Another Dec 31st.
There was a time when this held a different meaning. – a promise of fresh beginnings as one was ready to wrap all bad things into a bundle and throw them out. Somehow old hurts and enmities were supposed to get erased and one made impossible resolutions in the hope of becoming a better person.
There was also a sudden awakening to things unfinished and regret about at a another year wasted. And Jan 1 would take care of it all. As the clock hit 12 at midnight, somehow you hoped you would become a princesses - a kind of reverse –Cinderella phenomenon. In the new year everything was going to be happier as you turned nicer, more diligent, more disciplined.
Growing up comes at a price. Your childhood illusions gradually disappear along with the puppy fat and milky teeth. You have to give up the warm comfort of blissful ignorance and naive belief and the new year becomes just another day .
You become aware of the inescapable continuity of past, present and future. As you turn another page in your life's ledger, the past transactions do not miraculously disappear. The balance in your account is a reminder of these past deeds. The year gains another digit but the world does not automatically change to suit your liking. The tap in my garden will continue to leak and the pain in my knee will not disappear.
People ask me about my new year resolutions. I smile. When you reach fifty you do not wait for a year to end to renew resolutions and review promises – it has to be oftener, even daily sometimes. Every day is a new beginning - to be lived with urgency, with an appreciation of the time available, to be and to do.
2009 waits like the diary on my table holding 365 unwritten pages of my life, full of hope and promise. When I have reached the last page of 2009, I hope it will be something I will be proud to go back to with a sense of satisfaction. And I wish the same for all of you.
Here’s to a satisfying and peaceful 2009 to you all. Work to make your dreams come true. May there be plenty of opportunities to seize and be happy.
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Hey, Brat
15 hours ago
32 comments:
Hi Usha,
I have been a lurker for some time and like many others, feel a bonding with u thru ur writings-for eg turning 35 made me view myself with some renewed self respect, just this morn I thought that time teaches u that new year resolutions are almost absurd, u shall find me here more often!
Happy new year, Usha!
Usha:
Here's wishing that your 2009 diary IS filled with hope and promise, that you proudly look back with a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.
S
Resolution no 1 for usha
Say "My daughter in law" sweetest 3 times a day for good health!!!
Happy New year Usha; may you continue to be blessed with sense of humor which makes me laugh ( and think) when I visit your page i.e. almost every day.May good health and wealth, joy, love and happiness fill your life in 2009 and many years beyond.
first time leaving comments
shy
appy new year Usha :).
lol @ Akila.
As usual, this post is so very beautifully articulated...
"You become aware of the inescapable continuity of past, present and future."
How true...Yet we hope that things will be better in the New Year! I think it is just a time for us to stop, think and make changes :)
Wish you a very Happy New Year!
its a beautiful post on a New year :)
A very happy new year to you Usha :)
Happy New Year Usha..Have a fantastic year ahead :)
Beautiful post, Usha :)
happy new year to you and your family :)
Happy new year to you and your family, Usha! :)
"Growing up comes at a price" - what a fine exprssion!
'Our days are full of georgeous tomorrows' - whs it Robert Lynd who said this?
Wishing you a peaceful, plentyful and promising New Year.
isn't there a sadness that seems to say 'why doesn't time stop?i really wishit had stopped some 20 years back.2008 seemed to pass off in a jiff and it is likely that 2009 will be the same.no new year resolutions for me.i've resolved ne'er to make them.they only point out how badly organised one can be.i can only hope that society will mature and say NO to all the incidents/developments that are detrimental to world peace.
God bless, dear Usha. A big warm hug to you.
Ah the luxuries of growing older and wiser . A happy new year to you , my dear friend :)
Wishing you a great new year.
May the new year be all that you want it to be!
happy new year!
BTW - I have linked to you on the resolutions bit - old minds ..sigh..think alike
And inspite of Jan 1st being 'just another day' you still cannot help but feel that the brand new days will be 'full of hope and promise' showing us that beneath the Usha who is being matter of fact and claiming to have become more cynical about all the exitement on new year lies the vibrant, enthusiastic and bindaas lady that we all know and love for whom each day is the beginning of a new life. May your diary this year be full of all that you have ever wanted- have a great 2009!
everything good n happy wished for you this year Usha!! :)
and hopefully i will get to see you too in these 365 days?!
hugs
abha
hi..happy new year to you and uncle.
just chanced by ur blog and am amazed at wat i read (only very little, yet to catch on the yrs. of writing). can see where sid gets his flair from. i can see Aki has some serious competition.
i have jus started blogging and long way from putting down thoughts into words without sounding like i am writing a legal brief..:)
Once again Wish all of u a happy healthy and peaceful 2009.
Usha, you have become a good friend to me in the last year, and I wish you the best of luck and fortune in this one. To the future--
I always feel like whining when I read you - 'why can't I write that well....why....whyyyyyyyy?'.
Happy new year. You rock!
I feel a 'mellow fruitfulness' as I grow with age.
May the new year keep your cheer and spirits up as ever!
Cheers
An award for you at my place, Usha- please come over!
You are so eloquent Usha; a gifted writer and I look forward to reading more of what you have to say in 2009.
You are right that a year end does not automatically bring a new beginning and that every day has that capacity but sometimes I think that we are so busy in our daily lives we don't take the time to reflect on them enough...perhaps the holiday breaks are a good time to do this...
I am, more than ever, aware of the passing of time and my resolve is, as is yours, to be able to look back on 2009 with satisfaction...for that I do need to make some resolutions otherwise it will be another year for me that I have not acheived all that I wanted to. In other years I've only half heartedly attempted resolutions..it was just a game..but this year I feel quite different...it's a year of change for Mrs T....
Peace and joy in 2009 to you Usha, my friend.
Chettan says,
Nice to read ur Blogs. Akila is really lucky to be in ur family.Really it is Ageless Bonding.3 days in this year have gone.2008 has got the name estd as Last year.
Last year is an unforgetful year for both our families. will always be fresh in memory.
Happy New Year
Hi ll, My very best to you all in the new year.
Bhavna: Thank you and I look forward to ore interaction with you through future posts.
CW, SBORA: Happy new year to you too!
Akila: is that some kind of threat! hehehe..I will if you promise to be sweet. :)
Shy: Thank you. Do share your thoughts more often. :)
Praveen: thanks yes LOL indeed @ Akila.
Jira: Yes, it is good for us to have such checkpoints for course corrections.
Kanagu, Dhanya, S&S, Anu: Thank you. My wishes to you too.
Mahadevan:Thank you for your continued support. :)
Hipgran: I am with you completely.
JLT: Hugs right back.
Mrs G:Happy to have known you in 2008 my dear. Have a wonderful 2009!
Krishnan, Dipali, chandni: Thank you so much.
Mallika: hehehehe. so true.
Diya; That is so sweet of you. :)
Abha: Sure. we will.
Priya: hey, what a surprise. Thanks for the nice words. Will look uyp your blog soon. My regards to you, sesh and Aditi and the very best in the new year.
Havah: It has been a pleasure knowing you and sharing thoughts. To the future indeed.
Parul Hey, guess what! I get the exact feeling when I read you. :) Happy new year girl. You rock too!
Maami: age a ? what are you talking about? you are so young and why would you talk of age I wonder.
Thank you, Thank you.
Dipali; Thank you. I appreciate the award and feel humbled.
Jane: Thank you for the sweet words. Coming from you, this is an honour.
Chettan:Thank you for the lovely comment. 2008 will always be memorable for both our families. :)
Usha :)
Wishing you a happy 365 pages of the diary and more!
Beautiful thoughts from you and yeah, I do miss those days when 31st Dec was no ordinary day and had a different meaning!!
Usha, could not agree with you more. I was myself pondering over the contrast of NY thoughts years ago and now! Nahppy 2009!
You and Laksh triggered me to blabber here: http://anamikatalks.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-year-thoughts.html
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