It's a new year again. Resolutions are not always written down. Many such promises are often not fulfilled. But here's a list to refresh your memory.
1. I will not spread what appears to be fake news on social media. Nor will I check authenticity. If it sounds too ridiculous to be true, it must be fake. And if it is not, it will resurface, if only to be condemned as fake.
2. I will practice intermittent fasting, the interval will be determined on the same day. Being able to see my toes (and other bulges) without bending over in the shower is my goal. I will only eat salad, fish and fruits. I will reduce my intake of meat and carbs. I will eat heartily just to be polite and not displease the host by refusing Lechon And Peking duck.
There will be times when there will be no business or social meetings over meals. There is no problem in having lunch alone. (Table for one please). Even dine-in places can accommodate a single customer who orders only soup and salad with a glass of water.
3. I will stop crying. This is unproductive and irritates other people. They don't really care about health issues or EV charging problems.
4. Road rage is an expression of mental instability. I would try to ignore motorcycles that swerve across three lanes to make a U-turn. It's true that I don't drive anymore. But backseat drivers can also lean over to open the passenger window and wave their stick at aggressive cars and motorcycles. (Is that old man shouting?)
5. Jealousy is a deadly sin to which I must not succumb. If people close to me get good fortune, I can only wish them well. Their happiness will have no impact on how I feel about myself. The feeling of self-worth comes from within. It does not need confirmation from others.
6. Love it or hate it, my country is my country. I will not allow others, including fellow countrymen, especially those living abroad and just visiting, to malign it. It may not have the best government. Nevertheless, the place is booming, perhaps forgotten but left in peace by foreign investors. I will always try to present the good side of it to whoever listens to me. I will make a list of its characteristics and remember these for delivery at the next meeting where topic A always seems to be: What I hate about this country.
7. I reject skepticism. I believe things can always get better. This optimism extends to the economy. There are honest people who are trying to make the country better. They are unsung heroes and deserve to be recognized. These people may be difficult to find but the knowledge that they are there – though not where I can meet them – is quite a consolation. I know that one day the country will join the group of countries about which good things are said. It may not happen in the next five years, but it will happen one day.
8. I will maintain my attitude and sense of humor. The country is not going to the dogs. Otherwise, we need a lot of dog catchers. True, laughing at adversity and distress reveals a shallow mind. But getting stuck in a state of pessimism and despair is equally destructive.
9. I will look on the bright side of political reform. At the local government level, there are many successes worth celebrating and there are good people in charge. Could this be the beginning of true national revival?
Anyway, there are much more interesting topics to talk about than floods and corruption. What about superficial things like the impact of social media in the rise of online shopping and the potential decline of physical stores? Is AI going to replace humans even in choosing blind dates?
10. I will try to listen more and not interrupt others when discussing the merits of cryptocurrencies. Anyway, it's time to take a toilet break.
I will try to keep these promises as much as possible. If I fail at something, the next year is always there to make up for it.
Tony Samson is President and CEO of TOUCH xda
ar.samson@yahoo.com