Friday, December 31, 2004

The last day of the year

...and I am being cynical about it. I don't believe in "new year's resolutions" - if you don't make them you don't have to stop one day and think about if you kept up with what you were making up on December 31st of last year. What the new year brings is confusion when writing a date, it always takes me a while to remember that it is a different year now. For me this is kind of one day like all the others, mainly because there will be no fireworks. Fireworks ring in the new year in Germany and since living on the North-American continent I have been missing this tradition. I never bought fireworks myself, we just went outside and watched it. Last year it was actually past twelve when we realized, hey, the new year is here.

A good friend of mine died this year, he was someone who did not believe in regrets about ones actions or missed opportunities. Instead he would go and try to do better in the future. Not that he needed a lot of improvement, he was a great guy and I miss him a lot. I haven't come to the point of no regrets yet but I am working on it. I also know I could do a lot better in some areas of my life and that I have to change others. But I don't need January 1st to start doing this. I just have to remind myself everyday that it is neccessary to do ones best so that there will be no possibility of feeling regretful. I still have a long way to go.

What I want to say is: If you think you have to change things in your life that you're not happy about at the beginning of a new year, go ahead, use January 1st your best way possible. But don't hesitate to keep changing in the ongoing year either, don't waste your time waiting for appropriate dates to begin with changes, they are good and we need them.

When I started writing this post I didn't think it would turn out this way, especially since it feels now as if I am stating the obvious - at least to me.

Nonetheless and without any cynic intentions: I wish you the best and all the happiness you can get for the new year!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

All the best to you, too, Mona, and I don't need January 1st to wish that for you :-)

My wish for you (and for myself too, come to think of it) is to be able to recognize when change is needed and have the courage to go ahead with it. It sounds like your friend was that kind of person, who knew when he needed to try harder, do better, and my heart goes out to you for your loss.

Take care,

Lee Ann