Tread softly, it's a splendid world

The ultimate purpose of education is to make useful citizens. Children study different subjects at school, sometimes unwillingly. As young adults, they specialise in certain subjects to obtain employment and lead successful lives.

Acquisition of knowledge is a lifelong process. Some of us do not seem to think so as they completely abandon their studies after graduation or employment. Pursuit of knowledge does not mean attending classes or reading for a postgraduate course. Anybody can broaden his horizon of knowledge by regularly reading newspapers, magazines and books.

A good reader annotates the books he reads. He also collects newspaper clippings and usually puts them into different files. Some readers maintain a cuttings file. Whatever method you follow, the books, magazines and newspaper clippings should be read many times over at regular intervals. The ideal time to read them is when one year ends giving way to a New Year.

No doubt, many writers turn out essays, poems, short stories and novels out of an urge to do so. Apart from hack writers, many authors are not so interested in making money out of writing. A daily newspaper columnist may not have the time or inclination to turn out readable prose. Apart from such columns, serious writers impart what they know with finesse. When you read their writings, you are automatically elevated to a higher plane.

Apart from newspapers, books and magazines, you may come across gems of wisdom in strange places. For instance, a private medical practitioner down south prominently displays a poem written by Ronald Russell:

A child that lives with ridicule

learns to be timid.

A child that lives with criticism

Max Ehrmann

learns to condemn

A child that lives with distrust

learns to be deceitful

A child that lives with antagonism

learns to be hostile

A child that lives with affection

learns to love

A child that lives with encouragement

learns confidence

A child that lives with truth

learns justice

A child that lives with praise

learns to appreciate

A child that lives with sharing

learns to be considerate

A child that lives with knowledge

learns wisdom

A child that lives with patience

learns to be tolerant

A child that lives with happiness

will find love and beauty

Both Ronald Russell and the doctor who displayed the poem at his dispensary deserve praise.

During our short stay on this planet we are inundated with many issues. For instance, what do we do with stray dogs? Some people want to have them killed. Others who are compassionate insist that stray dogs should be sterilised. While debating on this issue, we should not forget to vaccinate our household dogs for rabies. A wise old man once said that barking dogs seldom bite unless provoked.

What should you do if you saw a stray dog right in front of you? According to one rule of thumb, never run away from a stray dog. This prompts it to chase you! You should not fear that dogs with skin problems and hairless patches are rabid. It may be just a skin disease. What you should remember is that even stray dogs have a right to live in this world.

If you really care to turn a new leaf in 2011, follow the much-hyped Japanese '5 S' path to development. The first 'S' is 'Seiri' meaning 'Sort'. Remove all unwanted items from your desk, room or house. An uncluttered table will help you to work efficiently.

The second 'S' is for 'Systematisation'. When you are systematic, you can locate files and other items easily and quickly.

The third 'S' is for 'Sweep'. Keep your workplace neat and tidy. The fourth 'S' stands for 'Standardisation'. When you follow the first three rules, standardisation will follow naturally. The fifth 'S' is for 'Self discipline'. By following the '5 S' rules, you will find even tedious tasks easy to perform. There is a big demand for organised people.

Finally, what should you do with noisy, envious and vicious people around you? Follow Max Ehrmann's advice:

"Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant. They, too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit... With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.