Here we are again at the start of a new year. Every year is more or less the same length, but some might swear that 2024 was a “fast” year. With a number of upsets at the global and local scale, last year was quite a year. But as we have crossed into another year, it is time to look forward and run a fresh race. So, here are three quick pointers to consider this year.
First, commit to avoiding reckless pressure this year. Social media seems to have conditioned us to want to live like the Joneses, forgetting that a significant portion of online posts are either completely fake or somewhat exaggerated. So, before trying to live your life to match a classmate’s or colleague’s perfect online image, ask yourself if you are not trying to bite more than you can chew like the biblical persona attempting to build a house without counting the cost.
Second, choose to be good. In today’s world, trying to be “good” can easily come across as being foolish, naïve, or lacking street sense. Combined with social media mob-like pressure, there is a strong incentive to be the “baddest” person on the block. But to what end? We can choose to buck the trend and be like those who turn the other cheek. Asides from avoiding unnecessary retaliation, we can choose to do good to people without expecting anything in return. Just be good for goodness’ sake!
Lastly, cut yourself some slack. Go through the year recognising that you are human, hence, you are not expected to be “perfect”. So, do not beat yourself unnecessarily. If you wrong someone, apologise, and seek to be better. If you make a mistake, learn from it, and come back better. As long as you are making “honest” mistakes, see them as learning points. Of course, it is always better to learn from another person’s mistakes, but if experience decides to sit you down and teach you, be humble enough to learn. Another angle to this is that learning to cut yourself some slack also means learning to cut others some slack. Hope you get it?
Here’s a ramp to an amazing year; a year in which we prosper in all good things and have unwavering peace that comes from knowing that all things work together for our good.
Happy New Year!
Jilomes 