Wednesday, 30 December 2009

• A New Year with New Possibilities

  
  

  Christmas is officially over now and just three days to go before New Year's Eve, many may be thinking about what habits or lifestyle changes they contemplate making in the coming year.  As we look back and digest everything 2009 brought with it, many of us choose or are mildly persuaded (by others) to think of resolutions  they can make for 2010.  We may start thinking, perhaps with a little grin on our faces initially, about what aspect of our lives we could possibly want to give up or change for the better.   We may want to start working on achieving a short or long-term goal.  We may want to start a new hobby, travel to a place we've never been before, and actuate one of our many dreams.  Some of us may also think about starting a project of some sort that we've shelved for a while.  In my case, last year was a year of changes - some welcomed more than others!  As for projects, I really DO have to start a long overdue one  - my PhD.  I've procrastinated far too long now.  Desire enough won't get me there...I actually have to start it! 
  
  For me, the New Year, in a symbolic sense, brings with it new possibilities.   I metaphorically associate The New Year with a fresh canvas that sits attentively and waits for us in silence to fill it with the vibrant colours of life.  The New Year offers us fresh starts.  It consciously reminds us to do away with the old and welcome the new - whatever that might be.  As 2009 now comes to a close, 2010 provides us with hope.  Despite the fact that many of us do not like and often resist change, the New Year provides us with the inspiration to find the motivation, if not the courage, to change, follow up or initiate something new.  This is perhaps one of the few times in the year when we can truly become the authors of our own fate, if we so desire. And what is more beautiful than knowing that we can do something that will change our lives for the better and perhaps forever.

  Call me an optimist, an idealist, an old fool, or whatever you want, but I believe people have the power to change and do something meaningful for themselves. While external factors beyond our control may come in the way of our dreams and desires many a time, and consequently also serve to demotivate us from following our pursuits, I also believe in the power of the mind.  In other words, I believe in the motivational catchphrase that: "if you can see it, you can achieve it."  Take it from me.... you really can.
  
  I think the key behind actuating any kind of resolution or promise to ourselves lies in the fact that we must truly rely on what we, as individuals, can and have the potential to do on our own.  It's pointless relying on others to do this for you. It's pointless to blame others for not following something through or not living the life you want to live. At the end of the day, we have control over our behavior.  And while support in any shape of form from others undoubtedly helps, over-reliance on others can also lead to disappointment. The crucial point I wish to make is that we need to believe in ourselves. We need to acknowledge that we all have skills, resources and more often than not, unused potential to do something worthwhile. We need, at the very least, to try to follow our dreams - what ever they may be.  The best any one of us can do is to try.  Of course, there's always the possibility that we may not be successful at first.  If this happens, we shouldn't lose heart.  We must never give up hope. Instead, we must continue to strive for: all that we want; all that we want to be and above all, all that we could possibly be.
  
  Have you and your SO discussed your resolutions for 2010?  Have you fulfilled some of the resolutions you made last year?  And based on where you are now in your relationship, would a change do you good? 

  Here is Sheryl Crow's  A Change .

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