Author: Riddhi
Firstly, a very happy new year to all. Wishing all my readers good health, joy, and success in abundance. I spent new year’s eve on my apartment’s terrace with my family – dancing, singing, having fun. There was no sense of euphoria I felt this time, like I usually do, at the beginning of a new year. I felt rather quiet, calm. Like I am present but only existing in the background. 2020 has been a roller coaster ride for most of us. Lives were lost, relationships were tested, businesses shut down, the global uproar on social issues, political unrest, and so much more. But we made it this far.
‘Pandemic’ has been named word of the year 2020. There’s a sense of ickiness that is accompanied by this word, that makes my stomach churn. Pandemic, endemic, glycemic, uremic. Feel it? If I had to choose a word for 2020, it would be ‘hope’. Hope, I think, is what kept and continues to keep us going. The past year tested us in unimaginable ways but with an unwavering sense of hope, we waged through it, we survived. Pat yourself on the back as you read this. I had a conversation with a friend about this, and he seemed cynical about this concept of hope. True, 2020 made things look bleak for quite a long time. But I like to believe that hope triumphs experience. That people like clinging on to hope, that it gives them a tad bit more courage to face life, for it is hope that keeps you going when there’s nothing else left.
I spent a major part of the year cooking, reading, and painting. I also spent plenty of time being grateful for everything. I kick-started the first morning of 2021 listening to ‘Feeling Good’ by Nina Simone. It’s a new day, it’s a new dawn, it’s a new life, and I’m feeling good. I sure did feel good. This year, I intend on doing more of the above-mentioned things, things I’ve written down in my journal. Over the years, I’ve grown to dislike the word ‘resolution’, puts one in a box. So no, these are not resolutions, these are just things I plan on doing more of. Things sound more doable, and therefore, raises your chances to stick to them.
No matter how unwelcome 2020 has been, I still like to believe that 2021 is going to be full of joy, prosperity, and success. We have 12 months, 365 new chances at living life unapologetically, making memories, and giving back in whatever way we can. To wind up, I feel it apt to quote lyrics of John Lennon’s Imagine, a timeless beauty –
“You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us. And the world will live as one.”
Have a great year, y’all!
Beautiful