End-of-Year Blog (Part 2)

Usually at the end of the year there's some talk about people making New Years resolutions, and even a few more people touting the all-mighty "New Year, new me" mantra.  Then there are usually people who, although mostly unabashed by the idea of New Years resolutions and making a positive change for the New Year, are skeptical (to say the least) about a palpable and significant change from 11:59pm to 12:00am.

What do I think? Why not!

I'm all for the "New Year, new me" slogan. I honestly believe you can change whatever it is you declare you want to change in a span of one day.  Nay sayers would argue you can do that any day. That's true too!  I agree it's an arbitrary declaration. Yet, the advantage of proclaiming it on New Years eve is that it would be, at the very least, a symbolic synchronization. If a year has past, why can't an "old me" pass as well? If I can walk into a confessional a sinlful man, and walk about a few minutes later sinless, why not? (The holy sacrament of reconciliation has a little more nuance to that argument, but take my word for it).

So needless to say, and truth be told, I've been spending a couple of the last days of this year in bad habit mode. Been justifying it as a bad case before New Years, and then afterwards a change. How effective will it be? I don't know yet. But there's a lot to say about the morale of a clean plate (even if its a declaration made on an arbitrary date change).

I feel hopeful for the new year. This last year has been a roller coaster ride (see Part 1) far more than I can enjoy. Hoping for more stable new year, to the extant of which I can control. I can't control what I can't control, I know that now, in deep and meaningful way. And that's not something I'm worried about anymore. It's the things within my control that I hope I can change. My bad habits.  We'll see.

I hope you all had a merry Christmas with family and friends. I love my family. Had a great Christmas with them. And Happy New Year to everyone as well. And to those changing a new leaf once the clock strikes twelve, cheers! I'm there with you.