Happy New Year 2024!

As the first Sun of 2024 went back home, I was busy preparing my new diary and journal, packing off the old ones to their crammed space inside the ageing carton. While planning for the days ahead with optimism, a part of my mind also started reminiscing about 2023 that is so near and yet so far. The year had been a mixed bag for me – like every other year had ever been – but overall, it was a year I could recall for more positive reasons than anything else.

 

Looking back, I have quite a few things to be thankful for about the bygone year. My family members - near and far – and friends facing serious health challenges but emerging unscathed, friends struggling with their careers but ending up in better places for all their struggles, some close ones losing their family members to illnesses but showing tremendous dignity and emotional strength in overcoming their pains, accolades at work and occasional personal achievements, growing bonds with some old friends, lessons in letting go the dead horses,  arrival of a beautiful friendship – the year had been one where I had my own fair share of great and not so good things. But sifting through these events and experiences, I could sense one emotion standing tall amidst them all – Love.

 

Whether it is in caring for loved ones that were sick or in sharing the anxiety of friends facing career challenges, whether it was sharing the pain of loved ones suffering losses or being lucky enough to see close friends succeed big, whether it is in strengthening old bonds or in letting go the dysfunctional ones with dignity - the affection, the kindness, and the deep love that I was able to share and feel in 2023 is what makes it special. After all, it is Love that makes anything and everything special, isn’t it?!

 

So, here is my customary wish to you and yours on the first day of this new sojourn around the Sun – may 2024 be one of the best years of your life. By all means, please strive for more and achieve all your goals – personal and professional. Become healthier, wealthier and happier. Attain all your career goals and be happy with your families. But do it all with a deep-seated kindness in your hearts. Smile more at strangers. Treat one another with kindness and respect. Renew your sagging relationships. Share more words of affection with loved ones. Hug and kiss your near and dear ones every chance you get. Tell them how much their presence means to you. You never know whom you end up helping, or even healing. May your kind smiles be the footprints that you leave in the hearts of everyone that you come across this year. Take care. 

 

Happy New Year 2024!

 

AK