New Year’s resolutions have somehow become notorious for being broken before January is even over. Yet we go through the motions year after year as if the very ritual itself had the magical power to change us into better individuals. The problem isn’t the concept of resolutions; it’s how we pick them: too ambitious, too vague, or too driven by momentary fancies. If we want to make resolutions that last, we need to focus on making meaningful, realistic changes rather than chasing trendy, empty goals.

For a start, let’s stop declaring war on our bodies every January. All that “new year, new me” rhetoric tends to translate into punishing diets, punishing workouts, or punitive self-talk about why we aren’t already skinny, fit, or flawless. We forget that our bodies carried us through whatever chaos the past year has brought—aching knees, stretch marks, pandemic pounds, and all. So how about resolving this time around to treat our bodies like allies instead of vowing to shrink ourselves? Drink more water, sleep like it’s a luxury, and maybe stretch once in a while—not because Instagram told you so, but because you deserve to feel good.

Another resolution worth making is learning how to say no—a skill that feels as rare as May rain. We’ve been conditioned to equate busyness with value, piling our plates so high with obligations that they topple over, leaving us frazzled and resentful. This year, I commit to protecting my time like a toddler who is jealous of any toy. It’s not selfish to put yourself first—it’s survival. And honestly, some favors and invites deserve a hard pass.

And speaking of saying no, it’s high time we drop toxic relationships—be it the friend who only calls when they need something or the coworker who thrives on gossip. Life is too short to be constantly giving backstage passes to people who don’t even applaud when you win. This isn’t about burning bridges; it’s about deciding to invest in relationships that feel like a ray of sunshine on a rainy day and not like a root canal.

A particularly underrated resolution is to fix our relationship with time. I, for one, have wasted countless hours scrolling through social media like a raccoon pawing through trash, only to wonder later where my day went. This year, I’m determined to put my hours where they matter: reading books that challenge me, having unhurried conversations, and maybe even watching a sunset without whipping out my phone. Time is money—you don’t get a refund for how you spend it, so you better use it wisely.

Let us also resolve to embrace failure, which is a necessary part of success, even if it doesn’t have good PR. We all want to hit the ground running come January, but what happens when you trip? This year, I’m giving myself permission to stumble and learn. Growth is messy—often requiring a face-plant or two before it starts looking like progress. The key is to keep going, no matter how awkward.

And here’s a wild thought: What if we resolved to be kinder to strangers and, gasp, even ourselves? A little extra patience with the barista, a smile for the security guard, or a “thank you” that doesn’t feel like it’s stuck in our throats could ripple farther than we think. Kindness isn’t some grand gesture; it’s a habit that makes life softer for everyone. Just think of how much lighter the world would be if we all tried a little bit harder.

The best resolutions are not about revolutionizing your life overnight but about planting seeds that grow steadily over time. Not about becoming someone else, but becoming more of what you are, minus the extra baggage. So, let’s skip the guilt-laden lists and aim for small, intentional steps instead. Maybe this year, we can finally keep our promises—not just to the calendar but to ourselves.

WITH the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, celebrated this year on December 28, we are once again reminded of the crucial role the family plays in our life. The Holy Family is the standard and model of every human family. A family that strays from that standard has no other way but to fail in its sacred mission of forming man as a social being into a family member of God’s family.

We can never exaggerate the importance of the family in our life. And we should be most thankful to God that, at least, in our country, we can still observe a strong sense of the family that, sad to say, seems to be disappearing in other parts of the world.

We should not be complacent, however, with what we are enjoying at the moment with regard to family life in general. There are many challenges to face nowadays in this department, and we should just tackle them and continue to learn lessons and improve the quality of our family life.

Let us entrust this concern to the Holy Family of Nazareth who will surely guide us and keep us properly grounded and rooted as we flow with the dizzying developments of our times that have serious implications insofar as family life is concerned.

First of all, we have to understand that the family environment can only be a reflection of the love between the parents. That love between husband and wife, father and mother, should always grow and develop, getting more and more purified as time goes on and as more challenges appear.

With that strong love, the proper attention and affection to their own children, especially the young ones, would be effectively nurtured. The parents should realize that the quality of their love for themselves and for their children increases in proportion to their self-surrender, their self-denial, their willingness to make sacrifices.

Given the today’s condition, we should be wary of the challenges the family faces. We cannot deny that right now the family in general is beset with all sorts of problems and difficulties. Even looking at the local scene, we can already see many dysfunctional and broken families.

The problem is aggravated by many of today’s developments that, while giving us a lot of advantages and conveniences, are also undermining the very foundations and pillars of the family. The pace and complexity of life today has taken a toll on family life and stability.
In many instances, husbands and wives do not live together because one or the other has to look for work abroad. Young couples tie the knot without a clear idea of what a lifetime commitment means and requires. They often base their love on very perishable and expirable foundations, and not on God’s love. In fact, many do not know that human love has to be rooted on divine love.

Again, with the new developments around especially in the field of technology, more division within the family, rather than greater unity, is observed. The gaps are not anymore generational, cultural or social. They are becoming more personal and individualistic.

With family life given a boost during this Christmas holidays, let’s take the time to see what we can do to reinforce family life. Let’s not waste the opportunity by spending it solely on having fun. It’s a time for discerning, anticipating, planning things for the family.

May it be that in every level of our life, this concern for the family is taken up seriously. For the Church, for example, there should be abiding diocesan and parochial efforts to help the family in some concrete way, an effort translated into continuing prayers, sacrifices and timely reminders.

In the ever-evolving world of business, profitability is the ultimate measure of success. While many companies strive for growth and market share, a select few consistently deliver exceptional financial returns, year after year. These companies are the industry leaders, setting the benchmark for profitability and demonstrating the power of strategic planning, innovation, and strong execution.

1. Saudi Aramco: The Oil Giant with Unwavering Profitability

Saudi Aramco, the Saudi Arabian oil giant, reigns supreme as the world’s most profitable company. With vast oil reserves and a strategic location in the Middle East, Aramco has consistently generated massive profits, exceeding $247 billion in 2023.

– Key to Success: Aramco’s profitability stems from its control over a significant portion of the global oil supply, coupled with its commitment to operational efficiency and cost optimization. The company has also invested heavily in technology, leveraging big data and artificial intelligence to enhance decision-making and improve profitability.

– Future Outlook: Aramco’s future prospects remain strong, driven by the continued demand for oil and gas, despite the growing global focus on renewable energy. The company is actively exploring new opportunities in renewable energy and carbon capture technologies, demonstrating its commitment to adapting to the changing energy landscape.
2. Apple: The Tech Titan with a Loyal Following

Apple, the tech giant known for its innovative products and sleek designs, consistently ranks among the world’s most profitable companies. The company’s loyal customer base and premium pricing strategy have fueled its impressive financial performance.

– Key to Success: Apple’s success is attributed to its ability to create products that resonate with consumers, fostering brand loyalty and driving demand. The company’s focus on innovation, design, and user experience has allowed it to command premium pricing, generating substantial profits.

– Future Outlook: Apple’s future prospects are promising, driven by its continued innovation in areas such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and wearables. The company’s growing services business, including Apple Music, Apple TV+, and iCloud, also provides a steady stream of revenue.

3. Berkshire Hathaway: The Investment Powerhouse Led by Warren Buffett

Berkshire Hathaway, the conglomerate led by legendary investor Warren Buffett, is a testament to the power of long-term investing and value creation. The company’s diverse portfolio of businesses, including insurance, energy, and manufacturing, generates significant profits.

– Key to Success: Berkshire Hathaway’s success is rooted in Buffett’s investment philosophy, which emphasizes value investing, long-term growth, and a focus on quality businesses. The company’s investment portfolio includes significant stakes in companies like Apple and Coca-Cola, which have contributed significantly to its profitability.

– Future Outlook: Berkshire Hathaway’s future prospects are bright, driven by its continued focus on value investing and its ability to identify and acquire high-quality businesses. The company’s large cash reserves provide it with ample resources to invest in new opportunities and continue its growth trajectory.

4. Microsoft: The Software Giant Embracing AI

Microsoft, the software giant known for its Windows operating system and Office productivity suite, has been a consistent performer in the tech industry. The company’s recent focus on cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) has propelled its profitability to new heights.

– Key to Success: Microsoft’s success is attributed to its ability to adapt and evolve, embracing new technologies and expanding into new markets. The company’s Azure cloud platform has become a major revenue driver, while its investments in AI, including its partnership with OpenAI, are poised to drive future growth.

– Future Outlook: Microsoft’s future prospects are strong, fueled by its continued dominance in the software and cloud computing markets. The company’s AI strategy, coupled with its focus on innovation and customer-centricity, positions it well for continued success in the years to come.

5. Alphabet: The Digital Advertising Powerhouse

Alphabet, the parent company of Google, is a dominant force in the digital advertising industry. The company’s search engine, YouTube, and other digital services generate massive revenue, driving its impressive profitability.

– Key to Success: Alphabet’s success is driven by its ability to leverage data and technology to deliver targeted advertising to a vast audience. The company’s search engine and other digital services provide valuable insights into consumer behavior, allowing it to deliver highly effective advertising campaigns.

– Future Outlook: Alphabet’s future prospects are promising, driven by the continued growth of digital advertising and the company’s expansion into new areas such as cloud computing and artificial intelligence. The company’s commitment to innovation and its strong market position ensures its continued success in the digital age.
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If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on the column, feel free to send an email to jca.bblueprint@gmail.com. Looking forward to connecting with you!

In a story appearing at the British Broadcasting Corporation website as written by Sofia Ferreira Santos & Konul Khalilova, it talked about Dozens Surviving Kazakhstan Air Plane Crash. This is something interesting for someone who hates flying and fears crashing down on a plane. As a disciple of sorts and teacher of Physics this is something a big news as it would be certain death when a plane crashes and you are a passenger.

But this one proved that it is quite the opposite, Plane Crash are giving a passenger higher chance of surviving.

Surviving a passenger plane crash is more likely than many people think. According to the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), more than 95% of passengers survive accidents, including 55% in the most serious incidents. The survival rate is even higher for less severe crashes.

Factors that influence survival include the severity of the crash, the presence of fire, and the effectiveness of rescue operations. For instance, crashes on land generally have higher survival rates compared to those in the ocean due to quicker rescue response times.

It is even easier to survive a hijacking incident as data shows : While hijackings are often associated with high-profile and tragic events like the 9/11 attacks, many hijackings have ended without fatalities. For instance, during the “Golden Age of Hijacking” from 1968 to 1972, there were over 305 incidents globally, but most ended without fatalities.

The recent Kazakhstan Air Line incident shows, it is possible to escape, a bit rattled, injured but alive.

A quick check on the news around the Kazakhstan Air Line crashes shows that the Fuselage Integrity (Durable Plane Body) and the quick response of the ground emergency saved the lives of dozens passengers.

For a self-confessed person with Flying Phobia, this is quite a relief . This is a note -to- self-moment. We can survive a plane crash, easier than we thought! If only we can convince ourselves that it is so and tame our fears as we go and take-off.

We do not know who and where the idea of collecting round fruits for luck in every new year emanated. The practice of collecting such round fruits, in some places thirteen kinds while in other places of a different number, is widespread across the socio-economic strata. Rich and poor are afflicted with the belief that good fortune is bound to come to those who are able to collect for display those round fruits. Practically, it is really tough finding round fruits in all its strictest sense since most fruits are either oblong, oval or in some cases pointed and elongated far from round. But those in the practice had the tolerance of seeing fruits to be round even if they are actually not. In the haste of completing the number of kinds, people take even the not round fruits as acceptably round.

If there is good luck in the practice, it is chiefly to the fruit vendors who take the opportune time to increase their sales volume as well as their profit margin due to the high demand. In some cases, the buyers who are duped into the belief are forced to take fruits that are not only not round but are not mature and not ripe and are not for human consumption as well. Such fruits are truly for display in the passing of year and never for consumption by the person who bought such fruits. These unripe and immature fruits are later to be found in the waste bin or compost pit, for luck that this writer would never be able to understand how.

Good manners is always towards not wasting food as the fruits are, they being graces from God. It is mind boggling how people who could hardly eat or afford a good meal for the family can spend so much on an unfounded belief, buying overpriced round fruits that are not even for consumption but for mere display as the gods of superstitions tell through mongering out of nowhere. There is nothing wrong just taking the belief as passed on by word of mouth those who are into the practice would justify. But spending so much on overpriced fruits that are not really round as mandated at the expense of significant things like basic food for the family is just so grave a wrong by any measure.

Those who had been at it had surely remained wishing for that same good luck that every new year brings. Doing the ritual every year is an indication that the good luck of the past years never came true as the round fruits collected in those years were believed to have brought about. Only the opportunist sellers of overpriced fruits that look like or as if round are getting the goodness of that promise, by raking in a good fortune from the sales of such fruits every start of the year.

If anything, such belief departs from our belief in God who grants us all the graces and blessings we need. We do not know how accurate the belief is or if the same had really some goodness brought for the new year. Nothing had ever been recorded as resulting from such belief of collecting round fruits every new year. We had just been following what some consider as tradition, one whose beginnings we are unsure of. A belief whose foundations are as unfounded as its founders are except that money brings prosperity to those who sell round fruits to people who had somehow been captive in the belief of roundedness.
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