New thoughts for the new year

A new year has arrived with 365 fresh days and renewed energy to carry us forward. How do you plan to make the most of it?

Have you closed out the last year? How many things are you carrying forward into the new year—goals, aspirations, wins, setbacks, conflicts, love, friendship, joy, sorrow, and more? Should we take them all with us? It would be wise to carry only what is essential—the things that help us become the person we want to be or bring us joy. Although easier said than done, give it a try.

Most of us had different expectations for 2022. Some were fulfilled, others were not. Let’s take some time to reflect on our achievements, lessons we want to carry forward, and memorable events to cherish—and let go of the ones that no longer serve us.

It seems we focus more on what we missed than on what we achieved. As children, we checked where we lost marks in a test and were advised to work harder on those questions. In the workplace, performance appraisals often highlight incomplete tasks, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.

Look at the news headlines—headlines mostly focus on issues, problems in society, politics, communities, corporations, and individuals. Rarely do we see content showcasing what’s going well or who has done good work.

We are conditioned to this behavior and tend to talk about problems—even with friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues. Shouldn’t we build a habit of thinking and talking about things we are grateful for?

We’ve become accustomed to focusing on problems—even in conversations with friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues. But what if we built a habit of thinking and talking about the things we’re grateful for?

Isn’t it possible to shift our attention to the good happening around us? To choose content that uplifts and inspires rather than drains us? I believe it is worth trying.

What do you think? Would you consider adding this to your New Year’s resolutions—making gratitude and positivity a part of your daily conversations?

—Anitha KC