Skip to main content

New Year

In the Cosmic Calendar our home, planet Earth, is adding another year to the 13.8 billion-year history. This emphasizes the briefness of our individual lives and human history within the vastness of cosmic time. New Year symbolizes a small but significant milestone in the ongoing evolution of the universe. It represents the continuation of life's journey on our planet as it continues to spin around the Sun.

New Year coincides with the Northern Hemisphere's the shortest day of the year. So this event marks the gradual return of sunlight and longer days, symbolizing renewal and rebirth. Different cultures celebrate their new year at different times. But as a universally accepted calendar, New Year's day on the Gregorian Calendar is celebrated by all cultures. So New Year's Day can be considered as a celebration of the humanity on Earth.

New Year's day is a time to reflect on the past year and set goals for the year ahead. They can be big or small, personal or professional, but they should all be something that you're excited about and committed to achieving. Here are some popular New Year's resolutions:

  • Health and fitness: Getting healthy and fit can improve your energy levels, mood, and overall well-being. Some specific goals you could set include eating healthier, exercising more regularly, or getting enough sleep.
  • Personal growth: It can be anything from learning a new skill to overcoming a fear. If you're not sure where to start, think about what you've always wanted to do but never had the time or courage to try.
  • Financial goals: Getting your finances in order can give you peace of mind and set you up for success in the future. Some common financial goals include saving more money, paying off debt, or investing for retirement.
  • Relationships: Spend more time with loved ones, make new friends, or improve your communication skills.
  • Career: Get a promotion, start your own business, or make a career change.
The success rate of New Year's resolutions is notoriously low. Studies suggest that Only 8% to 12% of Americans successfully keep their New Year's resolutions: A 2007 study by the University of Scranton found that just 8% of people adhered to their resolutions after six months. A 2016 study by the University of Bristol put the figure at 12%.

Reasons for low success rates is setting overly ambitious or vague goals. Without a clear plan and supportive environment sticking to resolutions can be challenging. Breaking established habits and relying solely on willpower can be difficult. It is possible to increase success rate by:

  • Set SMART(Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) goals
  • Break down your goals into smaller steps and create a timeline.
  • Monitor your progress and celebrate achievements.
  • Don't be discouraged by setbacks, focus on progress.
Let us celebrate the vibrant threads of culture, language and belief that weave us together. We are united by a shared yearning for understanding and connection. Let us not be bystanders in the unfolding drama of life. Let us be the artists, the poets, the architects of a brighter tomorrow. Let us write stories of courage, paint landscapes of compassion, and build bridges of understanding across divides. May the whispers of the new year carry the promise of healing, the rhythm of innovation, and the symphony of shared humanity.

Happy New Year!

Comments

Popular Posts

Effects of Colonization in India

Some people still have the illusion that the British Raj was not all that bad. But in reality is that the British Colonial rule as against the interests of the common people of the Indian sub-continent and it destroyed the education system, economy, ancient monuments and livelihood of the people. One can trace the education system in India to third century B.C. Ancient days, the sages and scholars imparted education orally. After the development of letters it took the form of writing. Palm leaves and bark of trees were used for education. Temples and community centers often took the role of schools. When Buddhism spread in India , education became available to everyone and this led to the establishment of some world famous educational institutions Nalanda, Vikramshila and Takshashila. These educational institutes in fact arose from the monasteries. History has taken special care to give Nalanda University , which flourished from the fifth to 13th century AD, full credit for its e...

Rise of Indian Nationalism

In India , the decades after the First War for Independence (1857) were a period of growing political awareness, manifestation of public opinion, and emergence of leadership at national and provincial levels. Gloomy economic uncertainties created by British colonial rule and the limited opportunities that awaited for the increasing number of western-educated graduates began to dominate the rhetoric of leaders who had begun to think of themselves as a nation despite differences along the lines of region, religion, language, and caste. Dadabhai Naoroji formed East India Association in 1867, and Surendranath Banerjee founded Indian National Association in 1876. Indian National Congress is formed in 1885 in a meeting in Bombay attended by seventy-three Indian delegates. The delegates were mostly members of the upwardly mobile and successful Western-educated provincial elites, engaged in professions such as law, teaching, and journalism. They had acquired political experience from regio...

History of India - The British Raj

British India or British Raj is the term used to refer to the period of direct British imperial rule of the Indian Subcontinent which included the present-day India , Myanmar , Bangladesh and Pakistan from 1858 to 1947. Much of the territory under British control during this time was not directly ruled by the British, but was nominally independent Princely States which were directly under the rule of the Maharajas, Rajas, Thakurs and Nawabs who entered into treaties as sovereigns with the British monarch as their feudal superior. The British abolished the British East India Company and replaced it with direct rule under the British Crown in 1858. In proclaiming the new direct-rule policy to "the Princes, Chiefs, and Peoples of India", Queen Victoria promised equal treatment under British law, which never materialized. Many existing economic and revenue policies remained virtually unchanged under British Raj. But several administrative modifications were introduced...

Towards Independence

After many years of struggle and resolutions, Indian National Congress finally passed a resolution which asks for complete independence for India . On August 8, 1942 the Quit India Resolution was passed at the Bombay session of the All India Congress Committee which demands complete independence from Britain . It proposed that if the British did not accede to the demands, massive civil disobedience would be launched. At Gowalia Tank, Bombay , Gandhi urged Indians to follow non-violent civil disobedience. He told the masses to act as an independent nation and not to follow the orders of the British. His call found support among a large number of Indians. It also found support among Indian revolutionaries who were not necessarily agree to Gandhi's philosophy of non-violence. Within the Indian independence movement there was a concept of an armed force fighting its way into India to overthrow the British Raj. During the Second World War, this plan found revival, with a number...

Who am I?

A pure philosophical question. In a world where almost everyone interested to know about others opinion about you, did you ever look inward and see who are true-self? Are you the body? Are you the mind? Or something else? The question of who you are has occupied Western thought for centuries resulting in a diverse tapestry of perspectives. The Enlightenment era brought forth emphasis on the individual as a rational being capable of independent thought and judgment. This led to concepts like personal freedom, individual rights, and the pursuit of self-knowledge. Thinkers like Descartes with his famous "Cogito ergo sum" ("I think, therefore I am") and John Locke with his ideas on individualism and personal identity solidified this notion. Empiricist philosophers like John Locke and David Hume argued that our knowledge and understanding of the world are shaped by our experiences. Our senses and interactions with the environment form the foundation of who we are and...

History of India - Islamic Rulers

The Deli Sultanate refers to the many Muslim dynasties that ruled in India from 1206 to 1526. Several Turkish and Afghan dynasties ruled from Delhi : the Slave dynasty (1206-90), the Khilji dynasty (1290-1320), the Tughlaq dynasty (1320-1413), the Sayyid dynasty (1414-51), and the Lodi dynasty (1451-1526). During the last quarter of the twelfth century, Muhammad of Ghor invaded the Indo-Gangetic plain, conquering in succession Ghazni, Multan , Sindh, Lahore , and Delhi . Qutb-ud-din Aybak, one of his generals proclaimed himself Sultan of Delhi. In the 13th century, Shams ud din Iltumish (1211 - 1236), a former slave-warrior, established a Turkic kingdom in Delhi, which enabled future sultans to push in every direction; within the next 100 years, the Delhi Sultanate extended its way east to Bengal and south to the Deccan, while the sultanate itself experienced repeated threats from the northwest and internal revolts from displeased, independent-minded nobles. The sultanate was in co...

Shadow Effect

The shadow effect is a psychological concept developed by Carl Jung as a fundamental aspect of the human psyche. The shadow represents the unconscious part of ourselves that we find unacceptable or undesirable. These repressed qualities, desires, and instincts are often projected onto others, influencing our perceptions and behaviors. Jung believed that the shadow is made up of two parts: The personal shadow : The part of the shadow that contains our repressed desires, instincts, and emotions. These can be things that we consider to be negative, such as anger, aggression, or selfishness. However, the personal shadow can also contain positive qualities that we have rejected because they don't fit with our self-image. The collective shadow : The part of the shadow that is inherited from our ancestors and culture. It contains the dark side of humanity, such as violence, hatred, and prejudice. The shadow can be a source of great shame and guilt. However, it is also a source of c...

Rules of Trust

Rules of trust are the basic principles people usually follow to decide whether to rely on someone. People trust those who are honest, competent, consistent, and who care about their interests. In close relationships, trust grows when words and actions align and when both sides communicate openly and respectfully. Honesty is one of the core rules of trust because people cannot rely on someone whose words do not align with reality. Tell the truth rather than lie, exaggerate, or hide key facts, especially when others are making decisions based on what you say. Avoid excuses or half‑truths. Convenient lies damage trust once discovered. Do what you say. Following through on commitments shows integrity and makes others see you as dependable. Admit mistakes. Openly taking responsibility is often the first step in repairing trust. Reliability in trust means being someone others can count on, repeatedly, not just once. It is about matching words and actions so people feel safe depending on ...

Theory of Karma

The theory of karma is a concept that originated in Hinduism and Buddhism. It is essentially the idea that your actions have consequences, which come back to you in this life or future ones. Karma is a universal principle which explains the cause-and-effect relationship between our actions (karma) and their consequences. Good deeds (dharmic karma) lead to positive results, while bad deeds (adharmic karma) bring negative consequences. Karma is not just about the act itself, but also the intention behind it. A good deed done with a malicious intent can have negative karma, while a selfless act, even if imperfect, can have positive karma. Karma is not simply about punishment or reward. It's a way to learn and grow from our experiences. Negative consequences are meant to teach us valuable lessons to improve our future actions. Understanding karma can be a powerful tool for self-reflection and growth. It encourages us to act with good intentions and take responsibility for our ch...

Twin Tree Philosophy

The "twin tree" philosophy is a personal growth concept that encourages balance and reinvention. The two trees are: The Root Tree : Represents your past experiences, lessons learned, and the foundation of who you are. It symbolizes stability, grounding, and the wisdom gained from life's journey. The Branch Tree : Represents your future potential, aspirations, and the growth you seek. It symbolizes ambition, creativity, and the desire to reach new heights. The key to this philosophy lies in the bridge between the two trees. This bridge is a metaphor for the process of personal transformation, where you honor your past while embracing the future. It involves the following: Acknowledging Your Past: Recognizing the lessons learned and the strengths gained from past experiences. Embracing Your Future: Setting goals, taking risks, and stepping outside of your comfort zone. Finding Balance: Harmonizing the past and future, creating a sense of equilibrium in your life....