Thursday, January 03, 2013

New Year's Wishes & List....




New Year's Wishes & List....

The holiday activities are winding down. 2013 is up and running and back we all go to our regular routines. But, as most people do at the start of the year, I am busy contemplating on resolutions and new year's wishes. For myself, family and friends, and for readers of The Shoplifter who I have never met and befriended.

A lot has been said about being brave. Or about being braver, everytime a new year unfolds. For some reason, it scares me. Maybe it is in being reminded that I have to face my own fears sooner or later. Sooner, if I am to heed the advice of such New Year's greetings.

I have had my usual share of fears through the years. Perhaps even more than the average person. But being in a new country, leaving everything behind and starting from scratch has made a couple of new “fears” surface. I can only hope that I will be up to the task of fighting these demons when the need arises.

A lot has been said about being happy. Or about understanding the true meaning of happiness, everytime a new year unfolds. Does this mean that we have been living a false kind of happiness for the past year? I guess we can never truly realise the sense of happiness we have in our life. As I have read somewhere, if we want to have a happy life, start with a happy day. One day at a time.

A lot has been said about resolutions. Or about things we need to change in our lives, everytime a new year unfolds. I have stopped making resolutions years ago. It just creates disappointment.

It also adds to the “fears”. Of not being able to make the necessary changes in our life.

It also makes us question our sense of happiness. Specially when we equate happiness with achievements.

This year, I will instead make a list.

Making a list of things to do - grand things to accomplish and everyday chores – help me go through each day. It helps me face the fears. It makes me happy, one day at a time.

If I finish with an item on the list. I tick it off. If I don't, it stays there waiting to be done someday. No pressure, no stress, no fears.

It makes room for happiness, one day at a time.

My New Year's wish for myself and for everyone is that we get to tick off those items on our list, face our fears on our own terms, and live happy, day by day.