By Pr. Kungsong Wanbe
The days are running fast and we are now standing on the cusp of welcoming another new year. I am sure that this New Year 2013 will bring with it a sense of hope and new life. Most of us take this time to look at ourselves and make commitments or resolutions for what we consider a better life. It is important that we do this and tell ourselves that we try to get rid of the old negative ways and adopt positive new ones. Let us pledge to be careful of how we live. Let us stay firm that we will not live like fools, but like those who are wise. Let us make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Let us not act thoughtlessly, but understand what good things we ought to do for ourselves and for other people. Let us try to acquire the ability to discern and judge what is true, right or lasting. As the world becomes selfish and corrupt, we have to shun the wrong and do what is right. True wisdom lies in knowing the true God. So the good religion is the good way to know and do what is true. If we are to live wisely this year 2013, the first thing we must do is to realize that there is truth and that the ultimate truth is the will of God. Therefore, we need to identify and realize the ungodly things we have committed in the past year. Let us try to live like those who are wise and do good things. Not only we are to live wisely but also make the best use of every opportunity because life is very short and we have few opportunities. So to achieve good things for the nation, country, state,community and ourselves, we need to try our best to build good spiritual character to contribute to the welfare of other people.
To be a good person, we have to have the following: (i) Upward growth, (ii) Sideways growth, (iii) Downward growth and (iv) Inner growth. Let us see briefly one by one-
1. Upward growth: That we need to set our heart on things above- heaven. We also need to set our minds on things above not on earthly things.
2. Sideways growth: That we need to love our neighbours who are around us because we cannot live alone all the time in our life. We need family, friends, relatives to share and receive our love and affection. As a tree/plant keeps growing by its sideway growth, so also we become mature when we grow older every year.
3. Downward growth: This is the best of all growth. Our upward growth and sideways growth depend on our downward growth as when the roots of trees/plants go deep down, the plants become strong and able to grow for a longer period.
4. Inner growth: Outer physical growth is also important but the inner growth is the most important because inner growth in us decides our future and life. This inner growth comprises of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. This inner growth represents our character development.
Let us put away all the bad thinking, negative attitudes and evil practices. Let us try our best to shun the wrong things we have committed in the past year to become good citizens of Kangleipak (Manipur). Let us not think only for ourselves but let us think to do good things for everybody beginning from the 1st January of 2013. May God bless all the Kangleichas (Manipuris).
