by Ricky Jimenez
As of this writing, the world is still reeling from the devastating natural disasters that have struck Japan and New Zealand. Human lives, public and private properties, and parts of the natural environment in those areas were lost in an instant.
As if there is no end to human sufferings, conflicts have taken so much toll to warring factions in Libya and parts of the Arab world seeking reforms in their government systems. As always, at the receiving end of punishing campaigns of attrition are the innocent civilians caught in the crossfire between the pro-government and rebel forces. The negative effects of such conflicts are seen in the weekly rise in the price of gasoline products inasmuch as the theater of operations is where the world buys much of its oil needs.
It is unfortunate that in those places affected by natural and man-made disasters there are Filipinos, a sector of world labor favored for their ability to speak in English and to be resilient to socio cultural changes, including extreme climactic conditions. The so-called “Bagong Bayani” (new heroes), whose foreign earnings have kept our economy afloat despite the political turmoil and corruption in high places, are crying out for help, if only they could manage to send overseas calls to their loved ones at home.
Meanwhile, we who are back home, can only watch with anguish in our hearts as we bear the turtle-paced government action to rescue those in desperate situations characterized by lack of clean water, food, and transportation to take them out of danger, and bring them back to home sweet home to the open arms of their loved ones.
It is in this context that we count our blessings as much as we are at a safe distance from where life threatening disasters are occurring almost on a daily basis.
From where we are in our comfort zone, we can only pray for deliverance or wish that everyone in our family circle remains in good health and wellness of being. Which brings to mind simple thoughts that you’d wish everyone would consider, given the trying times we are in.
This column takes this opportunity to advocate for the eight rules for healthy living: Nutrition (no fatty, sweet or salty food, please); Exercise (no, not the rigorous gym workout, but simply moving your body physically will suffice); Water (eight glasses of water daily to cleanse our system); Sunshine (the early morning rays to recharge our body the way we do to our cellular phone when in low bat mode); Temperance (slow down on vices such as smoking or drinking, even if you have the money for them); Air (the kind that gives you an exhilarating high like when you are in the forest zone, but one which you can still experience even in the urban jungle if you stay away from polluted areas); Rest (eight hours of sleep a day, better if “early to bed, early to rise”; Trust in God. All in all, the letters spell ‘NEWSTART. Easy to remember, thanks to our friends in the Seventh Day Adventist.
As a consumer advocate and practicing environmentalist, this writer is fortunate to have been given this newspaper space to amplify on thoughts which we strongly feel could make a big difference in attaining health and wellness. It is particularly comforting to see a lot of people making choices for health and the environment in the things they buy. What we need is the critical mass, so to speak, to bring about the kind of meaningful change in lifestyle, starting with oneself as a responsible consumer.
We could extricate ourselves from the mess we have embroiled our environment in due to excessive air and garbage pollution. Do your own little thing at home. Segregate waste, compost and recycle. It doesn’t take much effort to do it. As a consumer, buy only the things that you need, not what you want. Remember that we have only one planet as a common home. As a living organism, Earth is reacting to pollution in its waters, soil and air. As a country, a small dot in the globe, the truth is we are not considered a polluter in the mold of big industrialized countries like the USA, China, Japan, India and Russia. But as a member of a community of nations, we have a duty to do our share in making this world a safe and clean place for the next generation of Filipinos. There is no debate to wishing health and wellness, not only for ourselves but for Planet Earth as well.
(email me at rjrjrajimenez@gmail.com)
