A time of Change, atime of new year Resolutions, anew Hope, A New Year. Time to say Goodbye to 2014 and a Hello to 2015. But what?s so new about it we may say. The problems, the worries, the fears, the setbacks of yesteryear will not fade away. Many of us maybe cynical about welcoming New Year with a fresh start.
But in my opinion, New Year is not just the time to replace the old Calendar at your home and work place, but a time to bring about a change in our attitude and the way we accept our shortcomings and get ready to face the new challenges that we may have to face in the coming year.
It?s difficult but not impossible. There are two ways of looking at life – one, to look at people who have more than you do, mumble, grumble and moan about the things you don?t possess. The second outlook is to look at people who don?t even have the basic necessities of life and be thankful to God for all that you have. I don?t believe in getting preachy about this, but my role models in life are all those people who I know are going through the toughest of times, the nits and grits of life, but doing it with a cheerful word and a warm smile that lights up the days of people around them.
Before going on all I would like to say is that at these end moments of 2014 make a difference in not just your lives but a difference in the lives of people around you. Its not too difficult. You can start off by doing a few of these things:
1. Donate, Be Charitable: The presence of Santa brings joy on everyone?s faces especially when he passes around chocolates, gifts and goodies. You don?t need to be disguised as Santa but you can play his role by giving to the less fortunate around you. Children?s old stuffed toys, clothes that they are too old to get into, shoes and sandals that no longer fit but are still good enough to give away, old textbooks, notebooks, stationary that you no longer use, good clothes, blankets….. the list is endless. You don?t have to go hunting for the needy ones they are there waiting for your help. It could be a maid, a neighbour, the workers around your place, anyone at all. Instead of hoarding unused stuff feel santaish… by generously giving what you have in excess.
2. Forgive and Forget: This is almost next to immmmmposssible, but its very important to get over the faults and shortcomings of others. The only person you?ll be hurting the most when you don?t let go of people and incidents that have hurt you is yourself. Life is too short to be fretting and fuming about all the things that have gone wrong. Instead focus on all that has gone right. Take everything with a pinch of salt, if that doesn?t help, take a sack of salt or two and just let go.
3. Make Resolutions that matter: Instead of making resolutions that may nevvvverr work, make resolutions that will make you a better person. If you are very temperamental, promise yourself that before you blow your top, you ?ll count to a 100…not helping, then make it 1000…Promise yourself that you will be a kinder, gentler, nicer Human being in the year to come. How about a makeover from the inside that matters more than the outside. Like the say, be the change that you wish to see in the World.
4. Be your own ?HERO? OR ?SHERO?: Too many times we end up putting ourselves down because of the circumstances and situations that have been negative and painful. We start tending to look at life through dark glasses and seeing all the things that have gone wrong. This year instead of focusing on all that has gone wrong, be that ?Phata poster nikhla Hero? and do something about it. Remember you make your own destiny and there is a God above who will steer you in the right direction if your heart is filled with love, hope, faith and joy.
So Wishing everyone a really really Happy New Year filled with love, prosperity, happiness and joy……….
Rachitha Poornima Cabral
Associate Professor
Department of English
School of Social Work
Roshni Nilaya
Author: Rachitha Poornima Cabral