‘Tis the time for resolutions! The word ‘resolution’ means a promise, pledge, oath or vow. It is a word that is full of hope and determination. Traditionally, we make a personal promise to change something in our lives at the start of the year. A change for the better… a positive change.

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Easier promised than accomplished, you say? Well, you are right! Experience tells us that the mortality rate for such resolutions is high. But let me hasten to suggest that this happens not for lack of trying. We want to change… it’s them who won’t let us.

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Who’s them? Well, they are the people in your neighborhood – the people that you meet when you’re walkin’ down the street, they’re the people that you meet… each day!

Consider this scenario: it’s New Year’s Eve and you are in high spirits, walking down your street, looking forward to a bright tomorrow, when … someone throws a lit firecracker your way scaring the living daylights out of you. That’s when you abandon your resolutions and let the culprit have a tongue lashing. What a way to start the new year, eh?

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Another common situation is when you dutifully get in line at a fast-food counter, an ATM machine, a government office window, an expressway toll booth lane (with your vehicle) when … someone cuts in your queue. Que barbaridad!

Or how about when you are driving your four-wheeler behind another vehicle trying to maintain the proper distance in case that car brakes suddenly when… someone on a two-wheeler materializes out of nowhere and zips into that gap in front of your car, missing your front fender by a few inches. Que horror!

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But it gets worse. When you try to complain verbally or honk your horn in protest, all you get invariably is a glare that says “How dare you call attention to my action?” The tables are turned and it appears that you are the offender. Hmmm… okay, you can stop nodding now.

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Are you worked up yet?

But we have taken only a few samples of hassles we encounter on the street; our day has just begun. As you arrive at your place of work or school, you’d expect that problems will be encountered – that’s a given.

In a twinkling of an eye, our daily serving of pet peeves begins to build up. Deadlines, backlog due to procrastination, intrigues, altercations, inconveniences, etc. accumulate and threaten to reach critical mass. The day ends, mercifully it seems, but on your trip home you have to run the gauntlet of traffic.

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It is said that we are a nation of exceptional people. Yes, but as one wag points out, it’s because many consider themselves or their actions as exceptions to the rule.

Another wise guy quips we are a race of dependable people because we love to say “It depends” whenever regulations are in question.

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Home at last. Haven for the weary soul and mind. Today’s pressure cookers are gone for now.
Then you turn on the TV. Big mistake.
Your brief interlude ends as the network news reports anomalies, corruption, incompetence, botched-up hostage rescue operations, mayhem on the streets and other absurdities. Domestic and relational problems become the pièce de résistance of the day’s troubles. Needless to say, you may have trouble sleeping tonight.

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Before you blame me for ruining your day, may I share with you one of my antidotes for stress?
Yes, you guessed it – BADMINTON!

Engaging in a sport like badminton is excellent in reducing high blood sugar and cholesterol; it decreases the chances of hypertension and other stress-related disorders. When you indulge in sports, you are less likely to have depression, anxiety and other psychological ailments.

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In the badminton court, I have a sense of order and control. Haphazardness and recklessness have no business here. Rules rule! Control freak I am not however; it’s just that with all the chaos in the outside world, badminton helps me find my bearings.

Mental focus, physical exertion and relaxation co-exist paradoxically. This dynamic tension gives me a natural high; the inanities and insanities of daily life are diminished albeit for a while.

For a while, I am in my element.

And yet… I will take that brief time out from the daily grind anytime.

And that’s a promise. (wink)