A new year, a new beginning but somehow everything still appears the same. And yet still very different. Change, at times, seems like an illusion. Almost like an oasis in a desert, only it is not that but just a mirage. But then again change is also the only constant in life. Everything changes, whether for better or for worse is something which is debatable. It is all a matter of take. Whether we look towards the ending or anticipate a new beginning, that very perception. The cliched example being of a glass half full or half empty. Or, maybe both?
Do I feel any different this new year? I don’t know. I think nobody does. I’m still the same person, maybe more confused than I was last year and the year before that. Or, maybe more confident than my own self from the past years. Who knows what the truth is? It’s again a matter of perception or belief. But changed, yes I have. And then again I have not as well. It’s quite hard to put a finger on it. I think the scales are skewed a bit, sort of new with a lot of the old. Bag and baggage together makes me what I am today, even on a new beginning. What about you? How do you feel in this New Year? Any different?
Does the New Year make you more hopeful about everything? Does something as important as how you look at building a rapport also get stroked with a magic wand of promise and positivity with a new beginning? Well, it doesn’t really for me. While some changes do take place, there are parts of you that never do, like how you protect your feelings from insensitive people around you. And once you have that all worked out, that change becomes a permanent feature in you. So a change and then not much of a change again.
Once a believer in only the good in people, today you might look for the oddities, the wrongs, just to be a step or two ahead. It happened to me and no amount of optimism for the New Year has been able to change that. You analyze, you weigh, you remain skeptical and then gradually open up if need be. And what better way of doing that than just being prepared for it. Not an ideal situation I agree but that’s a defense mechanism that builds up over the years, sometimes even unknown to you. It stays dormant and then suddenly raises its head like a serpent to guard you. And maybe being cynical about an unknown person or situation is not a bad thing after all. I must admit I’m distrustful and suspicious about the motives of people I don’t know about, being hurt once or twice by close friends will do that to you. It changes you and maybe it’s a good thing. I know for a fact that it helps me protect myself and my emotions. I’m sure you have your own mechanisms as well. Life teaches you that and it keeps changing; evolving rather. And navigating through the delusions of life, I think it’s imperative you have one. But then again is it really a change or just a long lost part of your subconscious reacting to stimulus?
I think you and I are the sum of all the changes and the constants in us. Sometimes the constants are the changes that have taken place over years while the changes are just the constants seen in a different light altogether. But be what it may, the fact is New Year or not certain things remain unaffected by it all.
No, from 12/31 to 1/1 not much is changed. In the same same as the day after your birthday, do you feel any older? For me the change occurs weeks before and bleed into several weeks after–for I work to make the changes within me, that I want to pursue in tthe coming year. The challenge is steeling myself against the forces for which I have no control, which conspire to thwart progress, install roadblocks.
Not much change around generally but yes, there is a change in my thought process, to focus, to step out of comfort zone and I am determined to make a difference. So, in a way, this new year has given me that push to change! Hope it lasts! 😀
This new year is different for me. It's probably the only one that has ever felt "different", and it's because we are so close to the finish line that is building our family. There's a feeling of relief coupled with exhaustion of the past 8 years of struggle. I expect that next year will be back to hum-drum, yep it's a new year, whoop-dee-doo.
Change is slow or sudden but it goes on. We must embrace the concept of change and assimilate it in our lives. All the best for this wonderful year ahead.
All my problems were still waiting for me the morning of Jan 1, but at the same time, it feels different because the start of the problems are all back in 2014, and hopefully the end of the problems will be in 2015.
I used to have such a burst of hope when the new year came. This year was more like a breath of relief and then the acceptance that I survived another day. Yay me. Life keeps rolling along and I keep doing my best to keep up. Happy New Year!
I like the feeling of a "new" year more than anything else – and find that it is rejuvenating to contemplate fresh beginnings, in terms of habits and healthier living. That's what is great. And I believe change is always a good thing! 🙂
Wishing you a fabulous year ahead, Naba!
I think the last year changed me, probably for the better. I'm no more naive about online interactions, have lowered expectations across the board, whether my relationshipa, my blogs or my role as a wife/mother. In everything, I'm aiming for just happiness. Wish you the same, Naba.
I think the last year made me wiser about virtual relationships and taking people at face value. Though I still open out easily, I take longer to trust strangers. Of course, the times we live in are cynical. Hence one has to safeguard one's sanity. I actually don't feel any different in the New Year nor do I have any resolutions. I prefer introspecting from time to time. I guess every experience in life is a learning even the really bad ones, and I hope they better us in some way making us stronger and wiser. Wish you great things and loads of happiness in this New Year, Naba.
I agree – I don't think a new year makes much of a difference in our thought process or the way we tackle things. However, sometimes it IS all in the mind. We love to start afresh most times, and sometimes a new year gives us that chance. Or so I think 🙂
Change is the only unchangeable truth. HNY 🙂
I also feel nothing has changed. But I do wish most things to change for better. Last year actually has left me scared for humanity.
Change is the law of life , it may be slow or sudden but it goes on and must go on . We must embrace the concept of change and assimilate it in our lives. All the best for this wonderful year ahead and hope that valuable posts will entertain us and will enrich our knowledge.
Good post on change that has sparked a lot of comments. As you say, change can happen fast or so slowly we're barely aware of it. It's a good thing and a bad thing, all depending on how you look at it. We must accept that it happens whether we want it or not.
A new year is like a blank slate without any mistakes on it which can be exciting and scary. It's a new chance. We all long for positive changes in our lives and look to the new year with hope that this will be the year. Of course, some things never change so I'm not expecting anything huge. Still, just the start of a new year feels fresh and new and full of promise. Bring it on!
The thing about New Year is we all feel things will change. But things change only when we try to change. I love change and I constantly work towards bringing change in my life. I can't say it's good or bad, but it keeps me busy.
Makes sense…It's a gradual process of conscious and unconscious efforts that work against, as you say, the external forces
Hope it will Shilpa…I think it's the hope of a change more than anything else that makes us try to affect some kind of change
All the best and I'm sure the year will bring in dollops of happiness and wonderful changes ! whoop-dee-doo indeed!
Thanks Inderpreet…wish you the same
now this is such a wonderful way to look at it…loved this line of thinking!
Happy New Year Kathy… I guess for me it was a mix of both…some new hope some old habits & processes of life going on..
Wish you the same Vidya 🙂
For me New Year is special because it brings along holidays and decrease in work load at office 🙂 .. Then of-course most of it remains the same , thought I do have plans every year, some of which I try and accomplish…
Thanks Shailaja..Wish you lots and lots of happiness…I have lots of plans for this year but then I always keep making plans…Most of the things won't change but I do hope I iron out a few creases
I'm skeptical of all relationships now Rachna…I just feel I don't want to let anyone hurt me…Only after a long time do I open up..I'm glad for the ones I let in, few but important none the less 🙂
Wish you and your family a great year ahead and also lots of great meets with me and Indrani !
True Sid… I guess it gives us the impetus or the hope to start afresh..
Happy New Year 🙂
It happens to all of us Rekha…certain things many years back has scarred me on friendships….I hope the coming year turns out to be better
Thanks Yogi…I wish all the best to you for this new year and everything else ahead 🙂
I think the blank slate perspective is so true Cathy…We all do want to start afresh and every new year gives us that…
Thanks 🙂
So true Saru…I guess New Year or not it all boils down to our will power and efforts to bring change..
Happy New Year to you !
change is the only constant. cant escape it. happy new year!
You change, you grow (or regress 🙂 ) over years. For me, a date never has meant anything. It is not like I can go to sleep on 31 Dec as a total dunce and wake up on 1 Jan as a Stephen Hawking 🙂
I'm reminded of a Calvin and Hobbes strip where Calvin ponders on the same thing.. What's so new and happy about the New Year?!!!
Oh well…last year has been a turning point for me. So I can't say I have not changed in the past year. But I guess some years are spectacular while some are the same with nothing unusual happening that particular year! I do hope you have some action happening in this year so that you get to write a post next year claiming that it changed you 😉
A new year is just another way of marking the journey of our lifetime, I suppose 🙂 In India we have so many "new years" – depending on which region one lives in or which tradition one follows. So there are many opportunities to refresh and renew. And I guess that's what really matters. We live and learn as you say, and time (years, weeks, months etc) is only a measure to help us gauge that change process, which can be often very slow and can come with serious inner work – some comforting and some disturbing. Anyway, wish you the very best for all such "new years" to come 🙂
Change is the only constant Naba as you already have described really well. The new year doesn't generally change us though it could. Oftentimes though, it seems to be more subtle and slower. You probably have grown in ways you didn't know before or even thought about. May 2015 be a year of wonderful opportunities and good changes for you! 🙂 <3