Just another night ... or is it?

A New Year has begun. That’s what the calendar is telling me: first day of January of the year 2015. Funny thing is my grandmother made a very wise comment last night: “it is just another night.”

I was stunned … but she’s right.

Last night was just another night, but we – humans – love giving meaning to everything! So it stopped being just another night and it became a night for celebration. It’s a great reason for us to get together with friends and family. It’s a great way for us to feel better about ourselves saying that everything that happened in 2014 can now be left in the past since we now have the opportunity for a new beginning. It’s also great way for my sister to play with some explosives (and for some of you too).

We get excited with New Year’s resolutions and new commitments. Geez, a few days ago I even made three lists for the new year: one for things I want to accomplish, another one for the mental awareness I want to develop, and another one that reminds me to do the things that make me happy. I hadn’t written down a resolution since I was in high school…but I felt the need to write one out this year after 2014 made me feel like my life spiraled out of control a few times. This year I wanted these lists to be my safe reminders, maybe my own insurance against losing focus.

But last night was just another night, right?

Tonight is just another night.

Tomorrow will be another night.

What if we stop making New Year’s resolutions and we make daily resolutions as a way to always live in the present? Instead of using big events (birthdays, anniversaries, or government appointed holidays) as the only reasons we get together with friends and family, maybe we start calling our friends on random days to get together and enjoy each other’s company. Unplanned “parties” with friends and family often lead to fun conversations and great memories that can exceed those of planned special events. What if we see everyday as a new beginning instead of waiting until the end of the year?

Unfortunately, we do this every year and someone says or writes something similar to what you have just read. We make a few resolutions and then feel good about accomplishing some of them, a lucky few feel great for accomplishing all, and a few others never look at the list again.

Maybe the secret is in seeing every night as just another night. Looks like there is still some truth to the words carpe diem and that we should be seizing everyday by treating every day as the last.

Well, I’ll go and burn my lists now...maybe not since I already did the work. I’ll just make sure to look at them every day! Oh crap – that sounds like another resolution…

#newyear #resolution #january1 #2014 #2015