New Year, New Hope. Happy New Year 2012!
The year 2011 is closing its curtain and in a matter of hours a new year is coming. Whether you celebrate this moment in whatever style, the change is certainly felt. If any of us adopts this attitude of ‘what the big deal, its year in, year out thing, nothing special’, then just consider these few points.
The coming of new year marks a lapse of one complete year in our life. One year passed, means one year closer to death…because this is the most obvious thing but frequently forgotten. Imagine a candle, burning slowly by time, as another moment passed, the candle got shorter, the same to our life, our own life ‘candle’ is getting shorter by one year as the year turns. The ‘time’ is not known, but is certain, all we can do is prepare – for the next life, – and what best thing we want to leave to our loved one, to this world when we die.
You will be one year older, and hopefully one year (at least) wiser, more mature. So, is the new year going to see the same ME…the one that exists last year, or a NEW ME? That depends, if the old ME is good enough, it may be reasonable to maintain the same ME, preferrably make it even better…
Time to look back, what you have achieved in this one year? Did you meet your targets? Or did you have targets? Some people don’t, they just go by the flow, or live on someone else’s life (really!), or even living on someone else’s agenda – no we should not. You own your life, and in the end you will be answerable – therefore, you must have control.
A believer is encouraged to reflect on his life, and plan:
“O you who believe, fear Allah, and let every soul lok to what it has put forth for tomorrow, and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is aware of what you do.” (Q: 59: 18)
For those already made up their own resolution, well done. May God help you to achieve it. Let’s remember, when you make intention to change for example, do not expect it’s going to happen tomorrow. But at the same time, don’t let the passing of time cause your good plan to dwindle and in the end forgotten completely. In my case, some of my ‘new year resolution’ was only achieved the following year! You may consider that I have failed, but I am still thankful for this success, and there are only all the wisdom from this delay, I think.
If you have not made up your mind, there are a few things that may be good to consider. One particular area is health – make a resolution to improve your health eg. You want to lose at least 5kg this year, as a mark of being more fit, and healthier. Another is how to be more efficient – you want to wake up early everyday (aim the time), or to be more proactive with ‘Do it Now’ principle, to avoid procrastination. Some may think of finance – how to save RM this year so it will help you achieve your big plan like going for the pilgrimage etc. Or some, simply want something more ‘spiritual’ like want to be closer to God, by adhering to the daily congregational prayers.
You will notice, whatever goal you want to achieve, it must be accompanied by a plan. Your goal is the WHAT, you are yet to state the HOW. So, a new year resolution that is not accompanied by a concrete plan of how to achieve it, is bound to fail. Intention is not good enough, there need to be the action!
Nevertheless, one most crucial question to answer is, for what are we making this new resolve? This draws the question as to who we are, what really do we want in this life. Without having this clear, then life remains an ambiguity. Let us not forget the reason why we are here on earth…a very basic question indeed. No matter how much we achieve in this life, if we fail to serve the purpose of our existence, we are still a failure.
Let be someone who make use of this opportunity for change, change for the better. May the new year bring us blessings and continuous guidance from God, let us continue to make a difference to this world, and live to inspire others to live.
