I am currently grappling with three different topics that interest me. One the literary theory of Saussure, Lacan, Barthes and others. I am doggedly reading the translations of the works of these writers even though I need multiple readings to make sense of them. Finally, I am getting a glimmer of what they are talking about and am getting immensely interested in what they have to say. I am also attempting to apply their theories to literary works!  A challenging and interesting task. Very intellectual!

I am also reading a wonderful novel by a Japanese writer in English called Kazuo Ishiguro called The Remains of the day.  The writer has wonderfully captured the essence of what “buttlership” (if you forgive my coining of this word) implies.  A copy of the novel is available online (in docstoc or is it scribd?–I am not sure). Truly relaxing!

I am also working out the nuances of contract law and bombarding myself with  topics like “invitation to treat”, “postal delay in contract law” and so on and so forth till I am getting a little cross eyed with the effort. Absolutely legal! Keeps my mind live and kicking.

Of course, I cannot complain that my life is drab and dull and lacks variety.  Will perhaps translate the results of all my efforts into little articles that may be of interest to you all?

Why do I do all this?  I like being an intellectual.  In fact I revel in it.  What comes out of it?  A lot of writing practice and of course a number of new creative ideas for books that I plan to write sometime in the future (only the future seems very dimly distant at the moment).   Some of the work may also find a way into literature journals and law journals and law journals.

So, let this new year begin with a resolution to review and reward ourselves for resolutions that were nurtured and followed up. There is no substitute for self help.

Having said that, let us look at a few resolutions that we can make this year and follow up to our advantage.

1. The recession and threat of job loss has made people wise(at least I hope so). It is clear that those who are willing to learn, enhance skills and grow are the ones that will survive downturns. The first resolution of the new year, therefore, is a commitment to learning and personal development.

2. The recession also taught us that those who are well connected and have networked had an advantage over the frog in the well types. It follows that the next resolution must be to reconnect with and nurture your contact network.

3. Financial suffering and physical deterioration were commonplace during the recession.  Many people were made aware that they had lost their health and fitness in their obsession with their careers.  So, let us resolve to make health and fitness a top priority this year.

4. The year behind us saw us carrying the burdens of our fears and focusing on the negatives of life.  Let us look at the positives of life this year and work towards acquiring an equanimity that is unshaken in calamity.

5. Disorganization was perhaps the major cause of distress in the year gone by. Let us organize our lives and bring order to our thoughts in the days that are yet to come.

6. Somewhere between the church and home we have forgotten to count our blessings.  Let us be thankful for all that we have and the fact that we have our hopes intact.

7. Of course, we see the world from the windows of our mind and we are conditioned by our experiences, but let us try to understand our impulses and recognize the talent of others impartially. Let us appreciate the qualities of those around us.

8. Finally, let us write down these goals and monitor them faithfully so as to be able to render up accounts to ourselves in our year end review.