~*~*~*
[reflect]
This is the 3rd and final entry of the year - I'm impressed at the exponential drop in my no. of posts.
So, has this been a year well lived?
Akin to what people describe as "a life well lived", I wonder what does "a year well lived" mean.
Is a smooth-sailing year with few hiccups, punctuated with happy episodes, with all your new year resolutions achieved, goals met a "year well lived"?
Or, is it about overcoming the challenges, enduring the bad situations and emerging as a stronger and better person than you were last year?
We tend to label the latter as a "difficult year", and as the year ends, we pray and hope for a "better year". But really, if everything is so smooth-sailing, are we learning? Do we become better versions of ourselves? Are our psychological and emotional shields developing adequately?
That said, having an entire year of challenges is definitely not desirable. It consumes you, drains you and leave you sucked dry of energy and positivity.
It's always about a balance of both. And in everyone's lives, I'm sure we have a bit of both.
Me too.
There were several notable milestones in my life this year (getting married, moving into our new place, visiting Japan for the first time, experiencing snow for the first time, getting Miyu, being reunited with Yuuki), many more memorable moments, and several big big downs (for myself and loved ones, e.g., my terrible physical health).
Like I said, a bit of both.
You always need a bit of both.
~*~*~*~
[stock-take]
Let's revisit what I'd hoped for in 2017:
1. To become bulletproof, and to not let bullshit (things that are not worth fretting over) get to me.
[I tried. And I think I managed to become 20% more bulletproof]
2. To stop beating myself up for things that had gone awry. Move on when I got to.
[This is too difficult. I'd beaten myself up x times this year. But at least, I could move on.]
3. To slowly let things go.
[For many things, I have.]
4. To prioritise and spend time on things and people that are worth spending time on.
[I'm still trying. But sometimes I tend to get carried away with the less significant things.]
5. To remember to be grateful for what I have. Always.
[Have to remind myself constantly not to take things for granted. And I'm trying not to.]
6. To choose to embrace the apples, and enjoy the sourness of the lemons.
[The sourness is never easy to enjoy. But you just have to keep looking for the gems embedded within the sourness.]
~*~*~*
[anticipate]
For the coming year, major changes will be taking place (work wise). Who knows what they will bring? Changes can be both exciting and intimidating. But I guess, either way, they may be catalysts for something greater.
And on a more personal level, I just hope to take better care of myself and my loved ones -physically, psychologically, and emotionally. And to be resilient (physically, psychologically and emotionally) in order to face, endure, and maybe
enjoy the sourness of life.
Happy 2018 everyone! :)
