Stepping out of our ego

Christmas is an opportunity to reflect on our values and the direction our society is taking.

A Christmas Carol is a classic literature masterpiece. Penned by Charles Dickens, this novel narrates the story of Ebenezer Scrooge. Ebenezer is a cold-hearted person who values money more than anything else. His craving for money made him lose his joy of life. His greed for more money turned him not only into an anti-social person but made him a miser, leading a miserable egocentric life.

Nowadays, the term ‘scrooge’ is associated with cold-heartedness and with stinginess. In view of the fact that the visit of the three ghosts took place on Christmas Eve, this novel takes a more profound significance during the Christmas festivities.

Through this novel, Dickens wants to convey a message to his contemporaries. It is a message about greed, cold-heartedness and the need to step out of the shadow of our egos. Is this message still relevant to today’s society?

If we desire to live in a humane and just society, then we need to answer this question. On the other hand, if we opt to live in a society guided by greediness, then this question is, shall I say, humbug. We live in a materialistic society. Craving to possess material things is strong, innate and encouraged. Material things are vital for our survival and well-being. Money is imperative. Without it we cannot maintain a good quality of life. Material possession is a human right.

The desire to progress forward, being successful and build on our success is recommendable. We have a responsibility to contribute to the advancement of our society. Politics is one of the mediums to attain a good quality of life and secure a prosperous future. Our political and welfare system is made to ensure that no one is left behind. Progressive governments have always sought to improve our standard of living.

So what’s the problem, one may ask.

The problem arises when all this is not well balanced, and placed within a framework of established values of fairness, honesty, social justice, common good and ethical standards. When the desire for having more becomes stronger to the detriment and exclusion of people, then one should start wondering.

When people are not valued for their intrinsic value but for what they hold, possess and produce or for the connections they might have, it becomes worrying.

The end result is that, instead of loving one’s brethren and using objects, one ends up loving the objects of desire and using one’s brethren. In this way, everyone ends up with a price tag and as a commodity to be used and abused.

When the ‘I’ overcomes the ‘we’, then greed, corruption, cronyism and cold-heartedness have their say. Greed is the root of all evil, is the Biblical advice. Greed is the antithesis of the common good. Unfortunately, greed endorses politics of the few over the interests of many. While politics is all about advancement of the common good, the politics of greed is about the glorification of the ‘I’. Sadly, during this year we had ample examples of politics of greed. The proposed Paceville master plan is a classic example of greed while the recent death of the Somali man due to cold (in Malta!) is an example of institutionalised cold-heartedness. As much as Scrooge shut out people, greed turns us into over-ambitious, indifferent and cynical people. For Scrooge and his clones, money is the only definitive value worth caring and working for.

Although money is essential and takes one to high places, money has its own limitations. Money can provide earthly comforts but cannot secure internal happiness.

With money one can buy a big house but cannot have a home. With money one can buy sex but not love. With money one can grab power but not respect. Although we tend to focus on Scrooge’s greed, we fail to notice Scrooge’s redemption. This is a story about hope. Thanks to the visit of the three ghosts, Ebenezer becomes a new born person. The experience changed his outlook on life and his value system.

Christmas is the perfect opportunity to bring a change in ourselves and around us. It is an opportunity to reflect on our values and the direction our society is taking. It is a time where we ought to ask what type of society we want and are working for.

I, among others, have embarked on this political journey to be the change I want to see. I firmly hold that as the star of Christmas guided the shepherds to Bethlehem, so too politicians and other community leaders have a responsibility to guide and shine.

Beyond the gloss, Christmas is based on a story of a baby who grew up to speak about the values of peace, generosity, human dignity, solidarity and the joy of giving and sharing.

May we find time this Christmas, not only to open the presents we receive, but also to find the opportunity to step out of the shadow of our egos and open our hearts to our fellow brethren. If we do so, then our society will be a far better place to live in.

(This article was published on Times of Malta – 17 December, 2016)