Another year has passed by and we have ushered into a brand new year now. The year in 2022. New years are about new celebrations, new energy accompanied with new vibrations … something that most of us relate to if not all.

Undoubtedly, the past two years have been very difficult for many of us and life patterns have changed as well. The losses are irreparable but I personally think that there is also a message that we need to understand that these troubling times are trying to teach us. As a human race, we claim to be the most advanced species of all but somehow we end up becoming the victims of our own actions at the end of the day! The pandemic, the current socio-political & even the economic scenario in the state is also our own doing! While taking no political stand here, I would just like to point out that as a civil society, we are failing many times as we have not understood the collective power of exercising our choice and I just hope that, someday short term benefits will not outweigh and we will be able to see the long term results.

Having spoken about the larger picture, let me come down to some personal experiences. I feel every year presents us with enough time to gather experiences and learn a lot from them. But we as human beings forget it with time. As month after month passes on we tend to take things for granted and slip back to our comfort zone. The sense of happiness and gratitude somehow wanes off and we stop putting the required effort into our own growth or towards the growth of bonds and relationships that are closer to our hearts and end up ruining many things. The usual days with its mundane activities tires us and of course, there are gloomy days where we deal with our worst shelves as well.

As in my case, I have discovered that I am an old soul who loves simple things, hold on to old memories or relationships, preserve moments be it in the form of pictures, videos or sometimes my mind captures precious moments and stores & I sometimes dream those moments that brought a genuine smile. Having said that, I also have a very inquisitive mind that wants to explore new territories, try out new cuisines, meet new people, understand new cultures, broaden my horizons and yes, be expressive about my thoughts. Being an ambivert, I might act detached a few times but when I space out, I just need to be in touch with my own self and try to sort out my own overthinking mind. This has nothing to do with anything that hampers my feelings towards certain things or people. Towards the end of this year, I had a sense of anxiety and I wanted to just escape somewhere. The year 2021 was my year of Acceptance which I managed to do from within my heart, which I was struggling with for so many years. Once this acceptance happened, I certainly felt at ease, I felt free but at the same time, I felt overwhelmed as well! Hence, I spaced out from everywhere and kept in touch with people who mattered, people who probably have accepted me at my worst.

Like, every year, this year also I have been trying to find many sources of motivation to lead a life of purpose, to understand life as it is, at least for me. While doing so I came across, the news about the sad demise of Betty White and yes, she has been my favorite since I saw the movie The Proposal. The chemistry between the leading couple Sandra Bullock & Ryan Reynolds melted my heart, but the character of Grandma Annie( Played by Betty White) left an indelible mark in my mind. Probably somewhere after seeing the movie, I had aspired to grow old like her, with a smile on my face, touch upon people with warmth, and maybe do things that bring joy and purpose into my life.

So, as I read more about her and her life she inspired me immensely, She was a person full of life and had a never say die spirit till the very end. She struggled to be in the broadcasting industry when she was being rejected over & over because apparently, she was not considered ” photogenic”; her first marriage ended when her husband wanted a simple life and Betty had a bigger purpose to fulfill, she struggled to come to terms with the society that many times labeled her with being not so feminine because she was funny! Many obstacles came her way but she never gave up. With her passion for life, her childlike laughter, and a heart that wanted to live life to the fullest, she certainly went on to live a life that will now serve as an inspiration for many( including me).

The below lines are from the article and I quote a single line below where she shared the secret to her happy life!

According to White, being “born a cockeyed optimist” is the key to her upbeat nature. “I got it from my mom, and that never changed,” she says. “I always find the positive.”

To always look for positivity is not at all easy. But waking up every day with hope in her heart & glitter in her eyes might be the reason why she lived an eventful life. Luck was favorable to her at many crucial junctures like her shows becoming mega hits, her second husband becoming her pillar of strength, etc. but we can never deny that it was also her hard work and the right attitude that helped her carve out a unique niche for herself. She was steady and worked continuously even when things did not go well for her.

So, my personal takeaway is that we all have some old & unique qualities in us, some old & important bonds, some old & unfinished assignments, some old & pending promises, and all these old things need a touch of newness from us from time to time and not just on New Year. The qualities need a new way of honing them, the relationships need new forms of nurturing them, the assignments & promises need new dedication to bring them towards completion, etc. And more importantly, to be open about new learnings and invest new energy, each day into our dreams and also relationships can help us live a balanced and meaningful life.

In the end, I wish that this year 2022 be a year, where we successfully evolve as more resilient beings with kindness, empathy, and compassion embedded in our hearts and a fierce spirit to strive against any hardship. May all our dreams get fulfilled, may we meet & preserve real people who do not play with our emotions, may we touch our old lives with the golden touch of newness, and may this year be the beginning to teach us the secrets of living a life of purpose!

Wishing you all a fabulous New Year filled with luck, laughter & limitless possibilities!

Love,

Chinmayee

 I am excited to be a part of blog hop “ Saying Goodbye 2021 & Saying hello 2022” hosted by my dear friend Swarnali from thesaffronstoryteller.com.