When a year come to an end

Ending a year and beginning another is not an abrupt act in the time-space continuum; a day ends, giving birth to a new one, just like any other day. However, a year is a cycle, and the New Year’s Day, is the beginning of that cycle. So it makes sense to celebrate this point in time, to reflect and to hope for a good year ahead. 

I have been reflecting on life a lot recently.  To express the learning curve that I have experienced over the past three decades or so is not an easy task. I may not be able to covert my thoughts to words, but I feel the need to write them down so that I can develop some clarity. 

Life goes in circles- sometimes hyperbolic too..

We expect life to be linear. A newborn child learns to walk, talk, study, get a job, get married, buy a house, and have kids, repeat. We have strict timeline for life. We have timeframes  for when one is supposed to find a job, get married, have kids, buy a house and so on.  We have norms for everything and do not know how to deal with extremes. 

But life’s trajectory may not take a linear path.  For some, it does. For some, it goes in circles; for others, hyperbolic. Not everyone needs to follow the same path. It is okay to deviate from the norm. It is okay to skip stages in life, it is okay to add your own stages as well. Stay tight and just enjoy the ride while you can. 

Stay focused on your own track

No matter how others are running the race called life, stay focused on your course. You may have to stop, slowdown,  withdraw from a race, or miss one altogether, or even sign up for a different race due to various reasons. Others may be sprinting, or jumping hurdles. It doesn’t matter. Keep  the focus on yourself. 

There were times in my life I was stuck, did not know what to do, and anxious because everyone else seemed to be moving fast, ticking their boxes, while I felt directionless and unable to determine the next step. We get anxious mostly because people expect us to do things in a certain way, and this creates tension and pressure. People judge others’ life based on their life and experiences. Only you know what your circumstances and capabilities are. 

Missing a chance is not the end of the world. Stay focused. Don’t get discouraged or overwhelmed. Go at your own pace. What matters is that you are doing your best. Learn to control the controllable. 

Fill your heart with compassion and empathy 

I have been fortunate enough to know compassionate people throughout my life - those guardian angels who helped me steer in the right direction when I felt lost, expecting nothing in return. I have also come across people who have hurt, cheated, taken advantage or were rude. You learn from both set of people.

 From the first set, I have learned to spread goodness in my world in whatever way I can. From the second set, I have learned how not to behave. People change; people evolve. I am not the same person I was yesterday. I have learned and grown. Extend that benefit to others too. Be kind with your words and deeds. Be humble.

Health is wealth 

Steve Jobs was one of the wealthiest men in the world and yet died of pancreatic cancer. His wealth couldn’t buy him even a single extra day. Some health issues cannot be fixed by money. That said, money can sometimes help you access good healthcare. So invest in your health as much as you can. But remember, money alone cannot guarantee well- being. If you are healthy, you are truly one of the wealthiest person in the world. 

On developing an attitude of gratitude

At times, it is not easy to find gratitude in difficult circumstances. Life will bring us worst-case scenarios, no matter how much we prevent them. Know that even the fiercest storms will pass, time heals and this too shall pass. Sometimes the storm will leave permanent damage that cannot be undone, learning to accept and move on will be the only way ahead. Our soul may carry scars from these experiences, but let a stronger, kinder, better version of us emerge to help us move ahead. 

Don’t complicate things 

Life can be as complicated as one makes it, especially when we take everything seriously and put ourselves at the center of everything. Don’t give too much importance to yourself- just go with the flow. Do what makes you happy and try to bring happiness to others around you. Zoom out of life instead of zooming in;  keep an eye on long term instead of just the present. You may be going through a stressful period or a peaceful one- beware that neither is permanent.  

As the saying goes “ Don’t let success go to your head, and don’t let the failure go to your heart”. Everything even out eventually. Everyone’s yardstick of success is different. The definition of success is different at different stages of life too. So do not complicate things 

As we welcome the next cycle in our space–time continuum, let hope guide us every single day. Life is not meant to be perfectly linear—sometimes it moves in circles, sometimes it accelerates in unexpected ways. Stay focused on your own track, and go at your own pace. Fill your heart with compassion and empathy, learning from those who lift you up and from those who challenge you. Remember that health is the truest wealth, and cultivate an attitude of gratitude even in difficult times. Don’t complicate things; zoom out, keep the long-term perspective, and allow yourself to grow from every experience. Above all, be kind, be humble, and cherish the journey