Criticize, praise & drink

By Al S. Mendoza

LATE is never late and so, here are my New Year’s Resolutions.

(1) I will criticize if there’s need to criticize, praise if there’s need to praise.

It’s easy to do both.  But will we criticize for the sake of criticizing? 

The thing is, as much as we can, we must criticize with the end in view of securing a positive result.  Some call it constructive criticism.  I call it positivism.  We think positive when adversity sets in, and this world will become a better place to live in.

If we criticize just to seek fame, the genuineness of intent can be lost in the deed.

Usually, fair play is muddled amid criticism. When passions run high, issues are sometimes drowned, swept away by the terrible tide of anger. 

I know that anger is temporary insanity.  But learning the art of managing anger can produce an amazing change in character and personality.

I have yet to see someone being criticized accepting the criticism positively. Only the callous politician can.

Columnists just can’t help it:  We criticize because it is a sworn duty.

Another way of saying it is, the columnist usually loves to afflict the comfortable and to comfort the afflicted.

So to reiterate, if someone gets criticized here, it’s done because it needs to be done. 

The trick is, let’s not be onion-skinned.  When hit, grin and bear it.  Review your job.  Take stock of yourself.  Talk to that person in the mirror. “”Tell me, am I going astray?”

As to the praising, well, if someone gets praised here, it’s done with utmost care.

I know that praise is the apex of flattery.

When praised, ask yourself: Am I deserving of such praise?

You can only be pure, genuine, when you appreciate yourself as you are because only then will gentleness, humility and gratefulness will start setting in.

(2) I will not drink seven days a week.

Because Dear God rested on the seventh day, so will I beginning this year.

I didn’t really drink seven days a week in 2007.  Not even in 2006, or the other previous years.

I just needed to ram through my throat this blast:  Drinking feels good, but not when it’s done seven days a week.  Having seven hangovers a week can shrink the brain.

Don’t get me wrong.  I’m not an alcoholic.  I’m just a drinker. 

Richard Burton- that lamented actor of note who drank like a fish-when asked why he loved to drink, said:  “Because the bottle doesn’t talk back.”

He was the true love of Elizabeth Taylor, one of the most beautiful, talented actresses of all time.

Will I then drink six days a week this year?

Depends really.  People you are with, events you attend, places you visit- they all are considered.

Like criticizing or praising, drinking must also be handled with care.

So, six days a week might just be fine.  A glass or two of wine per day, a bottle or two of beer maybe, or a shot of whiskey, brandy, vodka or gin, might just do it.  Moderation’s always the key to a better, quality life.

Do it six days a week and you become Godly because God created the world in six days.  Sadly, on the seventh day, China took over-and the world was never the same again.

Ugh!

Happy New Year once more!

(Readers may reach columnist at also147@yahoo.com. For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/general-admission/ For reactions to this column, click “Send MESSAGES, OPINIONS, COMMENTS” on default page.)

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