Tuesday 1 January 2008

The Threshold of A New Year


2007 is out the door, granting passage for the enactment of a very-much-anticipated new year of 2008. For many, making new years' resolutions are a must-have, regardless of where those so-called resolutions stand after so much as a month into the year. Reaching deep into the pockets of our soul, utilizing every ounce of strength and maximizing the sublime capabilites of our mental gifts, many of us strive to keep these justifiable aims of resolving something which we failed to capitalize on the past year, only to fall short again. Why bother making resolutions, then, one might ask. It is ironic, really, to fully be aware of the fact that the odds are 10 to 1 a minimum of 2 out of 10 resoulutions culminated would actually be achieved in the new year. Needless to say, earthlings are cultural creatures. Each ethnic group has a recognizable tradition or traditions that has been handed down from generation to generation. Now I would not be accurately clear on the traditions associated with the passing of a particular year into the next, but what I DO know is that making new years' resolutions each January are as significant as fireworks on the stroke of midnight.
For one thing, if you actually MAKE a resolution, make it something you can keep. If it is too far from reality, for instance "I would like to own a Ferrari this year" when your miniscule income is only enough to keep a roof on top of your head and prevent grass from being your staple diet, then a resolution as such would only be a dream-o-lution. Don't resoulute to achieve straight A's when the best you've done is straight elephants. Aim small, dictate higher as you go along. Secondly, don't make too many. Focus on the areas in your life you would really like to see different this time around, and concentrate on bringing that into reality. 2 or 3 new year resolutions should be fine, among the more noble or achievable ones would be "to foster a closer family bond & to be more understanding in relationships" or "to grow closer to God and increase my knowledge of His Word", for those who are familiar with the teachings of Christianity. Lastly, don't give up on your resolutions. Plenty of people start strong only to finish poorly as a result of a couple of unforseen outcomes. Failures are bound be hurled in your face, stand strong and keep to those resoulutions to see it through right to the end.
With all that being said, I wouldn't want to be labelled as a grandpa offering words of 'wisdom' on my first post in this blog. I've had blogs previously, but as referred to above, I fell prey to the disease of what the Malay community call "hangat-hangat tahi ayam". That is a Malay proverb associtated with people who start out with gusto but give up over the course of time and leave things unfinished. I simply refrain from making resolutions because I only have enough in me to live my life as it is. Come what may, I might say. Just had an awesome night out with my close friends last night to usher in the new year, and the effects of the night hasn't quite worn off yet. The Curve in Bandar Utama was our choice of destination, and we were all present by 9pm. It was a fantastic night, after dinner we headed to watch the countdown ceremony at the main area, afterwhich we headed to a less crowded spot to hang out and rest. We tried entering some of the pubs in the area, but it was overcrowded and was therefore very unattractive, coupled with the recognizable habit of dirty and unruly Malaysians.
The night was over at 3am, and I came home wishing there was more. I had, after all, a fantastic week in Singapore for Christmas, and it was so far away from reality that I hoped I never had to come back. Oh well, now that THAT's over and done with, Christmas and New Year are has-beens, the beginning of a new semester at college looms in the near horizon. The reality of exams and the stress associated with it comes back to haunt me. RESOLUTION: I will NOT give in. Oh well. Lets see how long that lasts. =)

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