When You Just Can’t Wait for a Fresh Start.
I’m feeling the general consensus, from many friends and a few acquaintances, that 2009 was terrible. That they’re ready for it to be over. That whatever 2010 has in store, it’ll sure as hell be better than what 2009 had planned.
And yet, in the process of wishing for time to pass quickly, ’tis the season of reflection and resolution: How we’re going to spend more time volunteering, cooking, spending quality time with family and friends, etc. … and less time focused on 140-character status updates and waiting in lines (because, really, you can buy just about everything online these days — even your fresh produce). How we’re going to change our eating habits and exercise routines … that we’ll only somewhat follow. How we’re going to be a truly better person … when we find the time between working over– I mean, full time, keeping an active social and familial life and keeping up with our Netflix and Kindle queues.
The fact the turn of the new year is the only expected time for introspection and starting anew may be a problem in itself worth resolving this year.
When it’s not all concentrated into one day, or weekend vacation, you can outline more meaningful goals, promises to yourself, and perhaps to others, you won’t take lightheartedly and be so tempted to break. And wouldn’t it allow for you to be more in tune with yourself so that you’re constantly, and not only once a year, aware of where you stand — with you, with your circle of friends and colleagues … with the world?
But I digress. It’s officially 2010, and you can’t ignore the top, or worst, X (fill in something of cultural meaning here) of the decade lists, family Christmas letters that are still trickling into your mailboxes (or inboxes, maybe?) and Facebook and Twitter statuses detailing a disgust of 2009, an eagerness for 2010, a witty (or not so much) list of resolutions, or any combination thereof.
Reflection is awesome. Goals are necessary. If it’s now or never, just do it. Don’t get me wrong there. But perhaps you can shine a new light on your reflection this year. Simply bitching about what sucked — and vowing to avoid similar, or worse, situations — isn’t going to get you too far.
Instead, try considering:
What was truly amazing? What experiences made you feel happiest? For those things that were more negative, what can you learn from them? How can you turn the downs into enlightening experiences? How can you keep your radiance, your passion for life and for living it, gleaming, even through the difficult stuff?
Challenge yourself to delve deeper — and all year round. You’ll find the possibilities for change, for resolution, for renewal are endless.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Krejci via Creative Commons