Feliz año nuevo. Eυτυχισμένο το νέο έτος. سنة جديدة سعيدة. Bonne année.新年好. Happy New Year.
Christmas is only truly understood by Christians, but exploited by money-grabbing corporates and Hollywood. The only festival that's truly understood by everyone around the world, regardless of creed or colour is New Year. Thanks to the internet and international travel, even those on a different calendar have to adhere to the Gregorian calendar. So for me, it's a bigger deal.
Final curtain call for 2013
This year has been a shocking and intense year. We said farewell to Lou Reed, James Gandolfini, Thatcher, Iain Banks, one half of Kriss Kross and Nelson Mandela. A 112 year old theatre in heart of London's West End collapsed. The Pope resigned. The royal family gained a heir. A marathon was bombed. Factories collapsed. Ed Snowden blew a whistle. Shopping malls were a scene of massacres. The Philippines endured the worst typhoon in history. Iran opens its doors. And Operation Yewtree changed our childhoods.
According to the Mayan's, last year should have been the apocalypse. And plenty of American's believed The Rapture should have already taken the good. I believe since 2010, there has been an apocalypse or rapture of sorts. That was when the Arab Spring started, when the people of Tunisia stood up for democracy and like dominoes in a line, all the other Arab states followed suit. The Occupy movement started in the Western world. WikiLeaks published diplomatic cables. Osama was killed, and he was joined by Colonel Gadaffi, Kim Jong Il, Jimmy Saville and Ronnie Biggs. All bad people, all got their comeuppance. And it's still happening.
What goes around comes around. The things that don't make sense are put right. 2014 will be a year of fruition and shock.
Reflection and new beginnings
Whether you want to or not, you can't help thinking about the past year(s). This time of year has a funny way of doing that. You think about what you've achieved, what you hope to achieve and whether or not you're where you want to be.
For me, happiness is paramount. I know what makes me happy and I strive to get it. It's not easy, there's a lot of figurative blood, actual tears and a whole heap of worry - ultimately, I know it's all worth it. I have a fulfilled life full of people who I adore and plenty of nourishment for my soul. I selfishly indulge myself, practically drowning in the things that excite and stimulate me, for example I try and catch art exhibitions, surround myself in knowledge and escapism in terms of packed book shelves and desperate to be a published novelist I'm constantly (mentally) writing books. As well as a party girl, I'm also a house-proud homebody, so I live these in equal measure. And with a thirst for learning and new experiences, I'm always plotting my next travel plan. This year has been rich in these things.
It's been a fantastic year for me. There's been sadness and struggles, but overall it's been a good one. And this makes me excited for the coming year. Already there's lots of exciting things coming up. The key is if you have a solid foundation and fire in your belly, it doesn't matter where you thought you would be or hope to have achieved, you'll be happy with where you are and what you have done.
We get bogged down with timetables and plans. We forget to appreciate the here and now. That's not to say that your here and now makes you happy, it might make you miserable; so the New Year is an opportunity to make that change. Although I believe everything happens for a reason, I also believe we're each in charge of our own destiny. We decide which path to travel on, even if it means taking a few wrong turns or a few rocky paths, or even going back to where you started - you're ultimately in charge. If you allow yourself to go wherever life takes you... or where the people in your life take you, you'll be fulfilling someone else's destiny and you'll never realise your full potential or happiness.
So no matter what your resolutions are, what your plans are or where you are at the moment, remember to be happy within yourself.
Happy New Year 2013 everyone.
My 2014 predictions
Many (if not all) of my 2013 predictions came true. So this year, I'm publicly documenting them so I can say 'I knew it' and have proof when the news breaks.
- Idris Elba will win an Oscar
- Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux will break up
- Cheryl Cole and Ashley Cole will get back together
- X-Factor will have its final series
- Johnny Depp and Amber Heard will break up
- Binky and Alex (Made In Chelsea) will get engaged
- Prince Harry and Cressida will get engaged
- Justin Bieber will die accidentally (he's already announced his retirement, so I'm calling this a victory)
- Miley Cyrus will have a break down
- 2014 cinema will be underwhelming
- Brad Pitt and Angelina will split
- Cooper Temple Clause will make a comeback
- Glastonbury will have its worst year
- Russia will have a revolution (akin to 1917 but without the Communism)
- Pedro Almodovar will make his first English speaking movie
- David Cameron will be the first British Prime Minister ousted from government (this might just be wishful thinking)
With a few exceptions/changes, I've fundamentally had the same list for years. Although I make a slight headway with them, there's still significant work to be done in order to properly tick them off the list. Perhaps if I publish them, it'll give the universe (and me) enough impetus to make them happen:
- Learn to bake and sew
- Brush up on French
- Finish writing at least one novel
- Travel to India and South America
- Redecorate the house
- Keep in touch with distant friends and family
- Reread Penguin classics I read as a teenager
- Take up yoga/boxing/jazz dancing
- Watch music legends live
- Complete vinyl collection
First published on 29/12/2013
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