Time to Officially Welcome 2018
This roller coaster journey that we call life, has taken me through many ups and downs this year. I’ve grown in many ways and yet the values that I have always held on to, are as close to my heart as they ever were.
Every year, I go through a metamorphosis of sorts; transformations that draw me closer to the butterfly that I eventually want to be. From travelling halfway around the world, to understanding the importance of protecting our own culture, to seeing the very city I live in through a different lens ~ my experiences this year have shaped me into a stronger person.
I’ve also ridden the many waves of emotions in these twelve months. Some days were great, while others not so much. But between the two, there were emotions of happiness, cheerfulness, love, excitement, and passion that made the entire year a brilliant tapestry of experience.
As I move forward into 2018, here’s what I ponder: Will my tapestry have room for more ~ for the experiences that I anticipate in the coming year? But here’s what I realise: This gorgeous tapestry that holds the stitches of my experiences this past year is but a small self-contained square that attaches itself to a bigger more vibrant quilt which puts together the life that I have lived until now! My actions, my thoughts, my words ~ all of them play a role. That is to say: it is me who decides the colours, the quality of the stitches, and whether I want to make my quilt beautiful or not.
Last year I thought deeply about resolutions. Just as much as I wanted to change in many ways, I realised that changes are most beautiful when they are not forced on us. So, I abandoned my list of resolutions in favour of living by “a word” ~ not a promise, not a change ~ just a single word to focus on for a whole year: “Gratitude”
I wanted this word to sum up who I wanted to be and how I wanted to live.
In a world rife with so many negative emotions, I decided to acknowledge good by being grateful. It did not require me to change anything in my daily life, and yet by being grateful for things I had and the things I received ~ I have experienced a transformation where I am more aware of the kindness and thoughtfulness of others.
For the upcoming year, I have decided to continue my journey of gratitude, and add mindfulness to it. “Mindfulness” is actually a very simple ideology; it requires us to be attentive to life as it unfolds before us. There are no special procedures or requirements for being mindful, and the thing I like about mindfulness is that it is more of an intention than an action.
Since early childhood, I have had this uncanny ability of being able to disassociate. It helped me control my anxieties but it eventually grew into a habit. And, I realised how quickly I would grow bored if things did not provide some sort of stimulus, or challenge me. This restlessness in me made me dislike the idea of living an ordinary life.
However, the truth is that life is majorly summed up in the ordinary moments that we live in. In my need to explore more, to find a new challenge, or to push away the ordinary ~ I feel that I have failed to take note of the things that have actually moulded me into who I am.
With the New Year approaching, I want to be more mindful of the life I lead. I want to pay attention to life as it reveals itself in the present. To think of losing out on life not because I made mistakes but simply because I failed to pay attention to the everyday life that I led ~ would be a sad mistake ~ a mistake that I hope to put right in 2018. This New Year, I want to learn to be present for my own life.
To conclude: It’s time to officially welcome 2018! This year, I want to be more mindful of the smaller, more intricate patterns that are forming the tapestry of my life. I want it to vibrantly represent the unrestrained life I lead and I also want it to beautifully stitch the simpler actions which reflect the ordinary life I live with extraordinary fulfillment!
If you decide to pick a word for the New Year, please leave a comment about it to inspire me, and perhaps many others hoping to be inspired.
Loving your “word of the year” pick, Tanya! Mine for the New Year is ‘Connected’. I need to make an effort to stay connected with myself, to my reality, to other people and being genuinely present with them. ❤️
Thank you for sharing, Asmita.
I did try “Courage” for some time this year… I’m finding that it takes a specific kind of strength to live an ordinary life well. I hope you have an extraordinary 2018, Tanya!
Thank you for sharing, Abhishek. Wishing you an amazing 2018, too!
Your posts have limitless wisdom always! “Brave.” I need to be more courageous than I have ever been, and take risks I would not normally, especially for myself!
Thank you for sharing, Naveen.
In love with your point of view! ❤️ My word is ‘Wholehearted’ – as it is an important word that envelops an entire way of looking at the world!
Thank you for sharing, Prarthana.
Such a lovely read this was. ❤️ Thank you for the inspiration, Tanya! My word is “breathe,” something I regularly neglect to do…
Thank you for sharing, Akansha.
An incredible post with such lovely insights… You have such ability as a writer, Tanya! Keep up the good work!
Thank you so much, Rohit!
I love everything about this post; pictures and the narrative included. My work-pick is “Sunshine” – when the sun’s rays peek through a cloud and you understand how important its radiance is! 🙂
Thank you for sharing, Abhijeet.
Align – makes me think of harmony as well. Like harmony between my mind and body, as well as in my relationships. Happy New Year and thank you for sharing, gorgeous!
Thank you for sharing as well, Gurkirat.
Your post is an amazing and fascinating read, Tanya! And my word would be “Perseverance”… The world is filled with wonders! One only needs the attitude to enjoy it.
Thank you for sharing, Sheetal.
Love your wise words, Tanya. There are any number of things in life that we just need to focus on staying with before we can judge the outcome… That said, I have thoroughly enjoyed the sharing of your curated blog-posts. Each has been inspiring!
Thank you for sharing and for your fulsome appreciation, Ashlesha.
My selection for 2018 is “Bewustzijn”, a Dutch word which implies something similar to mindfulness, cognisance or even care. It has to do with developing my perception of living in the moment and the energy of “now.” ❤️
How very interesting… Thank you for sharing, Amogha.
Wow ❤️ this is so beautiful! My work choice for 2017 was “Mindfulness.” For 2018 I have chosen – Align… aligning my mind and body with the goal that I can give the best of myself to my loved ones!
Thank you for sharing, Nidhi.
This is a beautiful share, and thank you for giving us this opportunity. I guess my word for the New Year could be “Content.” In 2018, while pursuing my interests and passions, I need to be content with where God has placed me – in the now!
Thank you for sharing, Heta.
Love your creativity, Tanya… and your posts are absolutely fabulous! My pick would be “Present.” I am continually looking forward or backward when I actually should be present and find peace in the now…
Thank you for sharing, Neha.
The energy of this share is just… ! I pick two words, really. Courageous growth: to stop over thinking things and possible circumstances; to throw away all doubts and misgivings, and to let nothing prevent me from fulfilling my dreams!
Thank you for sharing, Nalini.
That is a strong and excellent word selection, Tanya! Mindfulness does takes a great deal of courage… Wishing you the best as you take bold conviction-based actions this year!
Thank you so much, Disha!
Every now and then I get so busy in doing that I don’t set aside time to sit back, be grateful for, and simply make the most of what’s directly before me. Still deciding on my pick for the New Year, but I hope 2018 is brimming with simple moments of joy for you, Tanya! ❤️
You’re very kind, Khyati. Thank you!
I have a tendency to get too caught up in my life and I neglect to make the most of what’s around me… And although I couldn’t join with anything meaningful, may be next time since you have shared so many ideas… 🙂
Glad to hear it, Gauri.
Such an awesome post, particularly for someone like me who is pretty easily distracted! Your blog brought to mind previous resolutions – but I do hope I make a conscious effort to fulfil them in the coming year. Thank you so much for sharing your insight! xx
You are most welcome, Aritra.
Thanks for the inspiration, Tanya. I have so much to learn and also know that this should be a way of life… “Strength” would be my word for 2018!
Thank you for sharing, Rachita.
“Hope” kept coming back to me this year (despite the fact that I had picked an alternate word initially!). I haven’t decided on one for the year 2018 yet… Kudos to you for these relevant posts. Happy New Year, Tanya!
Thank you for sharing, Ishita. Happy New Year!
It is a joy going through each post you share, Tanya. Thank you for imparting not only such valuable lessons, but also treating us to a variety of self-awareness and wellness posts! I am a product of mindful and sustainable living and happy to know that we will connect next year again with more wonderful and inspiring blogs. ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for sharing your wonderful thoughts, Akila. Deeply valued.