Increasingly, as a community, we’re becoming our own worst enemy. We are quick to judge each other and jump to conclusions, often based on myths and rumours. We talk about religion without understanding it. We are keen to fight for the religion and even die for it, anything but live for it or live by the precepts of Asho Zarathushtra. We live in challenging times and we can ill afford so much internal bickering and infighting.

The end of any year is an opportune time for quiet reflection and making resolutions. Nine is believed to be the number of perfection and therefore I would propose the following nine resolutions for a more Peaceful, Progressive and Prosperous New Year – 2019.

 

Let us, as a community SOLEMNLY AFFIRMED and RESOLVE that we shall:

1)  Endeavour to build and work on our strengths and not focus on weaknesses, for it is only our strengths that will give us the energy to correct our weaknesses.

2)  Attempt to depend less on our charity institutions and re-discover the joy and satisfaction of achieving things on our own steam. What comes to us by way of charity or inheritance or deemed entitlement often follows the age old trend of ‘easy come, easy go’. Let us know the value of what we have by earning it.

3)  Remain open to social and economic changes, but not at the cost of our values, ethos, culture or identity. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “you must open the windows of your mind, but you must not be swept off your feet by the breeze.”

4)  Strive to be more tolerant. Let us accept the fact that the very best amongst us hold either traditional or liberal views on matters of religion. If a fellow Parsi/Irani Zoroastrian is either a traditional or liberal by conviction or on account of his/her upbringing, let us respect that individual’s right to his/her opinion.

5)  Learn to respond to all issues, social economic or religious with proper evaluation and a calm mind, instead of reacting impulsively and without adequate authentication and thinking.

6)  Attempt to build on individual excellence at a community level instead of building groups and organizations for personal aggrandizement.

7)  Attempt to stimulate our youth, rather than browbeat them, and encourage them to employ their abilities, talents and experiences at an optimum level.

8)  Harness our energy in fighting unitedly for the cause, and not against each other.

9)          Remain positive and resolute, no matter what the circumstances and situations we may be surrounded with. Remember that you finally come to believe anything you tell yourself often enough – even if it is not true.