Happy International Women’s Day! In this edition, women can find out some effective street-smart tips! And guys will find out what not to say when your partner asks about her weight! And a simple way to lead a better life, coming straight from a veteran. Tune in…

Donna is part of a women’s group that looks to empower working women with confidence and counselling. Donna was explaining their work to Megan and Kate the other day. Donna was telling them how they can be more vigilant on the road and ensure their own safety. “You know,” Donna said, “By following some simple steps you can save a lot of hassle and worry!” Donna advised them not to listen to music when they are walking along busy streets. “Music makes your mind less alert,” was Donna’s point. Megan and Kate seemed to agree and when you find Megan not asking questions, you know the person is speaking sense!

Some of the tricks were really interesting! “Look confident!” Donna said, “The person who thinks of causing harm will think twice and more if you appear confident and a hard nut to crack!” Donna advised them not to rummage for things in their bags and purses when they are on the road. “A little bit of planning and you can have things ready at your disposal,” was her next tip. But something that didn’t go down well with Megan was Donna’s advice to be curt to strangers. Donna had the last word: “When your safety is at stake, keep your politeness for your boss and high school teachers on your social networking page!”

Eleanor was at my place when Adrian walked in with the news that Cathy’s favorite aunt passed away. This was ghastly news for Cathy. Adrian was at a loss of what he could do to make the pain bearable for her. I looked at Eleanor to bail him out. Eleanor told him, “It’s difficult to say something in these times, better do something!” Adrian looked at her with a quizzical look. “Take her to a place where you go when you look for some peace,” Eleanor said. Adrian smiled, it seemed like he was getting what Eleanor was trying to say. It made a lot of sense to me, of course.

“But whatever you do, never say ‘I understand’,” Eleanor warned him, “Because frankly, you cannot!” Adrian agreed with her. I was surprised at this insight. It was so accurate! We all say that when we can never start to feel what an aggrieved person is going through. Eleanor asked him to make her feel that he was with her. “It’s in times like these that you have to make her feel that you are there in her grief as in her happiness,” Eleanor told him, “Tell her ‘I want you to be happy’.” Adrian got over his sullen mood after being equipped with something to do, when he was totally lost about things. Eleanor is uber cool!

Some questions are awkward and even the most tactful person gets stumped. And when it happens to be someone like Rick, who cannot be accused of being remotely tactful, it can get volatile! Trouble began the day Kaitlin felt that her dress was not fitting her as smugly as it used to. Kaitlin knew that asking Rick wouldn’t get her an honest answer. So Kaitlin met Irina and Megan without disclosing the real purpose of their meeting. After they went back home, Kaitlin asked them casually if they thought she had put on weight. Both apparently told her that they didn’t think so.

But you know how it can be sometimes. Kaitlin wanted a word of approval from Rick before dumping this idea. Kaitlin asked Rick what he thought about her weight. I don’t know exactly what he replied but Megan told me that Kaitlin was now living with her best friend! It’s obvious that Rick said something that blew her off the hook. Rick was heard to be visiting Kaitlin every day with a rose and a boxful of apologies. Touchy as women can be on the issue of their weight, it will really need a special effort from Rick to get Kaitlin back into their love nest. Keep an eye on this story next week!

When you are past the major part of your life, seen and heard enough, you develop this special ability to simplify things. You can bring things down to the bare minimum. You have the maturity to understand that matters are not always complicated. It’s us who weave this mesh that we get tangled in. Fred was talking about these things the day we met up. It was after a long time that I could visit him. I was apologetic about being away for so long. But Fred was rather happy that important, positive things kept me occupied. Fred told me, “You got work to do and that’s what you were doing! Nothing to feel sorry about!”

Fred went on to share his thoughts on how to tide over the times we are in. His message was simple: do your work. Fred firmly believes that if we keep working and focus on our jobs, we will keep ourselves distracted from the negative forces around. Fred had a special word for staying healthy. “You may be depressed or down and out,” he said, “but make sure you are eating well and doing your exercise. That’s most important!” I know it’s easier said than done, but Fred is someone who has led a whole life on these beliefs. We can surely make an honest try!

Here’s a Margaret Thatcher quote on International Women’s Day to sign off this edition: “If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.”