That Time of Year - End of 2023

 So it is that time of year to clear the rafters. 

Calenders are human devices, but they sort of sync with the movements of Earth, the change of seasons and the connections of the human pysche with the Universe. 

Significant social, cultural and sentimental triggers are also kicked off before closure of the year.

What have we achieved, what we have not, what close shaves did we have and how grateful we can be. 

Moving away from all the commercialised distractions of year end, what really matters? 

I reckon it is people and how they have made you feel, inspired, discouraged or anything in between.  It is also how you have treated others you come across - given a free smile, learnt something, enjoyed discussing something or made a stand in differences of opinion.  True and lasting friendships go through the hard yards with a deeper appreciation and understanding.

What is not worth it can be let go thankfully with hindsight and relief. 

No matter where and how our station in life is on several fronts, what also is significant is to take a pause and acknowledge things  fortunate in our own platter.  

There is no need to succumb to societal pressures to compare ones self with others.   It is more important to compare your past self with your current self, to motivate yourself to an even better future. 

Each of us human beings do have a limited shelf life.   The arrival of another year means getting nearer to that best by and the separate ultimate date.    So the resolution for each New Year is more importantly, how are you going to make the best of your time, which can never be recouped, refunded or returned. 

The stroke of midnight on the last day of the old Year is just an artificial demarcation.   Every one carries on with mostly the same habitual mindsets, practices and comfort zones.  The trick is to discern better which are temporary pleasures and addictions, to sift them like unwanted chaff from what truly matters. 

So we come to the most important point in managing the transition from 2023 to 2024, how best to navigate change.    Change is the ever constant - and how to gracefully and effectively navigate its nuances is the best gift of ability of all. 

Confronting change can reaffirm your everlasting inner values, but also needs agility to approach things in a different way.   It can require new techniques to steer your personal ship.  It requires one to adapt, innovate and rethink.  Change best makes us to anticipate better, not just react but optimise risks lurking in every part of our personal journey. 

Change is best handled by managing our intensity of expectations.    Change is facilitated by being able to see and understand things that others cannot.   Good change is not 

spectacular, but consistent and gradual, like shepherding your next generation, like moving on when it is positive growth and not just rearranging the proverbial tired old furniture. 

To best change, each of us has to be mindful of our inbred attitude.

#yongkevthoughts