Arianna Huffington is the co-founder of Huffington Post, so of course, I’m interested to learn what she has to say. Apparently, “Thrive” came about because of her successful commencement speech she had given at Smith College in 2013, so I need to follow through and check out her speech. I dare say that this book is worth your read even though it was published a decade ago. Arianna likened our drive for money and power to two legs of a 3-legged stool and suggested that we need to prioritise well-being, wisdom, wonder and giving and develop these traits collectively as the Third Metric to lead a balanced and purposeful life. She dives deep into each aspect, offering scientific findings and quote-worthy words from authors who have published monumental books.

I’m particularly drawn to the appeal of 20 minutes. According to her research, 20 minutes is required for one to benefit from a meditation session. It’s also the benchmark for our brains to send out messages that we are full. This makes me want to sieve out other instances of the impact 20 minutes can achieve.

Though the part that left the most profound impression isn’t her eloquent exhortations on the importance of sleep or meditation or compassionate giving. I was digging into French fries yesterday while reading her sharing on her mother’s passing. She used that to illustrate how singing can reach a dying person’s consciousness because his/her hearing is one of the last things to cease functioning. This reminded me of my mother’s last day on earth - and how we had sung to her to bid farewell.

With the passing of time, intense memories fade, and honestly, I don’t even remember my mum’s death anniversary in some years. To be brought back to that hospital room and reminded of this poignant event - well, I’m glad that I read “Thrive”.

Through this book, I learnt the meaning of the word “ersatz”. I believe the context in which I learnt this word is a good way to end this review: “The ersatz urgent has overtaken the truly important.”

Always keep in mind the truly important.