Urban waste - humans

There you go, I am the first to admit it, those of us urban intellectual folks in big cities are the biggest culprits or wasters (we are part of the waste in that case), we plunder our mother earth and strip her of natural resources (forests, water, elements) , to feed our factories, cars, buildings (and ourselves) and consume/waste it all for our short-sighted creature comforts. As much as possible, lets not contribute to the climatic calamities around us - extreme weather conditions, floods, haze, pollution, wastage , etc. As an immediate step, cut down consumption (food, appliances, luxuries, plastic, paper publications, etc). Do no print everything, read online where possible. Do not drive (or buy hybrid/electric car), take public transport or walk, cycle where possible. Switch off appliances (not put on standby), reduce air-conditioning especially in public buildings like shopping malls and offices and our homes. I have taken little steps like the above, like leaving car at home once or twice a week (there is no direct bus/train to my office & journey is long), minimise air-con usage, save water, switch off mains power on electrical items not required, walk to nearby amenities, reduce plastic usage & unnecessary gadgets/appliances in my life. Lets learn from the rural or country folks - not poor but "rich" in their own way - eating enough food (not overeat), do hard work, enough clothing/accessories, enjoy minimalist living with basic necessities, and not over-spend (talking about those who choose to do so)translates to a happy, satisfied life ! The Ghandian way or the Confucious way, go for it ! Protect our heritage, give back to Mother Nature what she has given us.

Going into 2010...

New year, new beginnings, resolutions and changes

Hope to renew myself this year , yet again..realign the standard personal priorities in this order..to health, family, spiritual, career (plan A), planB and the rest after that...no different from last year.

Life is full of surprises and changes. Grateful for my mother in law being here for the past year, she's here looking after the kids and our house very well and indirectly, after us (our peace of mind). My better half is working and preoccupied with our kids, their education, and our home. My mum is happy to be in KL with her four darling girls (2 daughters amd 2 teenage grand-daughters), i am very happy for her. Sons visit her when we can, on long holidays. Better life for her there anyways, nothing like closer to home, good medical-care too.

I have a hundred things on my mind (constant challenges and unnecessary worry/stress) , the past six-month yoga class helps destress a bit, and going for chinmaya gita talks by swamiji do help as well. Need a more regular dose of this new-age (or repackaged old-age mantra) and its time to move to higher gear. Lets see how it goes.

Current job is not going anywhere, pay-wise or position-wise, (supposed to give up all ambition, ITS DESTINY as our God says, of course you still put in all the effort), plan B (confidential for now) is slow-moving, almost no chance of moving down under , realised nothing much over there (likely not a good move at this time ANYWAYS).
Lets see what the future holds.

Meanwhile, happy to see the world is out of the global financial crisis of last year (for now), economy is improving here and where it matters. Hoping that translates to better global awareness of global warming and doing something CONCRETE about it, where people and corporations globally REDUCE DRASTICALLY their carbon footprints. The natural disasters , and those attributed to nature (severe winters up north and very hot dry summers or floods everywhere else), are making themselves very, very visible and SIGNIFICANT enough to worry us. Humans have all a moral responsibility to protect mother Earth (our home for millions of years) , and we are NOT doing enough at all (including yours truly). More of it in the next BLOG/