2020: Aim for Practical Resolutions
Manila
December 30, 2019
As the year rapidly draws to a close, many of us tend to regret the errors and mistakes we made in 2019. Did I anger a close friend who understands me? Did I lose his or her respect and support for my stupid ideas and would-be achievements? How gain back that friend? Did I spend money on useless projects, ideas or people and now I can’t get it back? Or do I have to suffer the loss of that resource? Did I commit some basic error of judgment and foul up my career or social well being? How can I recuperate that error and get myself back on the right track again?
A number of us, however, might be able to count on a few key blessings, those good things that happen to us and strengthen us in our life mold, in our aspiration to be a reliable member of the community and a solid friend to count on. In most cases, such good blessings had little to do with money. Perhaps some important person read my essay and offered to publish a book, if I would get down to write it! Or a student I sponsored has just passed her LET exam and is now being recruited as a high school teacher in a major city, launching a lifetime career of service in education. Knowing about that success strengthens me in my resolve to support other similarly worthy students. Or did someone compliment my work and achievements and thus inspire me to work harder and be more successful?
With that as background let us try to organize a few resolutions.
First, could we try to do at least one good deed per day, to someone, anyone, a helping hand to a senior or pregnant lady crossing the street, carrying someone’s packages, a nice word or greeting to sales vendors who really get bored with dumb customers, or just giving a more respectable tip at the restaurant.
Second, as we get older, especially in senior years, family becomes important. Could I do something at least once a week to strengthen family ties? A phone call, a message, a nice page on facebook, a visit, sending a surprise regalo or bringing some special cooked dish.
Third, is there something I can do for the community? My kapwa pinoy at pinay? Maybe a cake for the Sunday choir who come voluntarily and sing so beautifully. A cellphone and Smart dealer card, so a student can sell load to his or her friends at school and earn pocket money for school expenses. Some funds for puhunan of squatter kids who can then buy clothes in Divisoria and sell them in their neighbourhood (some can make 50% profit on this!). Also think of contributions that are productive like puhunan, and not just consumption like eating food. I consider the cake above as productive because it is a reward for their service and often for a birthday. Did you ever have a birthday without a birthday cake? Malungkot!
Basta, resolutions? YES! But keep them simple with target activities to measure them by.