Over a thousand years ago, there was a form of torture and execution practiced in China and Vietnam known as Lingchi.  Lingchi is translated as the slow process, the lingering death, or slow slicing, and was also nicknamed “Death by a Thousand Cuts” (Ahmjad, 2020). 

In this form of execution, a knife was used to methodically remove portions of the body over an extended period, eventually resulting in death. The cuts on their own weren’t fatal, but together, the pain would slowly increase until they made the victim excruciatingly bleed to death. Often Lingchi was reserved for serious crimes.

Why am I talking about such morbid stuff at the beginning of 2024? This year we should put to death many things with small cuts.  Lose weight. Quit drinking alcohol. The same resolutions every year and by February many don’t stick to them.   For 2024, why not shake things up and set simple goals?  Here are some goal ideas for all of us: 

1. Focus on getting healthier: Forget the scales and how much you weigh, feeling better in your body, mind and soul as well as fitting your clothes is more realistic than trying to chase some numbers.  

2. Complement one person a day or give one compliment a day.

3. Read a book a month. Reading is good for your brain, improves your memory and makes you smarter.  

4. Clean your house.  Whether you are single or married, man or woman.  Clutter is bad for your health.  Clutter can stress you out.

5. Turn off your phone one night a week.  When you sleep, that phone is just a distraction and prevents good sleep.   I’ve started with this and it’s great for my mental health.

6.   Volunteer for a good cause.

7. Write down one thing you're grateful for every night. Begin and end the day with gratitude.  

8. Drink more water. 

9. Save or invest some money.  Call a friend instead of texting them.  Face-to-face interaction is still better than emotionless texting.

10.   Clean your car.  

11. Go to the dentist, you’d be surprised at how many people do not visit their dentist.  Your oral health is important.  

Last but not least, stop gossiping: Samoans’ common factor is spreading gossip every day.  Don't be that person. Spread positivity and tell your own story.  Do better this year, make wise decisions and enjoy the rest of your week Samoa.

Enid Westerlund is a regular columnist for this newspaper. She is an aviation specialist, business consultant, author and loves teaching children to read on the weekend.