Let us have a better today

This got me into critical thinking of what I did these past years. As I look back I have done nothing much. Maybe it is developing my character for a better me. Or it is learning more morals and values and applying it. Also, as a good human being, the best decision that I have ever made was accepting God as my personal Lord and Saviour. Knowing His word and praying is essential for me to have a better tomorrow or future. Though we do have indigenous brands coming up in unique ways to curb and curtail the use of plastics, there is no instantaneous way to do away with it.

Hence, in my own way I have taken up the responsibility to recycle them in a bid to keep the environment cleaner, and for a better future. I collect Amul milk packets over a certain period of time- about 3 months - as they have the recycle icon ?? printed on the packet. Step 1: Thoroughly clean the packet with water to get rid of the smell. Step 2: Dry the packets. Step 3: Stack the packets neatly to send them for recycling. Here are some packets clipped together to dry. It has become a daily process as much today as yesterday and tomorrow, acceptance. It has been an attitude of mine for some years and keeps me sane along with an attitude of gratitude.

I’m a senior and not as bent on reinventing my future self as being content with my daily life and maintaining my beliefs and faith. If you haven’t arrived at a point in your life where you can say, there the job is done, I can live with who I have become and the rest of the world might as well accept me as I am. I am not saying that there isn’t room for improvement but seeing as I live alone and this is the extent of my social life, as long as I’m not offending you or anyone else I can live with myself. I don’t know if what I share here will help you or be of any importance to anyone else and do it out of no sense of obligation or intent at any improvement in my future self.

There are plenty of small but crucial things, which everyone can do for a better tomorrow but for that we have to conquer ignorance. I would like to mention a simple deed, which my family has been practicing for a year now. These days most of us are using a RO water purifier at our homes. You must have noticed that a large amount of water is thrown out as waste, which is for every 1 litre of purified water, 3 litres of water is wasted. My parents noticed this and therefore attached a small extra pipeline from RO purifier's outlet to a tank of about 60 litres. By the end of the day, it gets nearly full. This water is then used for household chores like cleaning, washing and gardening. Thus, we are saving about 60 litres of water everyday which amounts to more than 20,000 litres of water in a year. We have also stopped using one time plastic and Styrofoam utensils.

This is our planet so let's do the right things. Let future generations look at us as a responsible generation of people. But, as soon as the strike was called off, I went back to my old ways and made use of public transport for travelling anywhere. I had almost given up the idea too of learning the vehicle. However, the good thing was that this time unlike the past years, I had made a firm decision of making and fulfilling my new year resolutions. And, one of my new year resolutions is to learn 2/4 wheeler. God knows when I’m going to fulfill the 4 wheeler resolution but as of now, I’m on my way of clearing 1 wish/resolution of my new year.

Don't just dream about some things work hard for it, be better, train yourself, try to deal with situations the positive way , do things that make you happy, if somebody bullies you or resorts to violence, don't just lose your self respect there, fight for it , but by using ways , in which you don't harm others, try and avoid people that make your life feel like shit , be closer to people that want you succeed that love you, be passionate about what you do, find your interests, set hobbies and habits that build you and mould you in a better person, always see the good in situations, grab opportunities that come your way , believe in hard work than anything else, meditate, do yoga, cultivate habits that contribute to your growth, get away from toxic people, have a good diet, really effects the mood in a good way, eat healthy and sleep well, take one day at a time, forgive everyone before going to bed, start fresh each day.

Stop complaining. If you can change a situation, go ahead; otherwise change your attitude towards it and work towards the solution. Quit watching long hours of mindless programs on TV & pick up a book. Don’t be mean or hurtful towards others. You never know what struggles others are going through and your rude remarks may just break them more. It also comes back on you. Be good towards others. Develop empathy. Be compassionate. Don’t be negative. If you don’t have anything good to say, better to say nothing at all! Being negative will impact your life (judging by vicarious learning in my life so far). Stop making excuses. Do not blame others. Learn to be accountable for your actions.

Make others feel good, valued & motivated. Smile & compliment others. Put others before you. Listen to what they have to say. Don’t cut them short. Don’t speak until other have finished. Make it more about You/Your instead of I/Me/My. Groom yourself. Wear clothes that make you look presentable; maintain hygiene and apply fragrances. Improve your knowledge. If you don’t know something, research on it. Read about it or watch documentaries & Ted talks. Give up gossiping/slandering - you could seriously hurt others. Instead, talk about beneficial topics. Give gifts, whether it is for a birthday party or a dinner invitation. Don’t go empty-handed. Gift-giving strengthens your bond with others. Learn to adapt to change. Develop life goals and work out an agenda to accomplish them. Commit yourself to self-development/personal growth. Cheers!