As the pages of the calendar turn, I’ve realized that there are no terrible years. Throughout our lives, the years weave together into a tapestry of learning and experiences, some marked by intensity, others by tranquility, but all equally precious.
Year-End Reflections: A New Perspective
I’ve come to a firm conclusion that how we value a year depends less on external events and more on our capacity to love, forgive, laugh, learn new things, and critically reassess our egos and attachments.
Even suffering and failure, which we often view as adversaries, are teachers in disguise, opportunities cloaked as obstacles.
Understanding that our choices and reactions to the undesirable are reflections of our will’s development is a challenge. If something in my life is unsatisfactory, I have the power and responsibility to change it.
This requires iron-willed determination, but it’s a path open to us all.
Choosing Happiness: A Daily Commitment
I wondered what it takes to create a successful year. We all aspire to improve daily, and I realized that the purpose of life is to learn to love, make a difference, and be happy.
Working on these goals daily is crucial, but how do we do it? There are three fundamental pillars.
Cultivating Love Through Responsibility
To love means to take responsibility.
Work, whether paid or unpaid, elevates the spirit and soul, benefiting our mental health. Nowadays, fatigue is seen as a sign of weakness, but it should be viewed as an indicator that we are fully investing ourselves in our tasks. We come into this world to expend our energy on worthwhile endeavors.
Freedom: A Tool for Personal Growth
Freedom is a powerful tool for personal growth.
It’s not about always getting what we want, but about using our freedom to do what we should and enjoying the process. This perspective allows us to transform exhaustion into a sign of commitment to love and personal improvement.
Willpower: Prioritizing the Essential
The final pillar is willpower, the ability to defer immediate gratifications in favor of long-term goals.
We must be kind and respectful to each other, smile often, and value every human interaction. Our homes should be reflections of life, with signs of use and love, rather than pursuing unattainable perfection.
Diminishing Technology to Enrich Human Relationships
Limiting technology use and encouraging face-to-face interaction is essential.
We must cherish closeness and love in our families, devoting time to joint activities such as traditional games and deep conversations. This strengthens family and friendship bonds, creating a support network of emotional resilience.
Sharing: Multiplying Joy, Dividing Sorrow
Sharing our experiences, both joyful and sorrowful, has a transformative effect on our being.
By sharing, our heart grows, becoming more resilient to sorrows and more receptive to joys. This practice deepens our connection with others and ourselves.
Happiness as an Active Choice
Making the active decision to be happy does not free us from problems but changes our attitude towards them.
Happiness then becomes a conscious choice, one we choose every day despite the challenges we face.
Each year brings its challenges and blessings. Embracing this with an open, willing attitude toward change, love, and learning can transform every year into an enriching experience, regardless of its ups and downs. Ultimately, there are no bad years, only valuable lessons and opportunities for growth.
Start the New Year with Joy: A Guide to Phrases for a Year Full of Success
The perfect words to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new. Our selection of inspirational phrases encompasses gratitude, love, and goals for the future. Send a message of hope and affection to your friends and family for… read more>>
Mike Rivero
