LET 2012 BRING HOPE

As this is my first post in 2012, I would like start by wishing everyone who is kind enough to read what I write, a very happy and prosperous year - and thank you for taking the time to read my writings.

I am writing this on January 7th so a week of the year has already gone by.  However, January 7th is a very auspicious day here in Cambodia.  It is a national holiday known as "Liberation Day".  It is the day that commemorates January 7th 1979 when the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime under Pol Pot was finally crushed and the country was liberated.    On that day, Cambodia was able to start anew and proceed along a path to stability and economic growth.

It is only just over thirty years - a very small amount of time in the history of any country - since those frightful years of the Khmer Rouge rule and yet Cambodia has moved forward and become one of the most stable countries in the region with strong economic growth.  The advances the country has made in those years has astounded many people and powerful countries around the world.  This is due to a strong leadership which many western nations from time to time have classed as "ultra-autocratic".  Be that as it may, such remarks are often made simply because the country never does something just because pressure is imposed by the more powerful nations.  As a result, Cambodia can stand tall among the nations of the world.

In spite of all of the above, Cambodia was not exempt from disasters that hit so many countries world wide during 2011.  Most noticeably was the flooding that occurred where many hundreds of hectares of land were flooded when both the Mekong and Tonle Sap Rivers rose to record heights.  This caused immense damage to rice crops and some 500 people lost their lives.  But the quick response by the Government and local authorities minimized the damage.

Now we have moved on to 2012 - a new year and what should be a new beginning, not just here in Cambodia, but everywhere around the world.  The beginning of a new year and indeed even the beginning of a new day, brings hope to people - hope that things improve and only good is seen.  For this to happen, we have to sit back a moment and take stock of everything, not just of ourselves and our attitudes and way of thinking, but also that of others whose "doings" affect our lives.

I believe it was in the first blog I wrote in 2011 I quoted a Buddhist monk who was a good friend of mine and with whom I would consult and talk whenever I had problems.  I quoted what he said were three tenets necessary for a happy life: 1) Be at peace with yourself and like yourself for who you are, 2) Understand the next person, and 3) Stop and listen to the Divine Being.   Those were indeed wise words and I have always tried to follow those three things as closely as I can.  The first and last of those three things I find the easiest.  Possibly because I have been extremely lucky in the life that has been given to me and I have a wonderful partner of many years who is always there to help, listen, support and encourage me whenever necessary.   The second tenet is sometimes difficult for me, and yet it is so important as it can help diffuse so many misunderstandings and even feuds.

I have great difficulty in understanding the reasoning of those dictators in the world who kill, mame, imprison and torture their own people.  Unfortunately we have heard of so many during 2011.

I have great difficulty in understanding the reasoning behind so many so-called church leaders today whose focus is just on money rather than the pastoral care and understanding of the individuals who attend the churches, not just to pray but also for comfort, spiritual uplift and also social connections.

I have great difficulty in understanding the reasoning of politicians who are more than happy to spend tens of millions of dollars and in one case over one billion dollars on an election campaign, while paying little or no attention to the millions of people in their country who have difficulty finding enough money to buy food for their families.

I have great difficulty in understanding the reasoning of bankers and business men who have salaries in the millions and still expect to be paid bonuses which are also in the millions with no regard for those around them who are struggling just to find any job to support their families.  How many private jets does one need?

As I have mulled over all these things, I can only think that there is just one set of common denominators that link all the different categories mentioned above - selfishness, greed and power-hungry.

The year 2012 has begun.  I said in the beginning that a new year brings hope to people and it is hope that keeps people going.  Without it there is no future.  My hope is that at some time in the near future - in 2012 - people will come to their senses, step away from the selfishness and greed and the grabbing of power so the world can be a better place and people can live in freedom and be able to put food on their table.

I listened to one of the many analysts on CNN TV who always analyse what other analysts have already analysed and he said time is running out to correct things.  Not so.  The former Bishop of Cuba - the late Right Reverend Jose Gonzalez and his wife were staying with me when I was a Vicar in Oakland, New Jersey.  During dinner one night I mentioned I had so much to get done I didn't know how I could manage it all in time.  The Bishop just looked at me and said "Father - you have all the time there is. You can do it!"  I have never forgotten those words because they are so true.

Everyone can make a difference to the way things are  and even if it seems it is late - then remember we "have all the time there is".  Too many people are hungry, too many people are without jobs, too many people face discrimination.  Too many people are power-hungry, too many people are greedy and too many people are selfish.  We can change that.

So once more I wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous 2012.