Joy of an Austere Lifestyle

Before my retirement, shopping had been an infrequent pastime for me because of my tight work schedule. Now, despite abundant time at my disposal, I shop even less often. In fact, I shop only when necessary. Not being a wage earner anymore is only a minor reason. What discourages me from shopping lavishly is the realization of the seriousness of the waste disposal problem resulting from unnecessary purchases.

 

The problem first made it felt one morning when a cold breeze set me off sneezing and I opened the wardrobe to get a cardigan. I was struck by the sight of the hanging clothes pressed tightly together as to leave no breathing space at all … well, if clothes could breathe. I had searched for quite some time before finding the cardigan I was looking for. What crossed my mind at that moment was how I could reorganize the garments before the wardrobe fell into pieces. But to sort all those clothes out would be as much an impossible mission as to clear the data stored in my PC and my mobile. I decided to start doing something, somehow, someday.

 

There were actually more clothes than I would need for another ten or more years. Some had been hanging there unnoticed. But my one regret was that I had outgrown quite a few and that would mean a lot to dispose of. To ease the problem, I came up with an idea: while discarding or handing out some of the ill-fitting clothes, I would make good use of those still presentable. And I even embarked on what I considered a very challenging feat, namely, to reduce my size by dieting.

 

Now two months has passed and I can proudly announce that most of the clothes are the right size for me. And I delight particularly in the mix-and-match, adding glamour to what used to be mediocre attire. That is the kind of fun I was deprived of in those days when dressing up before work was done in a rush and when there was a dress code for teachers to abide by. Exploring for ‘new’ discoveries in the wardrobe is no less fun than browsing the showcases of the boutiques.

 

Of course, the greatest satisfaction is my success in weight loss. Cutting down on fat and sugar consumption has led to more desirable blood pressure. My arm injury has also recovered gradually as a result of exercising every day.

 

It’s only now in my retirement life that I have finally learned to appreciate the joy of a healthy and austere lifestyle.

 

Be Intelligent and Caring citizens

With reference to Kerry Kennedy’s article entitled ‘A liberal mind’ in the ‘South China Morning Post’ dated October 30, I would like to express my point of view about the importance of developing genuine citizenship.

 

Genuine citizenship is what students need to be educated on as it is a key factor in the well being of the city. This is particularly true at these particular times when the Occupy Central movement is making a huge impact on the lives of the Hong Kong residents. The protesters may consider themselves striving for a worthy cause, trying to make a difference to the future of Hong Kong. However, as caring citizens, they ought to be aware of their responsibilities and cannot turn a deaf ear to the complaints their courses of action have led to. What they are doing would be worth nothing, however lofty an ideal it may seem, if many are made to pay the high cost of it.

 

As mentioned in Kerry Kennedy’s article, students ought to learn to be ‘literate citizens, not single-issue citizens looking for quick fixes to complex problems’. The protesters need to have a good understanding of the electoral arrangements for the Chief Executive Election as an issue too complex to deal with speedily. It is necessary, too, to evaluate different sources of information related to the issue and to view it from various perspectives. While making their own judgment about the issue, they should also be willing to consider other solutions apart from the one they abide by.

 

We have seen on TV how the protesters’ representatives negotiated with the government officials. We appreciate their confidence and sincerity. But we would also like to see them more enlightened and equipped with better skills to speak convincingly while at the same time showing tolerance of opponent points of view over areas of disagreement. This, as Kerry Kennedy suggests, is what is expected of democratic citizens.

 

Last but not least, students should learn to be law-abiding citizens as a city's well being depends on the citizens' respect for and adherence to law. Anything students do should be within the law. Refusal to comply with the injuncture issued by the court of law is a serious breach of law that should be condemned.

 

In brief, I see genuine citizenship as a requisite for democracy and social involvement. Students ought to be trained to be intelligent and caring citizens if they aspire to contribute to a democratic society.