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New Year, New Me?

Contributed by Yumna Al-Adeimi, Canada

Wednesday, 10 January 2007

The beginning of a year is usually a harbinger of new beginnings and commitments. Many of us must have thought about a resolution or two.

For some, flossing more than once a month will be a goal. Some might seek to lose a few pounds while others struggle to quit Shisha. Perhaps your resolution is to be a ruthless businessperson or a humbled surgeon. The more ambitious of us may have set a goal to double incomes, overcome depression, speak the truth, live life to the fullest, or develop stronger spiritual and personal ties.

It’s safe to say our priorities focus on changing a thing or two about our selves in pursuit of happiness and a better quality of life. The common thread in our resolutions is that they revolve around “Me”, which is only natural. But how many of us thought about improving something beyond the individual self – fully knowing that our contribution will not have an immediate or direct effect on our lives? Who has a new year’s resolution for a country, idea, or a stranger’s life?

What was our goal for Taiz, Manchester, Darfur, or the community we call home?

Did we consider changing the life of a single mom, or a lonely senior?

Who has set a goal to contribute to a field just to improve the lives of many; whether that’s in the scientific, political, management or economic realm?

Are any of us planning on representing a belief or championing an idea?

Anyone dared to start a revolution?

The options to contribute beyond our self are many. But do we have the mindset and the steadfast motivation to do so?

Two young men, Marc Kielburger and Craig Kielburger, attempted to alter the focus on “Me” by coining the life philosophy ‘Me to We.’ “At the most basic level, [Me to We] embraces the idea that we can all build a better life-and our ideal world-through reaching out to others. In practice, it involves focusing less on ‘Me’, and more on ‘We’ – our communities, our nation and our world as a whole” [1].

The idea of caring for others is not novel and was preached by many religions and texts. But in our diverse communities it is important to find and work with commonalities in ideas, and “Me to We” is a wonderful starting point.

Adopting a “Me to We” mindset critically challenges our focus, pushes us to find and give the best within ourselves, empowers us to consider others in our decisions, and helps us curb narcissism, which can be a deadly potent to our well-being. Ironically, focusing on others results in the beautification of our self.

So perhaps we should dare to start a revolution from within and commit to challenge our mindsets this year. Maybe then our resolution for 2008 will have ample room for others?

References:
[1] www.metowe.org

Comments (6)

1 Bashar Alawdari
Written by Guest, on 11-01-2007 19:55
happy Eid Yumna

I think " Me to We " will inspire our life to becomes more mercy by remaking our self from the inside, and we must be make new definition of success, happiness and community by look for to Find realy relationship with God . that's relation give us meaning in our life.

2 surprised
Written by Guest, on 11-01-2007 20:42
Surprised why isn't soliciting for women rights one of the listed examples above? Did you mean we to SHE?

My resolution, if you must know, is to fight for men's rights.

3 proudly south african
Written by Guest, on 12-01-2007 09:53
the "me" to "we" would work wonderfully if we had less narcissistic people around! once we are able to get out of our comfy cocoons it would be simpler... as for the comments by "surprised"... what can i say.. its the me, myself and I thing. No "we" in between.

4 poll numbers
Written by Guest, on 15-01-2007 03:56
Looking at the poll. I don't believe we have that many Yemeni liberals. Heck I don't believe 300 people could have visited this site in one day. :-)

5 POLL :|
Written by Guest, on 15-01-2007 04:27
What the heck happened to the poll?

Someone really doesn't have anything to worry about, but voting +300 times!!!!

6 Reader
Written by Guest, on 27-01-2007 11:34
Lovely peace of writing...

Pleasant in technique and substance.