2006 : Looking Back

Three hundred and sixty five days - gone. Many of us may be disappointed at not having accomplished this or not having completed that, but very few would actually be satisfied with what they have achieved over the past year. Try it yourself. But actually, it just depends on your outlook. If you strive hard to recall what you have achieved (pessimistically), you may find none, but if you simply wade through the past year, you will realise that it was not so bad after all, in fact, it was just as bad as any other year. (I am being as positive as possible). You can still continue to pursue your goals in the next year... its not like a whole chunk of your available time has gone forever. (Okay, it has, but we're trying to be positive here).

Anyway, this year brought with it many oppurtunities of enjoying time, and the usual joy and sorrow, but above all, this year was the most different of all. Look at it this way... today and tomorrow are both like any other day, and don't put a label of 'Last Day of the Year' or anything. The resolutions may be made or broken, it doesn't matter. Just move ahead, and enjoy life as usual... while you still can.

(To understand better what I wanted to say, read 'Looking Ahead' by Golden Glaciers here)

Fraternity

As we grow, we learn to adapt to our surroundings, we learn to behave in ways that others feel appropriate. In fact, a person is completely defined by his environment. The circumstances he/she lives in has complete control over the shape of the future. If I grow up with friends who like a particular genre of music, I will develop a liking for the same kind of music. If I spend time with a person who dislikes music (its hard to see why, but anyway) I will begin to show dislike for the same. You have virtually no control over your life, unless you decide to stay away from your friends, and become more of an introvert.

But no matter what path you take, what attitude you have, how fun-loving you are, and how strong you are in mind and body, it all boils down to this- you are a human being. Great realization dawneth upon us... you may think, but actually, it is hard to see that everyone around you is a human being, just like you. Every person around you has the same feelings of joy, sorrow, embarrassment, the same hunger for care, for a comforting arm, for support, the same crave for music, for entertainment. The person next to you is, in fact, exactly the same as you.

And the moment you realise this, your relationship with that person takes a whole new level.

Unconventional

Most of us try and bring into our lives new ideas and habits through the process of imitation. If something is noteworthy, we get inspired to emulate. The problem with such an approach is that it kills creativity dead. It is also very difficult to introduce originality, because we are so used to seeing the same routine that something new is hard to accept, and may even seem ridiculous at first. Its something like inertia. We tend to refuse to believe the benefits of staying out from the crowd. If you like something, do something similar, but don't blindly copy it. The idea is to take something that you like, and slowly modified to create something that is completely different from what you started with. For example, Dilbert is actually a copy of Peanuts. So go ahead, be different, and carve a niche for yourself.

You will be more happy with what you end up with than anyone else.