Reflections on a Different Way to Perceive the New Year’s

Welcome to a new article by our regular contributor, Dr. Bina Nangia. Dr. Nangia is a long-time spiritual seeker who works with children.

The year has gone by, like a whiff of breeze. Every time the New Year arrives, it brings with it a realisation of the time that has gone by.

Experiences, good, bad and ugly happen as events and occurrences, going by as life experiences itself. Like a flicker of light which shines for a moment and goes away.

The New Year only is a continuation of the process called life. A carry forward. Time to sit back and take stock of a part of life lived. This time for reflection of our knowledge to face life and how much we need to rethink is important to move forward on the journey called life. 

The changes which need to be done in our thinking, perceptions and interactions have to be carefully planned out for the next segment of our existence on this planet. A review of all aspects of this journey called life is vital to move forward with peace, and happiness. The choice and free will is ours.

Most of the time, New Year is celebrations, preparations and resolutions. That means trying to resolve situations and circumstances. It is usually about resolving the externals. It’s about an external change we think will bring the much needed happiness. It means “doing” something to change something. No wonder the resolutions just don’t work by the time, the second week of the New Year.

One year into the next, in time and space is a string of experiences and events which have happened. How have we responded to what has been presented in our lives depends on a lot of understanding, knowledge and real perception of what “life” is.

Events happen, deeds are done and there is no individual doer that exists.

This concept liberates and frees us from our false notion of bondage.

Resolutions can therefore be to reflect on the passing, fleeting experiences and our responses to them. Can we work on our likes and dislikes, purify our minds and govern it by a strong intellect? Can we identify areas of resistances, judgments and work towards compassion, caring, empathy? Can we build on relationships and live with oneness and love?

Resolutions can also be to know ourselves better and understand the larger scheme of things. To understand our role of a “spoke” in the wheel of totality. To make a difference in the lives of some of the people who come into our lives for a reason and purpose.

Let us celebrate our existence and resolve to move in the direction of truth, understanding and love, making each day a new day, each year a new year, full of meaningful interactions with other lives on this planet.

 About Dr. Bina Nangia

Dr. Nangia currently works with special kids. This is her calling and she has been working in this field for 20 years.

A grandmother of two boys, Dr. Nangia has been practising yoga since her younger days. Her keen interest in spirituality over many years has got her in touch with many masters. They have contributed to her growth tremendously. She shares her thoughts in magazines and newspaper articles.

Dr. Nangia is the author of Dyslexia Decoded, a handbook for special educators, which was recently published by Penguin and Hayhouse.

She shares her experiences about special education on various social networking sites, and is a trained therapist and family networker.

Dr. Nangia lives in Delhi, India.