The Devil Dances in Empty Pockets

These few weeks, I have been reading closely about the rise of two major global issues. It shakes me up to even think of the consequences of the situation.

First, we have the credit crisis in the US that had domino effect on markets around the world. Inflation rates are also on the rise globally. Although top financial officials claimed that the Asian region is not at risk of another financial crisis similar to the 1997 downturn as the current situation is completely different from 11 years ago, I still have my doubts. The fear of recession had always haunted me since we had our share of unemployment episode for two years, back then. So, lesson learnt. Be prepared for the next round.

Next, we have the world food crisis, which is worse than the world financial crisis as it’s hurting a lot more people around the globe. Over the past few years, the prices of rice, wheat, cooking oil, chillies and other basic foodstuffs have doubled or tripled, with much of the increase taking place just in the past few months. There already have been food riots around the world.

It may be okay to the high income families around the world, regardless any country they are in. As long as they are considered wealthy in their society, the rising price of food is just another daily squabble of the kitchen personnel. It is a different story for families who have to live from hand to mouth. Living on a budget tight enough to choke them may result in higher percentage of poverty and of course, crimes and vice.

After reading about the armed robbery involving about RM3.3 million at the KLIA last week, I was left with awe. How could that have happened? In Malaysia? Twenty or thirty years back, we could hardly read about such dangerous crime in the newspapers!

Then, it struck me. I suppose the rising crime rate everywhere in the world today, including Malaysia, is because of the instability and inadequacy of each individual’s well being. It may be in terms of financially, spiritually, mentally et cetera. The desire to fulfil one’s ‘wants’ exceeds the desire to fulfil just one’s ‘needs’.

Remember when we were in school, we were taught that the cavemen had to have barbaric qualities in order to survive? I think it is happening again. The humankind had gone back to where we came from, the barbarians. After centuries of cultural evolution, our ancestors’ efforts seem to be wasted down the drain. Everywhere we see, there is no more guilt of taking things not ours. No more sincerity in doing things. Not even fear of sin for taking someone else’s life! What a world we are living in! (I guess, due to the excessiveness of jungle clearing, had made the beasts and devils in the jungle to choose each of these beings as their ‘new home’ that had turned them to be selfish human beings or maybe even zombies!....So, stop chopping down the trees!)

I looked at my children and my heart sank. What will be in store for them two or three decades from now? I do not have the answer. Like any other mother, I may be able to just say, “Que sera sera…” but I feel that it is my obligation as the older generation now to preserve and hand down the gift of life God had given me, not only with quantity, but also with quality.

As for the two major global crises, on the macro level, let those with the bird’s eye view do their jobs. All we have to do at the micro level is just to put our best foot forward.