It is always not easy when there is a massive change in one's life - a new job, marriage, a new life, a new baby, a new house and neighbourhood ... All the more so it must be for those used to living in the upper echelons of society, be it of wealth or of power.
The Straits Times has this story ...
~~THE first weekend after she left office, former prime minister Margaret Thatcher - who ruled Britain for almost 12 years - telephoned her old Cabinet adviser.
The Iron Lady had a problem. It was not a political issue; she simply needed to fix her home plumbing.
'Well, call a plumber,' replied the surprised adviser. A long silence followed, before Lady Thatcher asked: 'And how do I do that?'
'Try the Yellow Pages,' came the helpful answer.
Unbelievable as the story sounds, Lady Thatcher's predicament was perfectly real. After a long period in power, one gets used to calling the 'switch' (as all British prime ministers call their Downing Street telephone switchboard) with any demand, however bizarre. And the request is instantly fulfilled, no questions asked.
But when a British premier leaves office, the full blast of daily realities returns with a vengeance.
Winston Churchill, who led the British to victory in World War II, was kicked out in 1945 with no salary or fortune; he only managed to keep his family home after receiving a donation from some wealthy individuals.
Matters have improved since then. Mr Tony Blair, who resigned as prime minister this week, will enjoy a severance package worth about S$900,000 a year, including a car, a driver and special police protection.
But there is no substitute for the buzz of political power. So, to soothe the pain of adaptation, Mr Blair rushed to accept a new role: that of a special envoy for the Middle East. ... ~~
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