stop and ask ourselves an important question: “Am I spending too much time thinking about other people?” This question may seem simple, but it can help us understand ourselves better. When we become aware of our thoughts, we can slowly begin to change them.
Bringing our attention back to ourselves does not mean becoming selfish. It simply means caring for our own mental and emotional well-being. Instead of filling our minds with negative thoughts about others, we can fill them with thoughts that help us grow. We can think about our goals, our families, our studies, or ways to become better people. We can spend more time helping others, learning new skills, reading books, or doing things that bring peace to our minds.
One beautiful thing about the human mind is that it can learn new habits. At first, it may be difficult to stop negative thinking. Sometimes anger comes naturally. Jealousy may quietly enter the heart. Disappointment can be hard to forget. However, we do not have to let these feelings control us forever. The first step is simply becoming aware of them.
The moment we notice ourselves thinking too much about someone, we can gently stop and say, “I am thinking about this too much.” This small awareness is powerful. It helps us step back from our emotions instead of becoming trapped inside them. Little by little, we learn to control our thoughts instead of allowing our thoughts to control us.
For many people, peace comes through prayer, meditation, or spiritual reflection. In Buddhist practice, many find comfort by remembering the noble qualities of the Buddha. When the mind focuses on something positive and meaningful, negative thoughts slowly become weaker. Anger, jealousy, and disappointment begin to lose their power.
Of course, changing our thinking habits does not happen overnight. It takes patience and practice. A habit formed over many years cannot disappear in a single day. However, every small effort matters. Just as a tree grows little by little, peace also grows slowly inside us. The more we practise letting go of unnecessary thoughts, the easier it becomes.
Over time, we begin to feel lighter. We stop reacting too strongly to small problems. We stop carrying other people’s actions in our hearts all day long. Instead, we begin noticing the simple joys of life — the quiet beauty of the morning, kind words from a loved one, peaceful evenings, or moments of laughter with friends and family. Life becomes calmer when the mind becomes calmer.
Every person has limited time in this world. Our time is precious because it is closely connected to our life itself. Once time passes, we can never bring it back. That is why we should be careful about what we allow to stay in our minds. Not every problem deserves our attention. Not every person deserves our endless thoughts.
If we must spend our valuable time on something, let it be on thoughts that bring goodness into our lives. Let us think about kindness, peace, wisdom, and personal growth. Let us spend more time improving ourselves rather than worrying about others. A peaceful mind brings strength, happiness, and clarity. And when the mind becomes peaceful, life itself becomes more meaningful.

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The human mind is powerful, but it is also delicate. It can bring us peace, but it can also bring us stress if we are not careful with our thoughts. Many of us spend too much time worrying about other people’s actions, opinions, or success. We wonder why someone spoke to us in a certain way. We feel hurt by someone’s behaviour. Sometimes, we compare ourselves to others and feel unhappy. The more we think about these things, the heavier our minds become.

These days, kids from all over the world like to spend most of their free time surfing the net, as far as I can see. In our childhood, we had less screen time than now, simply because we could not afford modern technology to a certain extent, except that we used to see a few movies on TV on weekdays and weekends. We would spend time on child’s play, such as hide-and-seek or football, not on the phone. Nowadays, most children are so addicted to video games and TikTok that they cannot help using the internet every single day. From whatever point of view, wasting time only on the internet day and night is inadvisable for their health at all. Thus, how should we stop our kids’ endless scrolling?
Start small and be realistic: Many indulgent parents have already given their children tablets or smartphones, especially because they do not want them to lose face among their same age groups, without being aware that getting rid of the tablets or phones is no easy task. Of course, breaking a deep-rooted habit, especially a bad habit, is too difficult. Changing a habit is always going to be hard, and implementing changes at a neutral moment, not in the heat of an argument about screen time, calm brains communicate best, as Child Psychologist Dr Jane Gilmour stated. Hence, one of the first steps to reducing kids’ screen time may be designating a set place at home for devices, like a particular cupboard.
Be collaborative: According to Child Psychologist Dr Maryham Baker, older children and teenagers can benefit from being part of the conversation around screen time instead of having rules imposed on them. In actual fact, acknowledging the peer pressure surrounding social media can help get teens onside, where Parenting Coach Edwards added that building a strong connection with children or teenagers will make it easier to regulate screen use. What I want to mean here is that parent collaboration tells a sort of authoritative parenting style, not authoritarian, indulgent or neglectful.
Turn screen time into learning opportunities:  Many children of today are found to be struggling to keep up with the fast-paced changing fads and trends on social media, for example, a premature marriage or a young marriage. There is, however, an opportunity for both adults and children to learn from each other through frank discussions about screen time. How we think social media works or an application works to keep people looking at it, and whether they make money off the more time people spend on it, are potentially expected learning opportunities for children. After all, parents can even teach their children digital literacy in a hands-on way.
Model good behaviour: It is no secret that children mimic or imitate their parents, encouraging good screen habits in them will have to start with some self-reflection. As a light-hearted approach to behaviour, a slightly self-deprecating conversation with kids can be used. Really, phones and tablets have provided young and old alike with an ever-present source of entertainment, but both adults and children should take advantage of embracing boredom a bit more. Being on the screen, we keep on looking at the external world, as well as when we go into our internal world, and we kind of stare into space, which allows us to think about the past, visualise the future and predict creativity.
Do not panic: Parenting is scarcely easy, yet raising children in a time and place where screens exist here and there can be very worrying even though we are still learning how they affect us. Nonetheless, parents should not fall into the trap of moral panic now that there is a tendency for anxious people to get caught up in a prevailing media panic and see all adolescent brains as simply hardwired for social media addiction. Nevertheless, children and teenagers have what is called neuroplasticity, that is, their brains are better at adapting and bouncing back than those of adults. Herein, positive technological use can help to boost neuroplasticity for creativity, exploration and learning.

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The hundreds of human skulls preserved in the Morton Cranial Collection at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia reveal an unexpected mystery about modern health. The collection, one of the world’s largest of its kind, contains specimens from cultures across the globe and spans from the Stone Age to the nineteenth century. While examining the skulls, researchers noticed something remarkable: ancient people almost always had straight teeth, broad jaws, and strong facial structures. Crooked teeth, crowded mouths, and impacted wisdom teeth were extremely rare.
In contrast, modern humans commonly struggle with dental misalignment. Millions of children and adults wear braces, undergo tooth extractions, or receive corrective dental procedures. Orthodontics has become a massive industry, yet the deeper causes of these problems remain controversial.
A New York Times writer once discussed this phenomenon with one of the museum’s modern curators. Looking at ancient skulls with perfect teeth, the writer asked whether she had ever seen crooked teeth in specimens from ancient populations.
“No, not one. Ever,” the curator replied.
The ancient skulls consistently showed edge-to-edge bites, wide dental arches, and room for every tooth, including wisdom teeth. But the situation changed dramatically in skulls over the last two centuries. One nineteenth-century North American woman’s skull displayed a narrow upper jaw, crowded teeth, and a weaker facial structure.
The curator admitted that she had spent years wondering what had changed.
“I always told my students, ‘Something happened 200 years ago, and nobody has an edge-to-edge bite anymore – and I have no idea what,’” she explained.
Anthropologists and dental researchers have proposed many explanations. Some argue that modern diets play a central role. Ancient humans ate tougher, less processed foods that required heavy chewing. This constant use of the jaw during childhood may have stimulated proper growth and development of facial bones.
Modern diets, however, consist largely of soft and processed foods. Children today often eat mashed foods, bread, pasta, cereal, and snacks that require little chewing effort. Critics of modern dietary habits argue that this reduced strain on the jaw prevents it from developing fully, resulting in smaller mouths and crowded teeth.
Despite these observations, mainstream orthodontics often focuses on treatment rather than prevention. The most common explanation given to patients is that crooked teeth are primarily genetic.
“Your teeth are too large for your jaw,” many orthodontic clinics explain.
Some clinics acknowledge that environmental factors such as thumb sucking or mouth breathing may contribute to alignment problems, but these factors are usually considered secondary.
Meanwhile, orthodontic treatment continues to grow rapidly around the world. At any given time, millions of Americans wear braces, and a significant percentage of teenagers eventually receive orthodontic care. In the United Kingdom, hundreds of thousands of young people undergo similar treatments every year. Increasing numbers of adults are also seeking braces and aligners in pursuit of improved smiles.
Dental crowding has become so common that wisdom tooth extraction is practically considered a normal part of growing up. Many teenagers and young adults have their wisdom teeth removed before they even cause symptoms. Some studies suggest that by age thirty, a majority of adults in industrialized societies have undergone wisdom tooth extraction.
To critics, this widespread need for correction raises an important question: if crooked teeth are simply genetic, why did the problem become so common only recently in human history?
One controversial answer comes from Dr John Mew and his son Dr Mike Mew, British orthodontists associated with a field known as orthotropics. Their theories challenge conventional orthodontics and argue that modern lifestyle habits are significantly altering facial development.
According to the Mews, one of the most damaging habits is chronic mouth breathing.
They claim that breathing through the mouth instead of the nose can affect the position of the tongue, the shape of the jaw, and the development of facial bones during childhood. In healthy development, the tongue naturally rests against the roof of the mouth, helping the upper jaw expand outward. However, if children breathe primarily through the mouth, the tongue drops downward, reducing support for proper jaw growth.
The result, according to their theory, is a narrower face, crowded teeth, weaker jawlines, and smaller airways.
The Mews also connects these structural changes to a growing list of modern health problems. They argue that reduced airway size contributes to sleep-disordered breathing, including snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea. Sleep apnea causes repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep and has been associated with serious health risks such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, poor concentration, and memory problems.
Some researchers have also linked sleep-disordered breathing in children to behavioural issues, learning difficulties, and reduced academic performance. In severe cases, poor sleep quality may affect emotional regulation and cognitive development.
Supporters of orthotropics believe that modern society has underestimated the importance of proper facial development. They argue that correcting underlying breathing habits and encouraging healthy jaw growth during childhood could reduce the need for braces and extractions later in life.
However, the Mews’ views remain highly controversial within mainstream dentistry and orthodontics. Many orthodontists argue that their claims lack sufficient scientific evidence or rely too heavily on anecdotal observations.
The disagreement eventually became intense. In 2017, Britain’s General Dental Council removed John Mew’s license to practice dentistry at the age of eighty-eight. Critics accused him of publicly criticizing established orthodontic methods and promoting ideas considered outside accepted standards.
Despite this opposition, interest in airway health, facial growth, and breathing patterns has continued to grow online and among some health professionals. Social media platforms, podcasts, and alternative health communities frequently discuss topics such as nasal breathing, tongue posture, and facial development.
The debate reflects a larger issue in modern medicine: should healthcare focus mainly on correcting problems after they appear, or should it pay greater attention to prevention and environmental causes?
Ancient skulls suggest that humans once developed strong jaws and straight teeth naturally, without braces or surgery. Something about modern lifestyles appears to have changed that pattern. Whether the causes are diet, breathing habits, genetics, or a combination of many factors, the dramatic rise in dental problems raises important questions about how modern environments shape human health.
For now, orthodontics continues to provide solutions for millions of people seeking healthier or more attractive smiles. Yet the mystery observed in museum collections remains unresolved. Why did our ancestors rarely need braces, while modern populations increasingly depend on them?
The answer may not lie in a single cause but in the cumulative effects of industrialization, processed foods, changing childhood habits, and modern lifestyles. As researchers continue investigating the issue, the history hidden inside ancient skulls may eventually reshape how future generations think about teeth, breathing, and human development.

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The sound of boiling water, the gentle smell rising from a fresh cup, the first warm sip on a quiet morning – tea has a way of making life feel softer and calmer. Long before the world becomes noisy with traffic, work, and endless responsibilities, many of us begin the day with tea beside us. It waits on small tables in crowded tea shops, in family kitchens before sunrise, and in the hands of people searching for a little comfort after a tiring day. Tea may appear simple, but for millions around the world, it carries memories, emotions, and human connection within every cup. That is why International Tea Day, celebrated each year around the world, is more than just a date on the calendar. It is a celebration of culture, community, tradition, and the people whose lives are deeply connected to tea.
Tea is one of the oldest and most loved drinks in human history. Across continents and generations, people have gathered around tea to talk, rest, celebrate, and reflect. In some places, tea is part of formal ceremonies filled with tradition and respect. In others, it is part of ordinary daily life shared among friends and family members. Different countries prepare tea in different ways, yet the feeling behind it remains surprisingly similar everywhere. Tea brings people closer.
In Myanmar, tea is not only a drink; it is part of our identity. Tea shops are woven into everyday life and social culture. From early morning until late evening, tea shops are filled with conversation and movement. Students discuss their studies and dreams. Workers stop for a short rest before continuing long days. Elderly people quietly read newspapers while enjoying warm tea. Friends sit together for hours, speaking about life, family, and the future. In Myanmar, tea shops are not simply businesses. They are small spaces where human connection naturally grows.
Myanmar also has a tea tradition that is unique in the world. Unlike many countries that only drink tea, we also eat it. Laphet, or fermented tea leaves, is one of the most treasured parts of Myanmar cuisine. Laphet Thoke, Myanmar tea leaf salad, combines sour tea leaves with crunchy beans, garlic, sesame, cabbage, tomatoes, and other ingredients. It is often served during family gatherings, ceremonies, and special occasions. Offering Lahpet to guests is seen as a sign of respect and hospitality. Even Myanmar people living abroad often say that the taste of Laphet reminds them of home and childhood memories.
Behind these traditions are the hardworking tea farmers who make them possible. In the green hills of Shan State and other tea-growing areas, many families have spent generations cultivating tea. Tea farming requires patience, care, and dedication. Farmers work under changing weather conditions, carefully picking leaves by hand and protecting the quality of their crops. Their work begins long before tea reaches our cups. Yet many of us rarely stop to think about the lives connected to the tea we drink every day.
International Tea Day reminds the world to appreciate these farmers and workers. It also highlights the challenges facing tea-producing communities globally. Climate change has become one of the greatest difficulties for tea farmers. Unpredictable rainfall, rising temperatures, and environmental changes affect tea production in many countries. Small farmers often struggle with unstable incomes and increasing costs while trying to continue their traditional way of life.
Around the world, tea supports millions of livelihoods. Countries such as China, India, Sri Lanka, Kenya, and Myanmar all play important roles in global tea production. Tea is not only part of culture but also part of the economy. However, International Tea Day encourages people to think beyond business and profit. It reminds us about fairness, sustainability, and the importance of supporting communities that depend on tea cultivation.

At the same time, tea continues to evolve with modern society. Younger generations enjoy tea in creative new forms, including bubble tea, iced tea, flavoured tea, and café-style drinks. Tea culture has adapted to changing lifestyles while still preserving traditional roots. Modern tea shops filled with young people now exist beside old neighbourhood tea shops where regular customers have gathered for decades. Though styles may change, tea continues to connect generations.
One reason tea remains special is that it quietly becomes part of life’s most meaningful moments. Some of our warmest memories involve tea without us even realizing it at the time. We remember rainy afternoons spent talking with family members over hot tea. We remember guests arriving at our homes and being welcomed with a fresh pot of coffee on the table. We remember conversations in tea shops that lasted far longer than planned because nobody wanted to leave. Tea creates space for human connection in a fast-moving world where genuine moments sometimes feel rare.
Tea also teaches us the value of slowing down. Preparing tea takes patience. Drinking tea invites conversation and reflection. In today’s world, many people rush through their days without rest. Yet a simple cup of tea can still bring a feeling of calmness. Sometimes the most meaningful discussions happen not in large meeting halls or formal places, but quietly around a tea table shared among friends.
For Myanmar, International Tea Day is an opportunity to celebrate both culture and community. It reminds us to value local tea farmers, protect tea-growing environments, and preserve traditions that have been passed down through generations. Tea is not just an agricultural product. It is tied to memory, identity, and everyday human life.
As 21 May arrives, International Tea Day invites us to pause for a moment and appreciate the story behind every cup. From the green hills where tea leaves are carefully grown to the small tea shops filled with laughter and conversation, tea carries the warmth of human effort and connection. In a world that often moves too quickly, tea gently reminds us to slow down, sit together, and value the simple moments that truly matter. Long after the final sip is gone, the feeling tea leaves behind – comfort, peace, and togetherness – continues to stay in our hearts.

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The foundation of any strong nation is its people. When citizens are healthy, they can pursue education, secure jobs, and contribute to economic growth. A harmonized society, built on unity, mutual support, and care, provides the environment for this progress. Together, healthy citizens and a harmonious community form the pillars of a developing nation.
Economic growth, technological advancement, and infrastructure expansion are important drivers of development. But these achievements depend on cooperation between the government, citizens, and social organizations. Without healthy people and a harmonized society, national progress cannot be sustained.

Healthy People: The First Step
Living a healthy life does not always require great wealth. It begins with simple, disciplined daily habits. Experts highlight five key practices:
Balanced diet – Meals should include carbohydrates, proteins (meat, fish, beans), vitamins and minerals (vegetables and fruits). Excess fat, sugar, and salt should be reduced. Drinking at least eight cups (about two litres) of water daily is essential.
Regular exercise – At least 30 minutes of activity such as brisk walking, cycling, yoga, or sports, five days a week. Exercise strengthens the heart, improves blood circulation, and helps maintain body weight.
Adequate sleep – Adults need seven–eight hours of sleep each night. Proper rest repairs body cells, boosts immunity, and restores energy for the next day.
Stress management – “Healthy mind, healthy body.” Meditation, deep breathing, reading, or listening to music can reduce stress and refresh the mind.
Avoid harmful habits – Smoking, excessive drinking, and chewing betel nut damage health and should be avoided.
These simple steps build strong individuals. When citizens are healthy, they become more productive workers, caring parents, and active students. This strengthens families and communities, and ultimately the nation.

Harmonized Society: The Second Pillar
A harmonized society is one where people live together safely and happily. It is not created by the government alone but by the daily choices of individuals. Healthy bodies and minds lead to stronger communities.
From individual health to collective strength – Healthy workers, parents, and students contribute more to families and communities, raising national productivity.
Mental health reduces violence – Calm and emotionally stable people can control anger, jealousy, and hatred. This lowers conflict and violence, creating a society of compassion and understanding.
Discipline builds responsibility – Those who practice discipline in diet, sleep, and hygiene also respect social rules, such as keeping the environment clean.
Mutual support strengthens networks – Healthy living is not selfish. Donating blood, exercising together, or joining community activities builds strong social bonds.
When citizens are healthy and communities are peaceful, the nation becomes more resilient. Social harmony reduces crime and conflict, allowing governments to focus resources on development rather than crisis management.

Developing Nation: The Final Goal
From healthy individuals comes a harmonized society, and from there a developing nation. Citizens who grow up healthy and disciplined become creative, productive, and capable of driving progress in education, technology, the economy, and governance.
When citizens are healthy and conflicts are fewer, governments spend less on medical care and crime control. Resources can then be directed to roads, electricity, industries, and infrastructure for future generations. A peaceful and lawabiding society also attracts foreign investors, creating more jobs and raising GDP.
Government’s 100Day Steps
The new government has announced a 100-day programme to improve people’s lives and healthcare. Plans include expanding Universal Health Coverage (UHC) so everyone can access medical services. Measures include:
Providing affordable treatment
Supplying medicines and equipment
Sending mobile medical teams to remote areas
Training and supporting doctors and nurses with better benefits
Upgrading schools and universities to improve medical education
At the same time, nationwide vaccination campaigns, nutrition programs, and health education are being expanded. Clean drinking water, waste management, and food and drug safety inspections are being strengthened. Parks, playgrounds, and sports facilities are being built to encourage active lifestyles.

Conclusion
As the saying goes, “Strong roots make a beautiful tree.” A peaceful society does not fall from the sky – it is built from the healthy and joyful lifestyles of individuals. By living healthily, each person contributes to the strength of the community. From healthy lives comes a harmonized society, and from there a developing nation.
In short, when citizens build disciplined and resilient healthy lives, they create a compassionate and united society. That society, in turn, lays the foundation for a prosperous nation. Looking at the whole chain, it is clear: national development begins with the health of its people.
Therefore, citizens, social organizations, and the government must work hand in hand to make this vision a reality.

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In today’s technological era, trees continue to play a vital role in improving the quality of life, especially in urban environments, as recognized in many government Sustainable Development Strategies. Trees provide us with invaluable resources such as oxygen, soil stability, beautiful landscapes, timber, medicine, cosmetics, shelter, and environmental balance.
Planting and preserving trees in urban areas helps reduce the heat island effect caused by roads, pavements, and large commercial buildings by blocking and deflecting sunlight. Moreover, trees reduce the greenhouse effect by absorbing carbon dioxide and filtering dust and pollutants from the air. Many communities are also home to ancient trees that stand as historical landmarks and symbols of local pride.
Trees absorb and store rainwater, helping to prevent floods, droughts, storms, and other natural disasters. In addition, trees make our world greener, healthier, and more beautiful. From the fresh buds of spring to the colourful leaves of autumn, trees create breathtaking scenery both indoors and outdoors. Hundreds of living creatures depend on trees for shelter, food, and survival. Leaves, flowers, fruits, and branches provide homes and nourishment for birds, insects, and animals. We are all familiar with apples, oranges, mangoes, and countless other fruits and nuts that trees generously provide, along with delicious natural syrups.
Trees also play an essential role in maintaining good health. Many medicines are produced from plants and trees. The bark of certain trees contains important chemicals used in medical treatments. For example, quinine and aspirin are both made from bark extracts. Furthermore, trees have a wide range of practical and commercial uses. Wood was one of humanity’s earliest sources of fuel and is still used for cooking and heating by nearly half of the world’s population. Trees also provide timber for construction, furniture, tools, sports equipment, paper, pencils, notebooks, and thousands of everyday household items.
In conclusion, people should stop cutting down trees because they absorb carbon dioxide, reduce global warming, and provide the oxygen necessary for all living beings to survive. Nowadays, preserving trees has become an important responsibility for everyone around the world. Therefore, we should encourage our neighbours, friends, and especially young people to understand the importance of trees by planting and caring for them whenever possible. Trees are an inseparable part of our lives, and it is difficult to imagine a healthy world without them. For a greener, happier, and healthier future, we must prevent deforestation and plant more trees.

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A country can only become peaceful, successful, and developed when its citizens act responsibly and contribute positively to society. Being a good citizen means respecting laws, helping others, protecting the environment, and working together for the improvement of the nation’s interests. Every citizen has a responsibility to support and protect their country through good behaviour, education, and hard work.
One of the most important qualities of a good citizen is responsibility. Responsible citizens obey domestic laws, respect public places, and avoid actions that may harm society. Even simple actions such as keeping the streets clean, helping neighbours, and showing kindness to others can create a healthier and more united community. When citizens behave responsibly, society becomes more peaceful and organized.
Education and self-improvement are also important duties of citizens, especially young people. Students should focus on gaining knowledge and developing useful skills because they are the future generation of the country. Educated and skilled citizens can contribute to national development in areas such as science, technology, business, medicine, and education. A strong country depends on capable and hardworking people.
Loving one’s country is not only about words or emotions. True patriotism is shown through actions and contributions to society. Citizens should respect their culture, traditions, national heritage and national identity while also helping their communities grow stronger. In difficult times, unity and cooperation among citizens are essential for national stability and progress.
Nowadays, many young people dream of going abroad for education, jobs, or better opportunities. While learning from other countries and gaining technical know-how and international experience can be beneficial, it is also important to remember one’s homeland. When too many educated and talented people leave their country permanently and never return, the nation may lose skilled workers, professionals, and future leaders. This can slow national development and create difficulties for future generations.
Therefore, young people who study or work abroad should also think about how they can contribute back to their country in the future. They can return with new knowledge, skills, and experiences to help improve education, technology, healthcare, and society. A country grows stronger when its citizens use their abilities for the benefit of their own nation.
Moreover, good citizens should show honesty, kindness, and respect toward others regardless of differences in background or opinion. Peaceful societies are built through understanding, cooperation, and mutual respect.
In conclusion, being a good citizen and loving one’s country are important responsibilities for every individual. National development does not depend only on governments and leaders but also on ordinary citizens. Therefore, people should strive to become educated, responsible, and compassionate individuals who contribute positively to society and help build a peaceful and successful future for their country.

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You may be remembering Twixt Twelve and Twenty by Pat Boone – a guide for adolescence, written for the uncertainties of youth. Yet, with the benefit of age and observation, one could argue that the truly turbulent decade is not twelve to twenty, but thirty to forty.
Between thirty and forty, life often stops asking “Who am I?” and begins asking “What have I become?”
This period is psychologically pivotal because it represents a collision between dreams and reality.
At twenty, hope is cheap. At thirty-five, reality sends the invoice.
Many enter this decade believing life follows a predictable script: education, career, marriage, children, success, security. Yet reality proves uneven. By midlife’s threshold, some have become fully-fledged professionals, financially stable and socially admired. Others remain stuck – careers stalled, relationships fractured, ambitions quietly buried.
Some become pompous with achievement, mistaking status for identity. Others feel down in the dumps, comparing themselves with peers and mourning roads not taken. It is also a period where questions of identity, including gender identity, sexuality, belonging, and purpose, may surface or intensify, sometimes after years of suppression.

Maslow’s Lens: The Hierarchy Begins to Shake
(Safety, Love and Belonging, Esteem and Self-Actualization)
Through the lens of Abraham Maslow, the thirties are often the decade where multiple levels of needs collide.
In one’s twenties, many struggle with security needs – jobs, housing, income. By the thirties, attention shifts toward:
Love and belonging: marriage, intimacy, family stability, friendship networks. Broken relationships or loneliness can become deeply painful at this stage because peers appear to be “moving ahead”.
Esteem needs: professional recognition, social standing, financial competence. This is the era of promotions – or disappointments.
Self-actualization: the haunting question: “Is this really the life I wanted?”

Many experience what psychologists describe as an “expectation-reality gap”. When youthful ideals clash with adult reality, people may suffer depression, burnout, cynicism, or existential anxiety.

Erikson: Generativity vs Stagnation Begins to Whisper
Erik Erikson described adulthood as a struggle between generativity and stagnation. Though classically linked to later adulthood, its seeds often appear in the thirties.

People begin asking:
Am I contributing anything meaningful?
Am I simply surviving?
Have I become who I wanted to be?
This explains why some abruptly change careers, end marriages, migrate to other countries, return to study, or reinvent themselves. The thirties can feel like an internal audit.

The Neuroscience of the Thirties
Interestingly, the brain itself is changing.
The prefrontal cortex – responsible for judgement, impulse control, and long-term planning – reaches mature integration by the late twenties to early thirties. Impulsive youthful confidence often gives way to realism. One sees limits more clearly – both one’s own and one’s life.
At the same time, social comparison intensifies. Modern psychology calls this the “social clock” phenomenon – silently measuring oneself against cultural expectations:
Career? Married? Children? House? Success?
Falling behind that imagined clock can generate shame, envy, or despair.

A Buddhist Reflection
From a Buddhist perspective, the suffering of the thirties often stems from attachment to an earlier imagined self – the person we thought we would become.
The young self dreams in straight lines; life unfolds in circles.
Some dreams shatter. Yet shattered dreams are not always failures; sometimes they are merely corrections of fantasy. A broken relationship may prevent a lifetime of unhappiness. A failed career may redirect one towards authenticity.
In Myanmar wisdom, one might say: “Life does not always give what we ask for, but often what we need to become wiser.”
Perhaps twixt thirty and forty is less a decade of success or failure than a psychological crossroads – where identity, ambition, disappointment, and maturity wrestle together.
By forty, some emerge humbled, some hardened, some wiser.
And wisdom, unlike youthful success, usually arrives carrying scars.

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As the sun slowly sets over the peaceful waters of Inlay Lake, a breathtaking scene comes to life. The sky turns into shades of orange and purple, reflecting beautifully on the calm surface of the lake. Local fishermen balance gracefully on one leg as they row their boats through the floating gardens. This is more than just a beautiful landscape; it is the heart of a unique water-based culture where tradition still lives strongly today. Here, floating farms provide food for the people, and life moves gently with the rhythm of the water.

The Heart of Shan State
Inlay Lake is a freshwater highland lake located in Nyaungshwe Township, Shan State, Myanmar (Burma). Surrounded by the misty Shan Hills, the lake lies about 2,900 feet above sea level and covers around 116 square kilometres. It is the second-largest freshwater lake in Myanmar and one of the country’s most famous natural treasures.
In 2015, UNESCO recognized Inlay Lake as Myanmar’s first Biosphere Reserve because of its rich biodiversity and the close harmony between nature and human life. The lake is home to many rare species of fish and birds that cannot be found anywhere else in the world, making it an important ecological treasure.

A Remarkable Way of Life
The Intha people, often called the “Sons of the Lake”, have lived on and around Inlay Lake for centuries. Over time, they developed a lifestyle perfectly suited to the watery environment. One of the most fascinating sights at the lake is the unique rowing style of the fishermen. They stand on one leg at the back of their boats while wrapping the other leg around an oar. This special technique helps them see over the tall reeds and floating plants while keeping their hands free to handle fishing nets.
The creativity of the Intha people can also be seen in their famous floating gardens, known locally as Ye-chan. Farmers collect weeds and water hyacinths from the lake and secure them with bamboo poles to create floating islands. Tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, and many other crops are grown in these gardens. The floating gardens are so strong that farmers can even walk on them while harvesting.

Traditional Villages and Handicrafts
The villages around Inlay Lake are well known for their traditional crafts and industries. The local people are admired for their kindness, honesty, and warm smiles. In the village of Inpawkhon, visitors can observe the rare art of lotus weaving. Skilled artisans carefully extract delicate fibres from lotus stems to make thread, which is later woven into beautiful scarves and robes. This ancient tradition requires patience and great skill, and Inlay Lake is one of the few places in the world where it still survives.
Other villages are famous for blacksmithing, silversmithing, and the production of traditional cheroot cigars. The floating market, which moves between five different locations every five days, is another important part of local life. Boats filled with colourful vegetables, fresh tea leaves, and handmade products create a lively and picturesque atmosphere. People from different ethnic groups, such as the PaO and Shan, gather there in their traditional clothing to trade and socialize.

Sacred Traditions and Spiritual Beauty
Inlay Lake is also an important centre of religious devotion. The most sacred site on the lake is the PhaungdawU Pagoda, which houses five ancient Buddha images. Over many years, worshippers have covered the statues with layers of gold leaf until their original shapes can no longer be seen.
One of the most spectacular events in the region is the PhaungdawU Pagoda Festival, held every year during the Myanmar month of Thadingyut. During the festival, four sacred Buddha images are carried on a magnificent ceremonial barge shaped like a mythical Karaweik bird. Hundreds of leg-rowers guide the barge from village to village while crowds celebrate with music, prayers, and decorated boats. The festival beautifully reflects the strong faith and unity of the local people.
Another historical treasure is the Shwe Inn Dein Pagoda complex. Hidden near a narrow creek, it contains hundreds of ancient stupas rising among the trees. Some are old and covered with vines, while others shine brightly in gold. Nearby, the Mine Thauk Bridge stretches peacefully across the water and offers one of the best places to enjoy the sunset.

Flavours of Inlay Lake
The culture of Inlay Lake can also be experienced through its delicious local cuisine. Shan food is famous throughout Myanmar for its fresh and rich flavours. One popular dish is the “Inlay Fish Salad” (Inlay Nga Htamin), made from rice mixed with boiled fish, tomatoes, and potatoes, then topped with crispy garlic oil. Another favourite is Shan tofu, made from yellow split peas, which can be served fried, in soup, or as a warm salad. Enjoying these traditional dishes in a stilt house overlooking the peaceful lake creates a truly unforgettable experience.

Peace on the Water
Beyond its beauty and traditions, Inlay Lake offers something even more meaningful – a deep sense of peace. One of my favourite memories is riding on a boat while the cool breeze gently touches my face. Listening to my favourite song, “Naung Inn Lay”, together with the gentle sound of the traditional Shan Ozi instrument, as seagulls follow the boat across the blue waters, brings a sense of peace and happiness. Feeding the birds as they fly close to the water always brings me childlike joy. These quiet and simple moments help people relax, forget the stress of busy city life, and appreciate the harmony of nature.

A Timeless Treasure of Myanmar
Inlay Lake is more than just a tourist destination; it is a living cultural treasure where nature, tradition, and community exist together in harmony. From colourful floating markets and sacred festivals to peaceful sunsets and floating gardens, the lake offers an unforgettable experience for every visitor.
As people often say, “The beauty of Inlay Lake lies not only in its scenery, but also in the hearts of the people who call it home.” For anyone seeking peace, cultural discovery, and natural wonder, Inlay Lake remains one of Myanmar’s most enchanting and timeless places – a destination that stays in the heart long after the journey ends.

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In the modern world, job interviews are found to be the most common culture of most workplaces. Before a person goes into a work domain, he or she often gets interviewed, especially about whether they have previous work experience, qualifications and so on. To be honest, it is natural if a white-collar or blue-collar worker is interviewed by respective people, simply because a job interview may be the precursor of manual and non-manual workers who will probably dedicate themselves to their work from the employer’s point of view. On the other hand, job interviews can be the greatest barrier to hopeful successors at work in the future. Hence, preparing for a job interview has always become an absolute must for all expectant workers. So, how on earth should a job interview be well prepared by any amateur? This is as follows:
First, we should research the company, which means that we have to find out what the company does and what matters to them. Additionally, the fact that the company where we will apply for a job puts goods, services, or both first should be noticed. As far as I know, most companies all around the world tend to give service rather than goods first. To undertake company research, we can check their website, LinkedIn, and social media. This helps us show genuine interest and talk more confidently about why we want the job.
Second, we need to prepare answers to common questions like `Why do you want this job? ´ and `What can you bring to this role?´ In whatever situation, answering preparation for frequently asked questions is the best for us for the simple reason that preparation usually makes us believe in ourselves, as well as a good end to the job interview. For interview questions, we ought to study the job description and think about what the company is looking for. Does the company importantly or urgently demand an employee’s professional expertise or physical appearance, and the number of blue-collar or white-collar employees? And we must use authentic examples so as to make our answers clear and persuasive.
Thirdly, it is very important to us that we practise our language. Never think it is unimportant at all. Speaking, also a communication skill, is essential for almost all jobs of today, in that an able speaker is mostly liked by many interviewers, assuming that he can also work in accordance with his oral commitment and job requirements to some extent. Thus, we are required to practise useful interview language such as positive adjectives, action verbs, and key terms in our respective fields, as in the example `I am experienced in conducting multi-sensory learning for children in SENDs (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)´. As a matter of fact, we will also have to check the pronunciation of important words, the company’s name and the interviewers’ names. To do this, we can try our answers loud or doing a practice interview.
Fourthly, we can even prepare our own questions. That is, we may prepare a few questions to ask at the end of a job interview, for instance, about the challenges of the role, the next step in the process, or training opportunities. In my opinion, such a question-and-answer session in a job interview will hardly ever happen. Several companies like to express no interest towards an interviewee’s subjective questions most of the time, I should believe. But, if possible, we can make at most one or two questions of our own before a job interview. Nonetheless, this shows interest and helps us to decide if the job is right for us.
At last, we will need to get the practical details right. We must choose what to wear, bring what we need and plan to arrive early. If hair is said to be the second face of a person, then clothing will become his third face automatically. An interviewee’s clothing style and colour choice tell a lot about them. Do not be too out of date or too trendy. According to the applied job and the physique, it is OK if clothes fit and suit us. Also, we ought to take our educational transcription and other related evidence, just in case. For online interviews, make sure that we check our camera, sound and surroundings. Getting these details right can help us feel calm, prepared and ready to do our best. The best of luck with our jobs!

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Photo: Workable Resources