Start off the new year right

THE most common practice during New Year is the making of resolutions. Ironically, men have been making and breaking them since the early Christians. Many of us struggle to make a New Year resolution. The worst thing is that after we make a New Year resolution, we forget about it or abandon it within a month or two.

It’s no wonder other people regard New Year as no big deal. They make no resolutions as the habit of working out their life - wishing, planning, saying what they need to give up and what they need to begin is a daily habit. Every day for them is a new beginning, every new moon is a time to make wishes and resolutions and every birthday is a personal new year that needs to be honored with reflection, celebration and new things in life.

Personally, when I think about what New Year means to me, especially from a spiritual perspective, I am grateful for this day as a way to experience unity. Poet Charles Lamb put it eloquently when he said "New Year's Day is every man's birthday."

For me, it's a wonderful thought that on December 31, most of the world is putting the old year behind them, and looking forward to a new year, new possibilities, new hope and in the words of another poet - Alfred Lord Tennyson - a chance to "Ring out the false, ring in the true.”

New Year means new beginning, a new journey to life. As it is, it is perfectly alright to make resolutions in the New Year. Its importance can be likened to a good sailor who does not leave the shore without a destination in his mind. If he has a destination in his mind, he will drive the ship in the direction that is toward his destination. In life, we should have a goal or aim. To find out that destination we need to ask some empowering questions like: What do I need to achieve in the coming months or year? Which area of my life needs improvement? Where should I reach in a time span of 6 months, or a year? How can I reach that destination? Your questions will give you the answer to get to that destination.

If we do not have a plan or desire, we are like a man driving in a circle. No resolution, no goal, no change and that means you are in the same place where it was a year ago. To move forward, you need a destination. That destination is your goal, or resolution. Then you walk towards that destination, with one step at a time. Even if it takes more time, you are able to reach another level of achievement in your life. Then you would be able to look back to your past with a smile.

Truth is one day at a time is sufficient. Do not look back and lament over the past, for it is gone; and do not be bothered about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worthy of remembrance.

As we start a new year, look at what we’ve learned from all the previous years. Let’s ask for love and peace and let’s give love and peace out to all around our path. When we live in the quiet of peace and in the warmth of love then we are complete.

To everybody, I wish you love and peace. I hope we all have an amazing year ahead!