As I write this piece a smile is playing around my lips, and my chest swells with obvious pride. I am particularly partial to the achievements of my youngest son. The youngest of three siblings he has spent almost all his formative years in the shadow of his over-achieving brother and awesomely talented sister. Always a timid and shy but thinking individual he has come into his own. Last week he won the second-best speaker at the MODEL UNITED NATIONS. No mean feat! He beat almost 40 kids to achieve that. Each kid being one the best debaters from his respective school.

Preparations for this particular competition began in all earnest as soon as the topic was decided. Research included reading up matter from the internet watching the U-Tube videos, discussion with teachers and peers and of course working on the language and body posture. As the date drew closer, I found him struggling to balance his homework, sports activities other extra-curricular activities. He always seemed tired, rolling his neck and massaging and rubbing the back of his neck, trying to get some relief and aiming to release the tension and stress that obviously seemed to have built up around that area. Seeing him constantly bent over his research paraphernalia, I realized that, it was his constant bending and awkward posture that was the root cause of his discomfort and tiredness.

I remember having seen a colleague use the SMART ESSENTIALS 6 PIECE TRAVEL SET and had commented on its practicallity.A set that included a travel pillow, tablet holder, ear phones and a stand, that she carried neatly in a smart carry bag. It looked comfortable and convenient as she adjusted the stand and pillow to suit her, placed the tablet at an appropriate distance and height making reading matter extremely easy and convenient. I decided to try the SMART ESSENTIALS 6 PIECE TRAVEL SET, hoping that using it would bring some amount of relief and comfort to the boy. Initially the purchase was met with resistance and with an incredulous look he told me that he wouldn’t be caught dead using that! But just one word from his idol, his older brother did the trick. Asking him toat least give it a try once as it really worked and moreover looked officious and smart had him reluctantly put on the unit. A couple of uses later, I saw him automatically reach for that smart bag and adjust the pillow and stand around his neck.

Yesterday, as we undertook a three-hour drive to the venue of the competition, the first thing I saw going onto the seat was the SMART ESSENTIALS 6 PIECE TRAVEL SET. It was reassuring to know that his final preparation for the very prestigious competition would be in comfort and convenience. No bobbing of heads in different directions, if he fell asleep en-route. As we return, he has his phone placed in the tablet holder, listening to his favorite music, arms gesturing and he tunelessly belting out the words!