Bye 2024 ... Reflections and Resolutions

 Bye-bye 2024 and welcome 2025 ... almost everyone is in this mode.

As we bid farewell to 2024 and embrace the new year, it is a natural moment to pause, take a step back, and reflect on the past twelve months. This period of reflection allows us to appreciate the blessings that helped us survive through hardships and become more grateful. It opens a bag full of emotions—nostalgia for the memories we've made, gratitude for the lessons learned, and anticipation for the possibilities that lie ahead.

While reflecting, we often begin to form resolutions and promises to be better and do better. Everyone reflects in their own way. For me, reflection is like a good old friend who shows me my flaws, even if I don’t love to face them. It always gives the best advice.

This year, a mix of nostalgia took me down memory lane. Most memories were happy, but the loss of my father early in the year was particularly tough to cope with. We all know that death is the ultimate truth, but losing loved ones always leaves an irreplaceable vacuum. "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, but it also leaves a memory no one can steal." This saying captures the pain and sadness of losing a loved one while reminding us that the memories and love we shared with them can never be taken away. Though he is gone, his memory continues to guide and inspire me, filling my life with his blessings.

These moments have reminded me that even in the darkest times, there is always something to be thankful for. The love and support of friends and family have been a great comfort. I am also grateful for the challenges that pushed me out of my comfort zone. Such moments also show us how transient life is and reminds us to value it more.

While reflecting on the past, we also consider the goals we set and achieved, the relationships we nurtured, and the experiences that shaped us. We see the mistakes we made and the opportunities we missed. Occasionally, we must also confront our weaknesses, which requires honesty with ourselves.

As we reflect, we simultaneously plan our resolutions, showing our desire to become better versions of ourselves. Resolutions are like a good diet plan: we start with the best intentions but often abandon them for convenience.

How can we stick to our resolutions?

The answer is to keep it simple—set achievable goals and be willing to put in the effort required to achieve them. Celebrating small victories with family and friends can make it easier to stick to our resolutions.

While reflecting and making resolutions, don’t forget to be kind to yourself. Ask yourself, when was the last time you smiled at yourself in the mirror? When was the last time you laughed at your silly habits and allowed others to laugh with you? When was the last time you hugged your loved ones so tightly that they couldn't help but smile? These simple actions can bring more happiness into your life.

Laugh often because life is too short to be serious. Whether you are a rebel, a rockstar, a homemaker, or a professional, the key is to find what works for you. Be a little more fun-loving and try to be the example of the energy you want to see around you. Embrace life’s simple joys and carry the wisdom of the past year with the “NEW YOU” into the future. Here's to a year of growth, happiness, and new adventures!

Love, hope, faith, gratitude, purpose—dance to the tune of this music.

Happy New Year 2025! May it be filled with joy, laughter, and endless possibilities.