Every New Year's Eve comes with a standard set of things. A resounding optimism about the future, a sense of leaving the past behind, and many a list of things to do/plan's to accomplish in the year to come. But, the last few years have made it more and more challenging to look forward with positivity and hope. It's been an overwhelming feeling of things changing so much yet staying the same.

And in the midst of all this, we might feel our minds telling us to continue to make plans and set goals. To hold onto positivity and not get bogged down by the present. But, what if we didn't? Joseph Goldstein, the American meditation teacher, says, "A plan is just a thought." A thought-out goal we set for our future. The future has no obligation to go as we plan. The future is what it is, or rather it will be what it will be. And while we must always prepare ourselves for any eventuality, I think we must all focus on not blocking out the present.

I've done that many a time over the last two years. Find something to do that would distract me from the feeling inside. Anything I could do to fill the time so that I could move ahead. Add another project, a new area of focus to dig into, a distraction that feels like a path focussed on the future. Everything beyond what I needed to do, understand and soak in what I was feeling inside at that moment.

We need to allow what we're feeling right now not to be brushed aside. It's not something to be diluted by refocusing our energies towards a distant future. Our mind makes us do this because it is trying to avoid facing our feelings at this very moment. Don't let it. Face what you are feeling right now. Let it have its moment. Your present feelings are far more important to soak in rather than pushing yourself towards positive emotions. By facing what you're feeling right now, you can find closure with where you and the world around you are at this instant. And once you do that, when you allow the present to unload itself, the next step will feel far lighter.

So, as you step into the new year, don't let thoughts of where the year might lead you to cloud out what you feel at the moment. And let that moment lead you to the point of light & calm.

Take care and stay safe, everyone.

Weekly Recommendations

This week I recommend you spend the weekend with those you love. Content can come later.

-

-

-

Although if you do want something check this weeks episode of “The Varun duggi show” ( shameless plug! I know 😁)

✌🏽( happy new day everyone)

1-1-1: Life Unschooled with Varun Duggirala

Why the New year doesn’t have to distract you…