The thing about resolutions is that they are all done in
good faith. I cannot remember the resolutions I made when the year changed from
2014 to 2015 and therefore can safely say that I neither honoured nor broke
any.
So with 2016 I think I’d rather list down 10 rules of
day-to-day living that I will continue to abide by because they have served me
well thus far.
Rule 1:
I DON ’T
WORRY ABOUT WHO DOESN’T LIKE ME BECAUSE I’M TOO BUSY
LOVING THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE ME.
This is a conscious act of the will and I find it very
effective. The underlying principle is life is short and it is wonderful to be
surrounded by people who care for you and to be able to love and care for
others in return. I have so many new and not so new friends who are genuinely
interested in being concerned about one another. The bottom line is I cannot
please everyone and there’ll always be someone who will find fault, real or imagined,
with me. So why let someone else’s myopic view of you spoil your day?
Rule 2:
IN EVERYTHING I DO, I GIVE IT MY
BEST SHOT. NO HALF MEASURES.
I agree with this wholeheartedly - be it going to the
office, delving into a hobby or doing voluntary work. I find that some people
are ‘embarrassed’ with their own quality of work and think that it is not good
enough. For me, if I’ve pitched in my
best effort, then it is certainly good enough for myself and others, if not
excellent.
Rule 3:
COMMITMENT, RESPONSIBILITY,
DELIVERY: ACTIONS, NOT WORDS.
It is easy to make empty promises and saying yes when we
mean no. I have learnt that if I say yes, then it becomes my responsibility to
deliver. I have also learnt that it is not easy to say no. When others expect you
to say yes to a favour and the answer is no, more often than not, they become
miffed. At the end of the day, it is more important to be honest with yourself
and not take more than you can handle or are comfortable with.
Rule 4:
BEFORE I STEP OUT OF MY HOUSE (EVEN
FOR A LOAF OF BREAD), I MUST LOOK PRESENTABLE.
I’ve always believed in the quality of the product and its
packaging. A good product looks better if it is packaged beautifully.
Rule 5:
WHEN UNSURE, IT IS BETTER TO BE
OVERDRESSED THAN UNDERDRESSED.
So far, I have not gone wrong on this point. It is always
pleasant to the eye to look good and feel good.
Rule 6:
Like most Malaysians I enjoy good food. Tastes change with
age and sweet things do not lure me as much as savoury stuff and I guess I eat
most things that walk or swim. Occasional treats are most welcome but gluttony
or indulgence is not. When the weather is good, I take my walks.
Rule 7:
GIVE OF MY TIME, TALENTS AND
MONEY. THEY ARE NOT MINE TO BEGIN WITH.
I have to remind myself of this regularly lest I think I can
bring them to the grave with me.
Rule 8:
LET GO OF THE THINGS I CANNOT
CHANGE.
Never enter marriage thinking you can change a person. There
are many things or people that we cannot agree with but it is not my job to
change them. The only changes I can make are within myself.
Rule 9:
BE GRATEFUL, NEVER TAKE FOR GRANTED
THE PEOPLE OR THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE AROUND US.
It is so very important to appreciate our family and friends
because there is tendency to forget the people who are around us all the time.
The words ‘I love you’ or ‘thank you’ must never be in short supply.
Rule 10:
This is the rule that holds up all the others. I don’t
believe in holding back love when I care for a person even if I have gone
through bad experiences. I wake up being grateful that I have the opportunity
to live another day in good health and surrounded by warmth. Most of all I’m
determined to forgive others, because if I choose to hold on to grudges and
hurts, I am the one who is most trapped.
Wishing all readers a
happy new year!
This article was originally printed in the NEW STRAITS TIMES MALAYSIA, 3 JANUARY 2016
http://digital.nstp.com.my/nst/books/160103nstnews/index.html#/23/
This article was originally printed in the NEW STRAITS TIMES MALAYSIA, 3 JANUARY 2016
http://digital.nstp.com.my/nst/books/160103nstnews/index.html#/23/
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