Everybody is into it. So why not harness it to make things better for us as a nation.
Our resolutions every first day of the year are meant to make things better. Or are attempts to redeem ourselves from past failures or mistakes, particularly those that became bad habits.
These, however, would be empty or meaningless without owning the mistakes in the first place and then, with all humility come out with plans of action including how to sustain the effort. Easy to say but talk is cheap. What is often lacking is the required tenacity.
For so many, the process has become mechanical over the years. Journals or diaries are full of it. This time we should really take stock of the results of our past efforts and why we fell short, then make amends.
Our individual achievements would always redound to society’s progress. The sum will certainly be big even if per capita is minuscule.
Every resolution will end up affecting the economy even something so common as doing regular exercise. People will be better at work and their outputs. They will not only look better, leaner and healthier. Such will translate to savings in medical bills, lower prices of smaller clothes, lower fuel costs as planes will be lighter and not have to burn lots of OPEC juice, etc.
Similarly, a wife’s less nagging over the next 12 months will boil down to huge cuts in pills against high blood pressure. Or less alcohol gulped and cigarettes puffed by henpecked hubbies to deal with anger.
Even bigger on the positive side would be the effects of giving up on vices, particularly, by men. Not just on the monetary side but also on the wholesomeness of family life.
But collectively, we would reap the most if the effort is to earn more or to increase profits. It would be an economic shot in the arm. Businesses or factories will be in high gear. More will be employed. Family contentment levels will be higher and more kids will be able to go to school.
Rosy these maybe, but would just be in our dreams unless people will be dogged in pursuing their resolutions. If these were mere jokes from the get go, it will only show one thing about us. That we are just a bunch of jerks. **