A New Year gives us the unique opportunity to start things that are significant in our lives at a new level of appreciation, understanding and celebration. The yearly cycles are there for a reason: to help us live our lives to the very best, because life is the most precious gift we are bestowed with.
As long as there is life, there is hope; every hurdle that circumstances throw at us can be overcome; every gulf that society builds can be bridged, because life originates from God.
Grateful hearts
Year 2017 unfolds unique opportunities to take our personal, family and national life to a new level of breakthrough and prosperity. But, for this to happen, a few things need to be taken care of. We cannot change our past, but we can be grateful and thankful for all the good that 2016 and years gone by ushered into our lives.
There is so much to be thankful for. Our families, friends, colleagues and the communities in which we live and of course our beloved country! They form the different facets and dimensions of our lives. As we keep reminiscing on the good that has come our way, and cultivate an attitude of gratitude, it will register in our memory, permanently.
This sequence will cause the negative images of the past trying to overwhelm our minds, to be loosened and uprooted. One sage put it this way: ‘God, give me the wisdom to change things that could be changed, and accept things that cannot be changed, and to know the difference’.
Value of time
We are only sojourners in this life and it is good for us to remind ourselves that time is the most precious commodity we have at hand.
All that we leave behind is a legacy, precious in the hearts of our loved ones. Central to our lives is our family unit and they deserve the rightful place, at the top of our list of priorities. Sadly, due to pressures of modern day living, families are pushed to the very bottom, when every other thing is given a misplaced elevation on that list. Let us resolve to spend quality time with our families and loved ones; take decisions and do things for their betterment, and see life taking on a completely different meaning and dimension!
Prejudices and biases
Learn to look at things differently, without preconceived prejudices and biases. Prejudices and biases put everything on a back foot. We must teach ourselves to look at things from a different level. For example, when husbands and wives complement each other and work on things together, it brings in a dimension that goes beyond gender equity and equality. It is, celebrating life together as man and woman!
Build on past success
Let us look back and see what has worked out well in 2016 and build on it. There is little wisdom in doing things the same old way, if we are not reaping the desired results.
Let us move away from unproductive efforts and look for better avenues and connect with people, organizations, communities and countries that are willing to take us to the next level of understanding, creativity and empowerment. For example, as a nation, we can move forward towards a cutting edge vocational and educational system, explore alternative sources of energy and look at new sectors of economic growth for the country.
Our capacity to embrace new knowledge and new interventions ought to be developed, since greater levels of success and progress await us in 2017, and beyond. If we want to see true prosperity, we should be prepared to move out of our comfort zones and experiment with new, radical and unfamiliar ideologies.
Year 2017 is an opportune year to build on what has already been done and lay a strong foundation for a new level of personal, family and national prosperity.
For this, let us focus on life, gratitude and value of time, and keep moving towards a new level, not just for us but for the future generation.
(The writer is an HRD practitioner)