In many countries around the world it is a very popular tradition to not only make a review for the old year on the 31st December but also to make New Year’s resolutions. So you don’t only reflect about what has happened and what you have done but also make plans for the coming year, create a vision of what you would like to happen and what you want to achieve.
Of course I also was asked this question on New Year’s Eve: ‘What is your resolution for 2012?’ and I answered ‘It should simply be a happy year full of love’. For me, it is really as simple as that. But I had some thoughts about these two traditions that I wanted to write a bit about.
In general I believe it is a good idea to have a look back on the past year – or a certain period of your life – and see what happened. What did you do and in which way has it affected your life? What did you learn? Look at the good things that happened and be happy about them. But don’t neglect those events that made you angry or sad. They are important because they are part of your experience, too.
I also think that it is not a bad idea to have a small glimpse into the future – to set yourself a goal or make a plan. You cannot know what will come but from your experience in the past you may know some things that you would like to do in a different way. There may be some habit that you want to leave or change and there could be something that you want to achieve. I am sure that a resolution can be very positive, if it is carried out with a strong will.
Whatever it is however that you are looking back on or that you are looking forward to, remember that you are living now. Don’t get lost in the past or in the future. It is positive to see what you have done in the last year but don’t get stuck with it. Don’t keep on praising yourself for the things you have done well and don’t feel guilty forever for those that you have done wrong. Let sadness and anger pass and see that also these experiences were good for you.
Don’t lose yourself in the future is something that may be easier said than done because many people often dream for a big part of their time only about what might happen in future. While they are doing something, they envision themselves as someone or something else. They dream themselves away from reality. Make sure that your New Year’s resolution encourages your actions in the present for a bright future.
Act with the knowledge of what happened in the past and with an idea of what you want to achieve but be in presence, be here and now.
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Very well said! I am often surprised, that people only do a recap on the occasion of New Year’s Eve. They take the symbolic value of this date in order to change something in their lives. Why wait until the next New Year’s Eve? If you are unhappy with something or feel that you would like to change something – just do it! No matter if it’s Dec. 31, March 28 or August 5.
Excellent…..true. Let it be said that we do not exist in the past or future. There is no tome like the present and the present needs to be cherished.
For common people it is easier said than done
Any day of the year is a good one to make a resolution!