For a better life in 2009
No need to try too hard to make life more pleasant, just follow a few basic suggestions.
We're into the 10th day of 2009, around the time many of us are acknowledging that resolutions made under the influence of “festive spirits” aren’t going to last.
No resolutions for me, though. I’m following the wisdom of my other half who believes you don’t need a new year to make a resolution that is good for you.
Still, as we reflect on a turbulent past year and look ahead with some trepidation, why not ask what we can resolve to do, to make life more pleasant for ourselves and those around us?
You and I can’t help the world economic crisis or the senseless wars. But we can try to lead better lives.
For a start, let’s be more patient and considerate drivers. No cutting queues, no driving like mad people, no intimidating other drivers or giving them reason to intimidate you, no hogging the fast lane while out for a casual Sunday morning drive on Wednesday, no indiscriminate parking and no flouting traffic rules.
Too much to remember? Well, in the first three days of 2009, two dozen people died in road accidents around the country. Mull on this.
Then, how about getting to know your neighbours better?
More importantly, how about creating a community in your neighbourhood, regardless of your cultural or religious backgrounds? Then you can watch out for one other and make your neighbourhood safer and friendlier.
Better still, how about organising occasional get-togethers with your neighbours, where everyone brings food and chews the fat? This can be fun.
You can also practise civic-conscious habits that should be a given by now, but sadly aren’t. These include not littering, and not letting your pets treat parks, sidewalks, roads and other people’s gardens as their toilets.
Also, prevent your cats from proliferating uncontrollably and turning the neighbourhood into their battleground!
Need to dispose of big items from your house? There are people who will carry it away for you, for a nominal fee. In fact, there are even people who’ll do it for free, if these items can be recycled. Leaving such things outside your gate and hoping that they will disappear doesn’t contribute towards making a better neighbourhood. No one likes to walk or drive out in the morning to a dumpsite!
Here’s a great idea for smokers: be extra careful with your smoke and don’t let it irritate others. Stop leaving butts in toilets and basins, and refrain from smoking where it’s not allowed.
Then, at the movies, how about keeping your mobile phone silent and out of sight, so you don’t infuriate your fellow moviegoers?
Find yourself a hobby. Having something creative to do in your spare time is better and healthier than vegetating in front of the TV or going back to the office on the pretext of work. After all, the best of employers insist their workers lead a harmonious and fulfilling life at home, so they bring those good vibes to work. And as we all know, good vibes show in your work, qualitatively and quantitatively.
Yeah, I know, I’m getting too preachy!
On a personal note, the one thing I’d like to do from now is to eat healthy and exercise regularly. But that’s something I say all the time, so here’s hoping for the best.
You may realise I’ve had my say on most of the above in the past, in expanded form. If some of this has, well, inspired you to think wisely and act for the better, great, and thank you. If it hasn’t, we need to talk.
We're into the 10th day of 2009, around the time many of us are acknowledging that resolutions made under the influence of “festive spirits” aren’t going to last.
No resolutions for me, though. I’m following the wisdom of my other half who believes you don’t need a new year to make a resolution that is good for you.
Still, as we reflect on a turbulent past year and look ahead with some trepidation, why not ask what we can resolve to do, to make life more pleasant for ourselves and those around us?
You and I can’t help the world economic crisis or the senseless wars. But we can try to lead better lives.
For a start, let’s be more patient and considerate drivers. No cutting queues, no driving like mad people, no intimidating other drivers or giving them reason to intimidate you, no hogging the fast lane while out for a casual Sunday morning drive on Wednesday, no indiscriminate parking and no flouting traffic rules.
Too much to remember? Well, in the first three days of 2009, two dozen people died in road accidents around the country. Mull on this.
Then, how about getting to know your neighbours better?
More importantly, how about creating a community in your neighbourhood, regardless of your cultural or religious backgrounds? Then you can watch out for one other and make your neighbourhood safer and friendlier.
Better still, how about organising occasional get-togethers with your neighbours, where everyone brings food and chews the fat? This can be fun.
You can also practise civic-conscious habits that should be a given by now, but sadly aren’t. These include not littering, and not letting your pets treat parks, sidewalks, roads and other people’s gardens as their toilets.
Also, prevent your cats from proliferating uncontrollably and turning the neighbourhood into their battleground!
Need to dispose of big items from your house? There are people who will carry it away for you, for a nominal fee. In fact, there are even people who’ll do it for free, if these items can be recycled. Leaving such things outside your gate and hoping that they will disappear doesn’t contribute towards making a better neighbourhood. No one likes to walk or drive out in the morning to a dumpsite!
Here’s a great idea for smokers: be extra careful with your smoke and don’t let it irritate others. Stop leaving butts in toilets and basins, and refrain from smoking where it’s not allowed.
Then, at the movies, how about keeping your mobile phone silent and out of sight, so you don’t infuriate your fellow moviegoers?
Find yourself a hobby. Having something creative to do in your spare time is better and healthier than vegetating in front of the TV or going back to the office on the pretext of work. After all, the best of employers insist their workers lead a harmonious and fulfilling life at home, so they bring those good vibes to work. And as we all know, good vibes show in your work, qualitatively and quantitatively.
Yeah, I know, I’m getting too preachy!
On a personal note, the one thing I’d like to do from now is to eat healthy and exercise regularly. But that’s something I say all the time, so here’s hoping for the best.
You may realise I’ve had my say on most of the above in the past, in expanded form. If some of this has, well, inspired you to think wisely and act for the better, great, and thank you. If it hasn’t, we need to talk.
MOHD ADHA MOHD ZAIN (ADHA ZAIN)
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