adminIn the world of technology we were made to understand that every computer would crash, thus everything that was computerised would malfunction. I even had a dream about the Terminator, a character played by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the movie franchise Terminator.
Anyone who wanted to sell anything would say: “my product is Y2K compliant.” From Hi-fi stereos, cellphones, television sets and even guys at eRenkini selling maize, and other things that one might need when boarding a country bus would say their things were “Y2K compliant.”
I used to be one of those people who would look at one’s flaws, faults, bad habits, and failed ambitions, and resolve to do better in the future.
However, when the next year came the same things I said I would not do featured most in the previous year. New Year’s resolutions are far easier to make than they are to keep, it doesn’t stop us from promising ourselves a more successful, more productive and happier year than the last one.
I am pathetic when it comes to keeping to resolutions and targets. In 2011 I realised that the first quarter of the year had passed by before I had even achieved my first set target. Today it’s December the 31st and when I take a look I only achieved one out of twenty set goals and resolutions in 2011 which is five percent of my wish for the year that has come to an end.
It is the same trend for most of us. Unfortunately for many, the results turn into a pattern: January 1, we start off determined to follow through on our goals. Excited and energised, we think that this year will be different from the last, when our resolutions went by the wayside. But come February or even mid-January, the majority of us have abandoned our goals altogether.
So why do we continue to make resolutions every year even though so few of us follow through?
That is not to say I had a bad year but I still have a lot to work on to be 2012 compliant.
1. I have to look for a church that will suit my lifestyle. I should avoid churches that claim to cast out demons and make examples out of me (and everyone else in the church). The church I need to single out should not judge people on their material capabilities. There is one Pentecostal church that I attended one Sunday and the emphasis was on bling (they call it blessings by the way). People who were wearing counterfeit Armani suits were getting special attention (obviously the church leaders didn’t know the difference between original and fake) but to them the guy in a shiny suit was of more value than us the People of Valueless Opinion (POVO) who were just clad in jeans, sneakers and T shirts.
2. This one is a tough resolution. I have been making this resolution ever-since my first pay cheque. I wish I would not go broke even on one single day. This would be a WOW! achievement considering that half the time I am usually broke. As long as I keep putting this on my wish-list there would come a day when I say: “being broke is childish.”
3. I am one of those lazy people who do not like reading but in this fast changing world I have no choice but to feed the mind which is in need. There are a number of works by Zimbabwean personalities that were written last year from Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangarai’s memoirs to some Zimbabwean literature. One thing for certain is that the first 200 pages of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s book are boring that is why I failed to finish reading it. But I would skip those 200 or so pages and continue reading maybe I will enjoy one chapter at least.
4. It is a frequently repeated statement that men are singularly bad at visiting the doctor. By and large, men prefer to say nothing and hope that a problem goes away rather than be seen as a hypochondriac or a wuss. But this year is the time to change that. I will make an appointment for that check-up, even if it is just to confirm that everything’s working the way it should be. The importance of one’s health cannot be overstated.
5. I know three men whose resolutions would have a bearing on their political careers. President Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Professor Welshman Ncube but I don’t know about Dumiso Dabengwa the leader of Zapu, Simba Makoni of the Mavambo project (if they decide to join the presidential election race). The three GPA principals resolution is to the effect of their political parties winning the general elections that would most likely be in 2012. Where do we (you and I) come in? We should make sure our names are on the voters roll so that we vote for a candidate of our choice.
6. A great way to feel better about one’s self is by helping those in need. We realise that not everyone has lots of time to devote to this, but whatever I can do to help is worth doing. Whether that is volunteering in a children’s home (especially helpful in the winter) or helping the elderly cross the road, I wish to make 2012 the year when I start thinking about making the world better for everyone else. It is very easy to become self-absorbed and forget there are always people in need of help. I made that mistake this year.
With my five percent success rate I wonder which one would be achieved.
Online Reporter