KUCHING: What is the deal with new year resolutions? Where are we now in terms of its application?
Are people still making them and why? For answers to these questions we spoke to a number of Kuchingites with hopes to garner the latest insights people have on the matter.
History tells us people have been making resolutions either to the gods or within themselves for over 4,000 years.
We reached out to Roger Chen, a holistic medical practitioner in Kuching for his comments.
“New Year resolutions in my view are important guides to our journey into another year or time zone. Success in life demands a ‘route-map’ be it in the government, businesses or individuals. Without a plan, all wishes remain as wishes and become impossible to implement in real life.
“Personally, I resolve to aim higher in my vocation as a holistic health practitioner (HHP) and now that the Traditional and Complimentary Medicines Act 2016 (Akta 775) is to be given wider enforcement by the Ministry of Health, I wish to see local practitioners of Chinese medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy, nutritional therapy and other modalities network for the benefit of local communities.
“Many people with chronic diseases can find good relief and comfort from natural therapies when used as adjunct to western medicine.”
Kamarul Bakeri, general manager of a local Events Agency, says that he doesn’t really make resolutions because he feels that the tradition is counter-productive.
“Should one fail to achieve their goals, usually the resolution will be brought forward to the following year and so on yearly.
“When these resolutions are not met it may cause hard feelings or a sense of giving up. So I have decided to just go with the flow and strive for the best every year.”
Sim Kiang Chiok, a property developer and political activist thinks it is important to have resolutions as a guide for the coming year. He feels that it will motivate oneself from within and help remind ourselves of the promises we have made to our own selves.
“Having resolution and trying to achieve it, will help us move in the direction we like to be in and hopefully all in a progressive manner.
“I for one will strive to achieve my own wish list which is for all my children to be educated to their maximum potential and they will contribute to Sarawak’s nation building and development into a developed and happy nation.”
Politically, his resolution is to inform all Sarawakians that Sarawak should only be led by Sarawak-based parties.
“We have to expose or show the people all the spinning, half-truths and U-turns propagated by Malayan based parties.
“We should all resolve to get back our oil wealth and hold the federal government accountable to us for their broken promises.”
Carrie Ann David, a business executive with a local broadcasting company thinks that many may find that each year they have a need to make a resolution but she questions how many will go on to actually do it?
As for herself she finds that most of the time resolutions, especially farfetched ones are a bit too difficult to achieve within just a year.
“Make simple resolutions that are attainable. Something that you know you can achieve and not to be over ambitious.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day so keep our feet on the ground and make reasonable wishes that we can actually make them happen.”
Samuel Tabad, an online English tutor and gamer, is a non-believer in the idea of making resolutions. He feels that it is akin to lying to one’s self.
“I will join and go to a gym”, “I will save more money”, “ I will be a better person” or “New year New me”.
“If you aren’t making these changes in your life now and putting them off until some ‘mystical’ new calendar year, you won’t make them then and keep to it. If you have something you feel you need to change in your life, do it now and not later.”
” New Year resolutions in my view are important guides to our journey into another year or time zone. Success in life demands a ‘route-map’ be it in the government, businesses or individuals. ”
Kho Teck Wan, a computer systems analyst and SUPP Women Wing chief has a similar but softer approach to the matter.
“Personally 2018 has been a great year full of wonderful and valuable life experiences. I don’t normally have any new year resolution as everyday can be a new beginning.”
“That being said, I do hope that we learn from our mistakes, celebrate our achievements in 2018, continue to do what is right, and welcome 2019 with great sense of purpose and faith.”
“I will continue to serve my hometown Kuching as MBKS councillor and lead the SUPP Women Section in 2019 for my fellow Sarawakians. Let’s safeguard Sarawak for our children, and build an even better Sarawak together. God bless anak Sarawak.”
Wan Ibrahim Wan Ali, who is a retired civil servant feels that, “resolutions are about changing for the better or getting rid of old habits.
“There is no need to wait for a new year to be a new person. The sooner the better. Anytime is good to stop smoking for instance. Don’t dwell on it too much I would say. And where there is a will there is a way.”
Generally we can see a trend towards a more realistic approach to life from all our respondents. The general agreement is that resolving to change oneself should be ongoing and not pegged to any occasions such as the new year only.
We at the New Sarawak Tribune resolve to always give our readers the best of journalism and we wish everyone a Happy New Year.
