2013 is just a day away. Only one day. I highly doubt I will make another post before year’s end so I take this opportunity to say thank you to all those who took their precious time to read and/or like my posts. Much love to those who went even further by commenting on my posts or following my blog. You weren’t compelled, you didn’t have to, but you did and I really appreciate it. Those seemingly little acts made my days and meant a lot to me. Thank you.
As 2012 comes to a close, I use this medium to wish you all the best for the new year. I hope that the new year will bring happiness, peace, prosperity and love. I hope everything works out for the best in your life.
Maybe for you, as Sizzla belts out in What Does It Worth “things go the other way when a neva so you set your plan…” in 2012. Things may not have gone the way you wished but a new year is coming and it’s a chance to make resolutions. Sure, you could have done that on any day but new year, new start. It just sounds right. To quote Sizzla again, “There is no sense in turning back…” It makes no sense to dwell on the past. I know you learnt a lot in 2012 and I hope you will put whatever you learnt to good use in the coming year to go further forward. To progress. I know I learnt much and, that being said, here are 13 snippets of “advice” for 2013, all “from my own meandering experiences” this year…
1. Take time to enjoy the little things in life. It is a fact that the things you appreciate the most may not be appreciated by others. I take absolute pleasure in holding a cute baby and playing with their little fingers, having someone play in my hair, admiring sunsets, and sitting in the solitude of nature. Those are just a few. I have found that these things bring a smile to my face sometimes when I least expect it. Whatever your “little things”, find them… Enjoy them. It’ll be worth it.
2. Make the most of every opportunity. Some opportunities are really once in a lifetime. Some opportunities open doors for other opportunities. Do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone every once in a while. You may regret it but, quite likely, you will regret not doing it even more.
3. Make new friends. I made new friends this year! I think I underestimated or forgot about the joy that a new friendship can bring. I don’t know how long these friendships will last but I know for sure that I have enjoyed having these people in my life. Of special note is a dear old man who I have known for as long as I can remember. I say he’s a new friend because he has come to mean so much to me this year. He has become my friend and I do hope he will remain in my life for a long time to come. Also, I must mention a friend of a friend who became my friend. She brought me much laughter! She has also taught me a lot and inspired me even more. Whichever road our friendship takes, I will always remember and cherish these moments we shared in 2012.
4. Show your appreciation to the people who mean something to you. I remember reading The 9th Judgment by James Patterson and while I may not be able to recall the plot I remember very well a part of a conversation near the end of the novel. The main character’s husband said to her, “Too bad you can’t slip into my skin and feel how much I love you.” Will you wait until it’s too late to tell somebody how much they mean to you? Will you just stand by and watch them slip away slowly from your life? Don’t. Not if you value them. Some of us are even less expressive than an unpainted wall. Admit it. I know I can be sometimes, especially when it comes to verbal communication. Do not take it for granted that your friend, lover or family member knows how you feel. Tell them. Show them.
5. Create your own experiences. It’s not enough to live vicariously. It will never be enough. Do not rely solely on what others tell you. Instead use their experiences to gauge yourself and determine how far you are willing and able to go. Persons experience things differently and what goes for the goose doesn’t necessarily go for the gander. You might realize, as I did, that some experiences are not at all what you expected based on what others told you. It may be better. Or worse. But at least you will know for yourself for sure. Nothing beats that.
6. Be confident. I will never forget how I felt going for the first time in front of a class full of eager, expectant students. I will never forget because even though I’ve been in such a situation countless times over the past few months, I still feel a little nervous. However, they don’t have to know that. Smile with confidence, talk with confidence, walk with confidence. Even if it’s just pretend because soon it will become real. Everyone will believe in you, even if you don’t quite believe in yourself so much.
7. Be patient with others. You are not the only one with bad days. You are not the only one who feels pressured by a situation someone else takes lightly. With this in mind, be patient with those you come in contact with. The time will come when you will have to put your foot down and show some tough love but sometimes it is necessary to exercise a little patience. See how a situation plays out. See how an individual reacts to different things before chastising them
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8. Be patient. Patience, I have read and believe, is not the ability to wait but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting. We all have dreams and aspirations. 2012 was filled with ups and downs. I’ve been disappointed by things that didn’t work out quite the way I wanted them to. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by things that turned out better than I expected to just because I exercised patience. Sometimes, I have learnt, it just pays to be patient.
9. Don’t try to be something or someone you are not. It just doesn’t work. And it is EXHAUSTING. You have to just let people accept you for who you are. If they can’t do that then it’s not your problem to do anything about it. Let them go if they choose. It’s best for you. Sometimes a little change can do you good. Especially if it is a change for the better. At the same time, it must be your choice. It must not be forced on you. If you are uncomfortable with what people expect of you tell them. Don’t pretend. Express yourself. To quote Dr. Seuss: “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.”
10. Never say, “Never…”. How many times this year have I ended up doing the very things I said I wouldn’t do! Sometimes, we should not so quickly declare, “never”, especially not before considering certain important factors of a situation. Circumstances alter cases. And sometimes, the heart wants what the heart wants. And sometimes, you just have to do what you have to do. That is all.
11. Chase your own dreams. Your life is your life. Do not wait on validation from friends and family to do what you want. Do not wait on someone to live it for you. If you desire something, go for it. What if it’s not what your friend wants? That’s not the important question. The question is: Is it what you want?
12.Stop procrastinating! I get the feeling I will never stop procrastinating but I am getting there. I have improved much a lot quite a bit somewhat. A few times this past year, I decided to just do something without putting it off as I usually would. I was pleased I did. Try it. It just might become a habit.
And finally…
13. Don’t give up on God; He hasn’t given up on you. I leave that to your own interpretation.
********* HAPPY NEW YEAR! *********
