Time for positivity, so tackle 2016 with a Temba Bavuma attitude
At the beginning of 2015, in this very column it was mentioned that it would be wise to adopt an attitude where we look back on the previous year to take stock of what has happened.
It was urged that we assess what has not been achieved, what errors we have made and the moments of joy we have experienced, but then at the same time close that gate to rather push forward to embrace a new chapter in our lives.
Now at the start of 2016, a year after stating there is no real difference between the end and beginning of the new and old year, only psychological nuances of change, we must once again adopt such a positive attitude if we wish to maintain our sanity.
It is only with this attitude in times of great negativity and despair that we can build on any successes, no matter how few, while we have to make sure our resolutions are not mere illusions of grandeur but tangible goals.
Yes, the one second passed on when the clock on December 31 struck midnight, so now is the time to take hold of 2016 with great boldness and courage, because we are going to need every ounce of it.
2015 was a very harsh year, and unfortunately the one second that ushered in 2016 thanks to the Roman calendar in the West is sadly not a magical tonic for the blues, and neither does it act like a genie in a bottle who can make our woes vanish along with a pyrotechnic display.
2016 promises to be an ever tougher year, and we can almost hear El Nino giggling in the corner while our beloved farmers are struggling day by day just to survive.
Every year, across the globe, and right here in the Rainbow Nation where citizens are slowly shaking off the rust of the holidays, we tend to make inspiring resolutions bolstered by a joyous resolve.
We promise ourselves to live and eat healthily, drink less, quit smoking, be a better person, love more, get a new job, finish writing that book, see the world and so the list continues.
As the seconds tick by as the year rolls along lazily, many of these resolves gradually fade, yet we remain determined that the following year, when the clock moves past midnight on December 31, all will be better.
Such is the nature of the optimism of man and such optimism will now stand us in good stead when we tackle this new year.
Even though we would like to believe in the one second phenomena of bliss, come 2016 South Africa still faces a myriad of challenges.
The e-toll gantries still glare at us with even stricter regulations looming, service delivery remains shoddy, murder is rife, power outages continue to infuriate residents, and the cost of living spikes weekly.
While many matric pupils will be over the moon with their results, the reality is there is something still amiss with our education system.
And the question that begs to be answered: what future awaits the masses who have passed matric? For the half million or so that have sweated for that certificate, will there indeed be employment for them in this country of turbulent times?
We also head into 2016 with the Rand continuing to be pummeled (it is not all Zuma’s fault, the dollar has a life of its own), which also spells future disaster on the horizon in terms of the cost of living.
Through all these storms or through the drought, we need to somehow hold onto a positive attitude.
After all, with the drought we see the rise of the human spirit as efforts are made to help the needy farmers and to help out towns hit by the water shortages.
Yes, the Rand is very weak, but the positive news is that ultimately SA’s tourism trade will boom as more tourists will visit our country.
According to a survey released by New World Wealth recently, about 11 000 multi-millionaires visited South Africa during the 12-month period to September 2015. This is good news and this trend is set to continue.
We do not know what 2016 will hold, if there will be power or water, and we do not know what will happen to the price of petrol or food, and we do not know if our education system like our economy will stabalise, but the reality is there is a lot of things we cannot do anything about.
It will be our attitude that will determine how we tackle the obstacles of 2016, and how we navigate the valleys.
Temba Bavuma, who became the first black SA test cricketer to score a hundred, should be an example for us all.
When he strode in to bat in the second test against England at Newlands, SA still had a lot of work to do to avoid possible defeat.
Yet he stood his ground with a die-hard mentality, and through his positive stroke play revived SA’s hopes for the rest of the series.
We must also go into 2016 with the same attitude as Bavuma – take the bouncer when it comes, play the weak ball well and leave alone what is regarded as a rubbish delivery.
May 2016 be a prosperous new year, no matter what, because at the end of the day the world will indeed keep on turning, and yes, life does go on.
