Life is a Continuous Trade-off

As we are now into another year, it is natural for us to contemplate, hope and work for a better future. The past is well over, mistakes made but hopefully learned. Who does not make mistakes, and also want to correct them; but only few succeed! Others pay the price for their follies and have to plod on. We are overwhelmed by our emotions and led by them; only few contemplate the consequences of their actions. In the end we have to live with our decisions. At any one time, we are inundated with so many choices, some that can change the course of our lives forever. However smart we are, we need a little bit of luck; a chance meeting with a like-minded person can lead us to great success.

Most are limited by circumstances to make life-changing choices; due to family commitments, finance, health etc. Still, they are an ongoing process, but having a focus and making use of the limited options can still lead us to better fortunes. Once we have a positive attitude, we have come half the way. There are good everywhere, and perceiving them and imbibing for our own good lead us to the right path. What we learn when young changes over time, but the basic values should stand the test of time.

Not only in personal lives, but countries also have to evaluate the options continuously. The fortunes of countries also ebb and flow and any failure to seize the chances can prove costly in terms of their place among the comity of nations. The success achieved in seizing the chances and stay relevant impact their fortune and thereby their people. Most are now into free trade, globalization and the old ways of working are found wanting. China, with its top-down, no-nonsense race to get ahead at all costs, without any democratic and bureaucratic delays, is forging ahead, leaving others lost and floundering in their paths. They have made their choice and relishing the success. In a subtle way, they have made a successful formula to keep ahead, adapting the communist system just to preserve one party hegemony, but are in some ways more capitalistic than the pioneers! A fruitful trade off indeed in terms of economic results!

The other countries, including the world's leading economic power America, are trying to make their system adapt, but against increasing odds. There are extreme scenarios painted, with them losing their clout faster than the world can stomach. An inward looking America will make for a very different world indeed! But the choices can be forced on them, if they find the present ways untenable. Others will have to rework their priorities not only to stay relevant but also alive even!

The trade offs made by countries definitely impact the common man everywhere. None wants to relapse into a lower standard of living en masse. But he does not have much of a choice, as he has to work within the system. The basic essentials have to be met and also few others to have a meaningful life. It is always in the back of the minds of everyone, to make sense of the adaptations needed to stay where we are; it is a daily struggle and worry for most!

As we are entering the New Year with hope, let us pray that the choices we make bear fruits for a sustainable life. We are all in it together wherever we are; the natural resources have to be shared equitably and not to be used for selfish reasons. Beggaring the neighbors will boomerang on the perpetrators. As world takes the next stage forward, it is clear that it is an oyster. No political system is greater than the welfare and safety of the people. Democracy has no meaning if the system does not work; when few exploit the system to their sole benefit, leaving the common man to his own fate. There is no empowerment by just voting. Edmund Burke's words come to mind: All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing. As we usher in the New Year, let us all hope and pray that the good and capable men & women will step forward to take the bull by the horns to set right the faults. Let us make the right choices to make our future secure and fruitful to benefit those at the bottom in societies. The trade-offs we need to make are clear enough! Let us create our own luck, our own future and destiny!