We are said to be flowing streams of consciousness, or are we? What reality do I really occupy other than the immediate moment, which itself is brief and fleeting? How do I find that elusive peace that all of us so desire? As the new year begins to set its course, we are all allowed to start with a clean slate — to have a new beginning. Our “whiteboard” need not be impregnated with anything that we don’t put there ourselves: pain, jealousy, envy or regret, to name but a few.
These emotions limit our opportunities for self-improvement. The secret, I maintain, is to find yourself in the present and yet cast a determined eye to the future. That being said, the past must be placed in its own context: it is “the past” and cannot be changed — get over its mistakes and plan for the immediate and for the future: your future! I am a true believer in concertizing images of an exciting, positive nature. It is easy to let the wandering mind recreate something negative and promulgate it into a fearful and unnecessary memory.
Recently, as I was edging my car into oncoming traffic at a red light, I held out my hand to slow the approaching vehicles. The light turned green and I proceeded into the flow. In the process, however, I did not pay attention to the cars already moving to my right. The mind just assumed that I was part of one continuous movement. One car had stopped, however, and I nearly hit him.
This image stayed with me for several days, the aftermath, the complications, the time, the cost — all useless thoughts! I must learn to stop negative projections — no ridiculous fear! This can be extended into life itself. I believe that we must not exist in a continual state of anxiety but in a state of love. Thus seeking the positive and dynamic experiences to fill each and every day.
It necessitates beginning with gratitude, I believe. The other day, a young cockroach ran across my desk. I was initially puzzled for there is nothing to eat in my house. Being a bachelor, one of my fetishes is cleanliness. Then it struck me, how lucky I was. In the billions of rocks and bugs and bees and other life forms — both animate and inanimate — I had been given me, not you, but me. This gift from God, Gaia, or the Universe, is a unique gift. This lends itself to the three necessary questions of life: Why am I here? What is my mission? What happens when I leave here when I transcend? The answering of these questions will lead to a meaningful and positive life. So, as our new beginning commences, let us be excited, and anticipate a wonderful and prosperous upcoming year.
The great wit and intellectual C.K. Chesterton (1) leaves us with a thought: The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes. Unless a particular man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective. (Parts of this essay were first published in 2014)
A closing thought: a new year is always exciting because it portends the unimaginable, the as-of-yet-unthought-of. To this extent, much like new life itself, it is deeply anticipated. This pristine creation, unfortunately, is sullied far too fast. We quickly fall into prearranged emotions and actions. The effervescent feeling of New Year’s Day must be kept in our hearts and minds every day. In this way, we will enter into a truly exhilarating, dynamic, and creative new year. (2)
To sum up: This week, we spoke about the upcoming year and its joys and failures. It is always fresh and stimulating but soon “stumbles into” the same old patterns of the previous year. We must break free from these fetters if we wish to truly mature and to grow.
To be noted: Why are some people only kind and thoughtful during the High Holidays and yet true curmudgeons during the rest of the year?
Just for fun:Â
For reflection:
This week on your boisterous walk, please ponder what your New Year will bring: what great adventures or profound resolutions await?
Every day look for something magical and beautiful
Quote: Look for the moments that punctuate your life with joy and grandeur: these act like figurative “slingshots” to shoot you to even greater heights.
Footnotes
1)Â GK Chesterton: One of the Most Influential Christians of All Time | Cody Crouch on TBN