But two quick stories show that it might also squeeze out other, even more important factors…

𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝟭
Yesterday my son (aged 8) received a reply from Simon Wilde – the Cricket correspondent at the Sunday Times.

My son is mad keen on cricket and had written to Simon with his all-time Ashes XI.

It was completely out of the blue and no doubt Simon is extremely busy.

But within a day Simon generously replied with some kind words and ideas for my son to consider.

Now, maybe on one level this doesn’t matter. It’s just a short message to an 8-year-old. But on another maybe it really does…

𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝟮
About 20 years ago I was taking my first steps towards retraining in psychology. I was lost, really, and was thrashing around looking for help.

I wrote to a few psychologists I had heard about, asking for advice. Most didn’t reply.

One replied to explain why he had no time to reply to letters like mine.

But one or two 𝘥𝘪𝘥 find time to reply.

This included Dr Steve Bull, who was then psychologist for the England cricket team, and no doubt incredibly busy (they won the Ashes that year).

I don’t remember his exact words but the mere act of replying encouraged me to take the next step, and then the next, and eventually changed the direction of my life.

So maybe on one level a message to an 8-year-old boy dreaming of the Ashes is inconsequential.

But on another level having time (or making time) for these small acts of humanity – maybe that will spark something really important.

And maybe in the end those are the bits we remember in our lives, and we forget all the things we were so busy with.