Tuesday, January 1, 2013

New Year Check List

Well, like every other year that I am destined to be a part of, 2012 also drew to a close.

Come New Years Day and every one is talking about New Year Resolutions...ranging from simple things like being punctual to slightly tougher ones like losing weight and really complex ones like career shifts...

Of course there is one category that does not believe in them or rather simply do not have any.

I should mention about the self-declared enlightened souls for whom New Years Day is just another day in the calendar and God knows why there is such a lot of hoo-haa all over the globe!

The media is abuzz with umpteen Top Ten lists of 2012. Top Ten movies (Best and Worst), Top ten events, etc etc....

I was thinking of what to put in a New Years post and I thought of an exercise we could all do...
  1. Take a piece of paper and chalk out a list of things that you did in 2012 that you feel genuinely good about. 
  2. It could be an achievement, a new learning , a kind act, anything.
  3. Take some time to go through the list.
  4. Then make a list of things you want to do in 2013.
  5. On the last day of every month , take that list out and check if you have actually done something in the direction you wanted.
New Experiences: One need not go on an expedition to Mt Everest to get what we call 'experience'. Its relative to what each person has been doing. A simple act like tasting a new fruit for the first time is an experience in its own right. What is imperative is being conscious of every new experience and having the attitude to relish and appreciate it.

A helping hand, a listening ear: The happiness, a selfless act done for someone else brings, is immaculate. Even when a mountain of worry is taunting you, if you help someone, the smile of gratitude would make you a thousand times lighter. There are million ways in which we can make a difference in the world we live in. Donate to an orphanage, join an NGO for volunteering, spread some literacy around or simply visit the nearest hospital once in a while and donate blood. Even if all this is impossible , one of the easiest things to do is provide some kindness and warmth. A simple 'Good Morning' to the old man in the wheelchair whom you see everyday on your way to work would be a noble act.

Some 'Me' time: A lot has been written about the rat race of today's materialistic world that everyone is entangled in. Often one forgets to spare some time to do the things we love to do, that gives us a great amount of peace and happiness. It could be painting for some and poetry to others. Indulge in this 'Me Time' activity regularly. Life would be more stress free.

A little Learning: Knowing new things not only empowers us but instills a whole lot of confidence.The greatest and eternal teacher is life itself.  Often a small amount of retrospection can teach us so many new things. Something I have often heard quoted is 'No learning goes a waste'. If there is some desire you hold to learn something - say to play the guitar or may be Karate(could not think of anything else at the moment) , GO FOR IT.

Thats just a few I could think of.

Before I sign off on this post, just a final line ( Now that I have gotten into a super-preach-mode Somebody stop me!! :) )

We cannot possibly change the circumstances around us but how we react to any situation is entirely in OUR CONTROL.

Wishing you all 

Excellent Health,
Prosperity,
A whole lot of fun
And Never Ending Happiness
In 2013.

Happy New Year


49 comments:

  1. That is a good resolution preaching post :D Happy new year! Loved this one!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very thoughtful words to start a New Year, Jaishree:)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Very well written post, Jaish! you are bang on about new experiences and some 'Me' time.

    A very happy new year to you too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hope you get a lot of 'Me' Time, Meenakshi. Happy New Year :)

      Delete
  4. Happy New Year to you and family!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Pattu and wish you the same too...Talking about things to learn, I plan to take up some gardening this year if time permits and would be knocking on your posts for advice :)

      Delete
  5. Happy new year Jaish. Wonderful post. You have gotten me thinking as well.

    Every new year we get to the retrospective mood, mulling over what we have done so far in the past year and try to start off afresh in the coming year. I hope that I move another inch closer towards achieving my true destiny/purpose of life.

    - Meera Subramoni

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nyc suggestion fr start a new year... Fr me also it is just change date.. Bt as a social person v have to wish people.... Anyway wish u same.. God bless u keep writing..;):|

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Jaish, I'm definitely one of those odd folks who thinks its just another day, but I guess you should celebrate life, and therefore the 31st or 1st is as good a day as any!!
    I love your idea of reminiscing of good things done in the year past and having a plan to do something great for the year ahead!! Here's to completing at least some of our goals!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. A good way to put down the things to do, Jaish. If we don't keep reminding to ourselves often, the year will pass by real quick and the decisions will remain like that..A very happy, healthy and prosperous new year to you too, Jaish.

    ReplyDelete
  9. WEll written!
    Pause, reflect, learn and move on! We can't control situations that happen to us whilst we can control our approach to the situation!
    Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  10. A very well written post :)

    Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Me. Guess I missed a lot of posts of yours....Will try to catch up ASAP!

      Delete
  11. Wonderful..thoughtful..heart warming:)
    A very happy new year to you Jaish!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Jaish,

    Happy New Year to you :)

    This list looks completely achievable and within the range for many people.
    So, what are you planning to learn this year, Jaish? :)

    Keep posting :)

    Regards

    Jay
    My Blog | My FB Page

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hmmm....I want to do some gardening, learn swimming if possible, some music :)

      Delete
  13. Nice post, Wish u and ur family a very Happy and Prosperous new year...
    [www.photoblog.ajeethboaz.com]

    ReplyDelete
  14. All the best with the list :) and happy happy new year to you Jaish and family and everyone around you ...


    Bikram's

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Bikram, Hope you and your family have a wonderful 2013 too :)

      Delete
  15. I loved the idea... and it is great way to remind oneself of the happiness in little things. :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. When I was a young boy, a New Year day always stood for the time I could start afresh. However, as years passed, I've realised that nothing much changes. However, it was a good time to remember the previous year and hope and pray for the best in the new year.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Very happy and prosperous new year to you and your family Jaishree !! Thanks for the response mail

    ReplyDelete
  18. An inspiring piece, Jaish. A very happy new year to you and your family!

    ReplyDelete
  19. You are a girl after my heart, Jaish. Looking for joy in little things, celebrating little blessings and finding contentment therein. Many wishes for a happy year ahead for you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I fully endorse your suggestions--good post.

    ReplyDelete
  21. happy new year Jaish ! and all the best with your list !

    ReplyDelete
  22. A very Happy new year to you and your family, Preacher :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Nice post Jaya. The check-list is something that all genius suggest. I once tried it too..but somehow could not complete :)

    Happy New year to you and your loved ones!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Jayashree

    Happy New Year to you and family.

    I am not a New Year Resolution person but I like those thoughts:
    - List down Lessons Learnt
    - Learn a new Skill
    - Have time for introspection / listening

    I can use them.

    And you are among the Top-5 supporters of my blog in 2012 - along with Umashankar Pandey. THANK YOU!

    Cheers!

    J

    ReplyDelete
  25. A very optimistic and feel-good post Jaish :) This is similar to the lines of the New Year Jar. Where you have a jar and then you put a note into it everytime you do something good or something good happens with you. Then on the last day of the year you read all those notes, its so much fun. Wish you and your family a safe and peaceful 2013 Jaish!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Great suggestions! Totally loved your last line.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Some wonderful and very do-able pointers!! A very happy new year to you too :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. that's a nice list! have a great year ahead!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Inspiring!! Am going to do this. Thanks for this write up!

    ReplyDelete