12 March 2026
Although I didn’t experience war, I grew up tense.
Although there were no missiles to take cover from, verbal abuse hardened my heart.
Although there were no bullets to dodge, taunts bore holes in my head.
As a kid I learnt to read tones, facial expressions and listen for the unspoken to keep the peace among warring adults. I became too sharp for my age which took a psychological toll on me.
After I passed 40, I became more determined to not bleed my anxieties & frustrations onto others through harsh words.
Recently the driver who took my booking was at the wrong pick up point. It had arrived and I would be charged extra if I didn’t board on time. Losing $! Unfair! Panic!
When the driver picked up the call, I was tempted to unleash my 2 weeks’ worth of anxiety & worry over medical & domestic issues on him.
But I didn’t.
“This is the moment you’ve been practising for. Don’t crack now. Don’t vent your frustrations on others like how it happened when you were kid.”
So I looked at the tree opposite me and calmly redirected the driver to the correct pick up point.
After I got into his car, the driver complimented me on my voice & thanked me for not getting upset. He said speech carried energy & there was kindness in my voice.
When we arrived at my destination, he told me I was his first passenger for the day & that my voice gave him hope.
His feedback assured me I don’t need to let habitual tensions from childhood dictate my adult behaviour.
Although I can’t stop wars, practising non-violent speech may liberate me from inherited patterns of destructions & that could be a my small contribution to Peace. 🙏🪷
Lisa Ong 