Why, hello there, familiar strangers. Yet another chapter has closed as
we now ready our pens to write a fresh new page.
2011 was definitely a year of change for all of us. As I sit here trying
to think back to all that’s happened, I’m struggling to find the right words to
string together to make sense of everything – the good, the sad, the bad, and
the downright ridiculous. The images of 2011’s major events blur in a swirly
haze in my mind: the passing of influential public figures who contributed to
the arts and to technology, the opening of the Ground Zero memorial, the defeat
of despotic leaders, the safe return of our troops, the wedding of a royal prince who found
his princess, and a woman who’s famous for being famous somehow managed to get
married and divorced within 72 days while also raking in at least $18 million.
Of course, this doesn’t cover half of the things that happened in the past
year, but it serves to depict how oddly scary and yet wonderful our world has
become thus far.
Things I that never expected would happen, but did:
- I never expected to break out of my socially awkward shell, but somehow I managed to get over it and find the confidence to talk to new people. Granted, I still have some fears, but I learned to stop letting most of them get the best of me.
- I never expected to gain more insight about my career goals from completing an internship last summer and learn some valuable and translatable job skills, but I’m glad that I did. Hopefully, I'll find a job at a nonprofit organization and help others using my knowledge of psychology.
- I never thought that my family and I would move to a new address, but it’s happened. Despite the slight disruption it caused in my studies and in my social life, I’m slowly getting used to our new place. Plus, it’s warm and cozy.
- I never expected that I would actually take a leadership position in one of the undergrad clubs at my college, but here I am working closely with the other club officers planning exciting new events for the Spring 2012 semester.
- I never expected that I would get a host of new ideas for writing projects, even when I haven’t intensively worked on my novel in months because of college. I never expected that my first rejection letter would sting so much at first, but it’s actually made me more determined than ever to become a more effective writer. Sometimes the most humbling of experiences can motivate you to pursue your goals with more passion.
As for my 2012 resolutions, I’m going to keep it simple: I’m going to try to live each day like it’s my last.
This means that I’m going to try to be a good daughter, a good older
sister, and a good friend. I’m going to compile recipes in a scrapbook with my
sisters, and we’re going to learn how to cook new recipes. I’m going to view my
world from different angles, and I’m going to create art out of it, even if I
have rudimentary photography skills. I’m going to listen to new and upcoming
music artists. I’m going to branch out and read philosophies I’ve never read
before, even if doing so sometimes makes me want to throw the book against the wall. I’m going to explore the
science fiction and fantasy genres more, and I’m going to do more historical
research to further develop my characters and get that novel completed. I’m
going to walk around my beloved New York City and I’m going to rediscover its
hidden treasures amid both the glitz and the grit. I’m going to travel. I’m going to write
poetry, and goddamnit, I’m going to sing my heart out.
I’m going to take all
the lessons I’ve learned from my mistakes and with these, I’m going to close my eyes and take a
deep breath. I’m going to open my eyes, my heart, and my mind. I will start anew.
Though the Mayan calendar ends in the year 2012 and people fret about
the implications, I’m actually not too worried about it. The advent of 2012 is not the harbinger marking
the end of the world, nor is it simply the end of another epoch. It's a new beginning. Every beginning has its uncertainties, but it's this very ambiguity that also gives rise to hope.
With the arrival of 2012, we raise our proverbial hats to the prospect
of a prosperous, healthy, and joyous year. We look forward to the promise of a better
future and compose lists of resolutions – that clichéd list of items that we’re
not sure we intend to keep. We often criticize others for breaking their
promises. Yet I wonder… Can we truly keep our own promises to ourselves?
I'll close this post with a song by Joy Williams.
Have a happy and healthy start to a new year, dear friends.
This is your
genesis. ;)
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