Slow down and smell the roses. But how often do we get to do that? Singaporeans are a busy bunch, always on the fast track heading towards somewhere though usually nowhere; we live life like a video game, trying as fast as possible to finish each level so as to complete the game and then replaying again to unlock hidden bonuses or achievements.

But life, alas, is not a video game. There are no pauses, extra lives or the option to quit and come back another day. The world does not come to a halt because you decide that it’s time to stop and take a break. You only get one chance at life – once you pass a stage, you can’t turn back time and have another go at it.

I may seem like I’m contradicting myself here, but I’m not. Yes, life does go on when you slow your steps, but it isn’t always about getting there first. If you keep thinking about being first in everything, I’m sorry to say that you’ve lost the plot. What’s the point if you miss everything else along the way? The little things in life is what we must learn to appreciate.

Instead of quickly forging on after a success, take some time to thank the people who lent their help in the process. If you must, think of it as positive reinforcement. Humans are, after all, creatures that require a little social reaffirmation from time to time. A small gesture does go a long way in building human-to-human relations.

Undoubtedly, we all live in a time-constrained world where everybody always rushing from one task to another. But if you can, why not take it down a notch, observe the surroundings and stretch out a hand to help those around you? We can brighten up somebody’s day or even change somebody’s life just by putting a smile on them.

Life isn’t always about me, me and me; it’s about others too – people you care about as well as strangers on the streets. Human love should transcend kinship, friendships or any kind of relationships for that matter if we truly want to make this world a better place to live in.

Indeed, we’re not ends to life itself, but means to a greater purpose. And if we want to appreciate the deeper meanings of life, we need to ease up a little on the throttle.