Hand it over

By The Scribe

As the New Year looms ahead, I was thinking of a few things we could do (or in some cases, not do) in 2007, that just seem to make sense. Nothing too profound or high flown…just simple, day to day things that can make a world of difference in our approach to life in the New Year! So, please do bear with me as my thoughts for the coming year unfold.

Don't look back and reflect – look forward and act
Countless have been the times we've been told by some 'wise' person or another, to look back at our lives over the year gone by and reflect on its numerous happenings. But, I think, don't look back.

Don't reflect. Really what good has ever come out of looking back? Dwelling on regrets gone by is just such a futile exercise (trust me, I've been there), that I've found it so much more productive and less time consuming to transfer all that "clinging on to the past" energy onto making more substantial and beneficial improvements to my lifestyle.

Particularly since the whole "reflect" drill is technically meant for us to eventually move forward, my thinking is, don't look back (literally or metaphorically) at all. I mean, we all know what went wrong and what didn't go wrong in our lives throughout the past year. So, just try not to repeat your mistakes (hopefully having learnt how not to, by now) and instead, try to repeat what went RIGHT for you.

Trash the whole 'list' of new year resolutions – just start by making one productive change for the better
We start each year with this long list (or in some cases not so long) of 'New Year Resolutions?. Most, however, don't even last beyond the first day of course but nevertheless, we all feel quite content with life that we established this sort of code of ethics for the year ahead (as superficial as it is, more often than not).

I see no sense in this whole practice, mostly since it never really gets off the ground! From crash course weight reduction programmes, to limiting your use of profane language, to trying to spend more time at home with your parents…a month or two down the line, you find it hard to even recollect your resolve. So, just take things one step at a time. First, prioritise your resolutions.

Once you've decided which of them is the most important to you, see it through to the end. On successful completion or implementation of it, move on to the next on your list and so on and so forth.

This I've come to realise, is a far more sensible and workable means of getting the job done!

See the glass half full
I know we're all fed up of hearing the same old hackneyed phrase "THINK POSITIVE"! But, if you really think about it, it's probably the most basic and simple thing to do, because it fundamentally changes how you look at and approach everything in your life! So, just for the sake of a new angle, condition your mind to NOT see the worst in everybody and every situation…plainly just try not to think negative.

That's basically it, actually. Be it about your career, your current circumstance, love, life or the status of the country– try to focus on the silver lining, the bigger picture, rather than what's in your face! Appreciating the little things in life might aid the process actually. That way at least, you'd be able to detract from the larger than life issues of everyday life.

Reach for the stars… you might at least fall on a coconut tree
Never be afraid to dream. At best they can come true and at worst it can remain a dream, so either way you don't lose. Dreams are the best way to live the life you've always wanted to but never got the opportunity or courage to. No matter how far-fetched or idealistic it might seem at first, without dreams, life is just plain boring and without adventure.
If you don't set high standards or goals, you have nowhere to start from. Imagine if Martin Luther King had been afraid to dream? I'm serious. What would the world have turned out like? Never fear the dream…if at all, fear your reaction to the dream being fulfilled!

Carpe Diem
Do/say whatever it is that you've always wanted to do/say. Try not to save all the good things you have to say about someone for their eulogy. I've come to realise (even though this is going to sound like a cliché) that life is just too short to miss out on the opportunities we get.

Most often life doesn't give us second chances, so, we either have to seize the ones we get or live to regret the chances lost and the people and things we've taken for granted. We should simply embrace life with all the zest we can muster. Life is a one-way journey after all, we may as well make the most of the ride!