Another calendar year ends, yet life goes on. We bring to 2012 many things that beg our attention: they come in different sizes, big and small challenges. It’s not that we want to trouble ourselves, it’s just because they need to be done. C’est la vie.
Preparedness
Number one now on my list is the threat of more environmental changes and their after-effects. With the possibility of more sudden landslides, flooding, and other natural calamities, let us at least be more adept at rescuing those that need to be saved, and bringing relief to those affected.
Corollary to the phenomenon of changing climates, let us intensify our individual efforts to help forestall more damages to the ecology. Less plastic use, conservation of fossil fuels, tree-planting, garbage segregation … there are countless ways of doing our share.
Healthy lifestyle
A healthier life is next. There is just so much resources wasted in treating illnesses that otherwise could have been avoided. Not only does sickness eat up on individual productivity, it wastes money on medicines that could have been spent on other urgent essentials.
As our health officials advocate, let’s observe a lifestyle that brooks less nonsense. Eat foods with less fat, less salt, less sugar. Avoid junk: processed, canned, chips, preserves. Keep fit and firm with exercise. Keep away from cigarettes; drink moderately.
Giving back
Give back to your community. And I’m not referring to the help you give when there’s a calamity. Pick up an advocacy that fits your taste. Organize and take part in Sunday schools; teach livelihood crafts; put in regular volunteer hours in your neighborhood’s medical and dental clinics… I’m sure you’ll find something worthwhile to contribute.
So many people, including children, need help in a sustainable way. It’s better to teach a man to fish than to simply give him food to bring home. Just like making sure that a young child graduates to the next level with a firm grasp of his math goes a long, long way.
Continue learning
Last in this list is the continuing journey to improve oneself. Be humble, even in the company of the young. You’d be surprised at just how much you can learn from them – or from others. Learning is a lifelong undertaking, and mastery is an unending quest.
In the same breath, never tire of sharing what you know.
As we start a new year, allow me to greet each and every one of our readers a sincere wish for a better life and a better country. In parting, I would like to share excerpts of the Holy Pope’s Christmas message.
‘Come to save us!’
“Dear brothers and sisters in Rome and throughout the world, on this Christmas 2011, let us then turn to the Child of Bethlehem, to the Son of the Virgin Mary, and say: “Come to save us!” Let us repeat these words in spiritual union with the many people who experience particularly difficult situations; let us speak out for those who have no voice.
“Together let us ask God’s help for the peoples of the Horn of Africa, who suffer from hunger and food shortages, aggravated at times by a persistent state of insecurity. May the international community not fail to offer assistance to the many displaced persons coming from that region and whose dignity has been sorely tried.
“May the Lord grant comfort to the peoples of South-East Asia, particularly Thailand and the Philippines, who are still enduring grave hardships as a result of the recent floods.
“May the Lord come to the aid of our world torn by so many conflicts which even today stain the earth with blood. May the Prince of Peace grant peace and stability to that Land where he chose to come into the world, and encourage the resumption of dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians. May he bring an end to the violence in Syria, where so much blood has already been shed. May he foster full reconciliation and stability in Iraq and Afghanistan. May he grant renewed vigour to all elements of society in the countries of North Africa and the Middle East as they strive to advance the common good.
“May the birth of the Saviour support the prospects of dialogue and cooperation in Myanmar, in the pursuit of shared solutions. May the Nativity of the Redeemer ensure political stability to the countries of the Great Lakes Region of Africa, and assist the people of South Sudan in their commitment to safeguarding the rights of all citizens.
“Dear Brothers and Sisters, let us turn our gaze anew to the grotto of Bethlehem. The Child whom we contemplate is our salvation! He has brought to the world a universal message of reconciliation and peace. Let us open our hearts to him; let us receive him into our lives. Once more let us say to him, with joy and confidence: “Veni ad salvandum nos!””
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