By Dennie Quill, ContributorHERE WE are in 2004. This new dawn reminds me that time is everything, it seems like only yesterday we were ushering in 2003. Whatever we want to achieve for ourselves is always measured in time, so there is great significance in the beginning of a New Year.
The early Babylonians used to set personal resolutions as a means of self-evaluation and renewal and so the tradition has continued. Self-evaluation is good but it calls for honesty. Half of the evaluation or assessment has to do with where you are now, the other half relates to where you are going. It's no good fooling yourself that you did a great job when the evidence all around points to a lousy performance.
I have a very good friend who has been struggling with a weight problem for most of her life. I have listened to her trying to convince herself: "my tummy is coming down, see!" As I watch her tug at the folds of fat across her mid-section I told her she should have become a politician because, like her, politicians are hostile to reality - they have the ability to look at an ugly situation and describe in graphic terms the beauty within. But so much for shying away from reality.
QUESTIONS
Year after year we face the New Year with some hard questions like "What can I do to become a better person"? "What can I do to make more money"? "How can I become more successful"? Tough questions I will admit. One of the things I often do is to liken every New Year to a new-born infant. Sweet and innocent, full of hope and dreams with the eyes of everyone trained on the young thing as it develops and takes each little step.
For those who experienced personal tragedy in 2003 you are perhaps happy to close the book on a horrible year. Enviably there are some who spent 2003 in utter bliss oblivious of the hardships and despair that some of our fellow beings have been put through.
Even with the hardships though, don't be too quick to forget 2003, we can learn from those experiences and we can take wisdom from the past. I believe the exhortation that when we examine the past and learn from it we will walk into the future stronger and better.
So what of my New Year's goals? My goals are not personal but national, for I feel if the country is doing well I can enjoy the things I like in relative comfort. I will see examples of more employed people who are enjoying a better quality of life. If life improves for more people there may be less beggars on the streets, perhaps less criminality. So on the top of my list for 2004 is I want to see better leadership in this dear land of ours. I want to see inspired leadership. I crave for determined leadership. I would love to see unselfish leadership. I long for honest leadership. We need better leadership in the home and family, in the workplace in the fields of play and in civil society. It starts with each of us.
Here's what I am talking about. Not too long ago I visited a town in Clarendon and a road sign had fallen to the ground and I asked one of community leaders why was the sign not fixed. He replied: "we are waiting for the people from Kingston to come and fix it." For real! This fallen road sign did not affect the "people from Kingston", yet there was no one in that community who could take charge of the situation. This community is crying out for leadership and there are many other areas across the country where this need is dire.
WITHIN MY MEANS
My other goal is that I plan to live within my means. I will never borrow unless I know how I am going to pay back and I would never borrow money for non-essentials. It's a fairly easy goal for me, because I usually plan well ahead before undertaking any major expenditure. If I can't pay back then obviously I can't afford it. How about this as a national goal? Dr. Omar Davies, our Finance Minister is extremely good at borrowing money, and we have come to learn from him that he may not put this money to the best use in the country's interest, especially in an election year. However, given the current cash crunch - maybe Dr. Davies will also have this goal on his list of priorities for 2004.
My personal goals also include praying longer, laughing harder and worrying less. The Internet means different things to different people. For me it is a wonderful instrument that brings friends and family closer no matter where they are. And today I received an excellent card from someone I had not seen in about four years and her wish for me was simply this, "May this be the best year of your life." I am going to do everything to make it the best year and may I wish for you all prosperity and buckets full of love.
Dennie Quill is a veteran journalist who may be reached at denniequill@hotmail.com.
