Every New Day Can Be a New Start
When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change. As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those close to me, but alas, they would have none of it.
And now as I near the end of life’s road, I suddenly realized: if I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country and, who knows, I may have even changed the world.
We suffered a lot last year, let us begin this year with optimistic thoughts. Each event in person’s life, each thought each decision, each bit of love and each interaction with someone else is like a thread in a tapestry.
Day after day, dark threads and bright threads are woven together, often, it seems, without rhyme or reason, but in the end they form a picture. When looking at the tapestry once finished, it’s beautiful, all the good things, the happiness and fulfillment, the love that was given and received, the lives that were better because of kind deeds, these are bright threads, the dark threads are the difficulties and disappointments, the trials and the tears. These are also necessary because they make the bright threads look all the brighter and help give the tapestry it’s rich, warm glow.
Wherever we are in life or business is a result of choices we’ve made. While there are outside forces that create setbacks, it is still our choice as how we will respond to those incidents that determine whether we move forward or fall behind.
I always ask myself: what am I doing well? Where am I off track? What correction should I make? What am I waiting for?
This year I decided to follow two choices:
The choice to give: Giving of my time, expertise, resources, or even a smile or praise, “ praise to people what water is to flowers, pour it on and watch them grow”, without expecting anything in return I think it is an unselfish choice. Syria needs us to rebuild it again, it needs more givers. Amazingly enough, when we focus more on the wants and needs of others, more of our wants and needs are met. When we choose to hoard what we have rather than give, we become the center of our lonely universe. As a result, we repel both people and potential blessing, “ A merry heart does good like a medicine” .
And the choice to connect with a higher power: Living a spiritual life adds a wonderful dimension to each day. It gives hope where others see defeat, energy when others are exhausted, wisdom when others are confused, and courage when others are fearful. Living without spiritual connectivity leaves us feeling empty and as if lacks a greater purpose, Living with it the better route to take.
Every new day can be a new start. No matter what has happened up till now, we have a chance to make the right decisions today .We can’t change the past, but the future is what we make , starting right now, so let’s take full advantage of the present.
Let’s learn from the past mistakes and put them behind us today. Let’s forgive those who have wronged us and ask forgiveness from those we have wronged. That probably won’t be easy, but let’s not put it off, let’s do it today.
Let’s dream new dreams in this new year, and set new goals, Let’s spend our time on things that truly count this year, love our family, be a friend to everyone, do things better ,starting today.
At last I say : Happy new year to everyone in Syria, and in the whole world. I ask God that I may bring no tear to any eye, but wipe the tear of everyone.
Butheina Alnounou