To sail across the oceans

Most people start every new year with resolutions. A new hope. A new aim. A new target.

Then, every year too, most people celebrate their birthdays with cakes and gifts, a time when others try to show some sense of appreciation (or buttering up!).

So, how long does one expect to live? 60? 70? 80? or scaling up to 100? How long do you want to live?

At 10, one is at the beginning of life - learning to explore a little while fun and enjoyment is the main element. A game of teng-teng and batu seremban, ice lollies on sunny days.

At 20, one is stepping into adulthood - getting the freedom and slowly getting the feel of real life. Life can be a mess during this time, with paths to choose from and decisions to make. Still, it's a time when love is more than luscious and dreams are delirious.

At 30, one is more sure of the steps made. With a little experience in life: work and social, the 30's are usually more focussed in their aims. Yes, I know where I'm going and I know what I'm doing.

At 40, one is very confident in life. "I have lived for so long..." "I know what's going to happen!", "I have met so many people like you". So the saying, life begins at 40... It is when one is at the peak of his or her life.

At 50, one is much more stable and confident financially, mentally and physically. Life is often enjoyed at this age, like a boat sailing away towards the sunset.

I am therefore going to stop at 50. The stability and confidence that one achieves at the age of 50 is one I would like to address. If it takes a human being 50 years to be sailing away, then what about a country? What would a country have achieved in 50 years' independence? A country is not human, yet can it be compared to one?