Self-Reformed in 2020 and Ready for the Rest of My Life!
By: Zaithoon Bin Ahamed
Tags: Life Lessons, Self Improvement, Goals, Self Reflection, Self Development

Another year is coming to a close. This December is mostly subdued and very different. No family and friends visiting from overseas, not many year-end parties and cocktails, and no large weddings and family reunions. I think COVID-19 has put more perspective into people’s lives to rethink how they live, work, interact with each other and entertain — one that’s more meaningful, more sustainable, and more authentic. Certainly it’s a life without the add-ons and superficial fluff, especially this time of year with the festive spirit kicking in, along with copious amounts of food and drink.

By now, you would typically see, on social media and within your groups, many people, amid the partying and partaking, reflecting and making new year resolutions. I generally do too, especially with regard to health and wellbeing and a few other random things I’ve wanted to do for myself, like write a blog a month and redecorating my home. And every year, I give up within the first couple of weeks into the new year as you swing back into your own rat race and lose track of time and sight of what you intended to do — for yourself. That was the old, fake world.

This year, however, has been months of continuous reflection, recharging and rethinking as all of us — including individuals, organizations and countries — have had to slow down, take a leap of faith, and adapt. It was tough at the start, especially the social distancing part, but there wasn’t much of a choice. Through these reflections and adapting to the drastic changes, one thing became more clear, at least for me. It’s forced me to focus on the things that matter in life and weed out everything and everyone unpleasant, negative, and unnecessary that dampens your spirit and drags you down. It’s taught us some important lessons in life and has prompted us all to look inward and become more authentic. It’s proved that you don’t need half the material things you’ve accumulated over the years and you pruning your inner circle to only keep those that positively influence you will make you a better person. You begin to realize that these resolutions too are a ‘thing’ which turn out to be a false promise you make to yourself without true commitment. We’ve all been forced to re-program and redesign our lives in a way that adds more value and depth, which in turn will help us to contribute more meaningfully to the organizations we serve and the communities we live in.

Whatever’s happened during the first half of your life was not within your control. There may have been ups and downs, bitter-sweet memories, happy and sad occasions, but those are things of the past. Everything you do and say in the second half of your life is a choice — be it who you want to be with for the rest of your life, the people who surround yourself with, what you eat, how you stay healthy, your career, among others. COVID-19 has given back valuable time for us to restore or reform ourselves. And most importantly, to stop lamenting the past and look positively toward the future by making smart choices that will keep you happy and content.

May 2021 bring you closer to your dreams and goals in life. Keep smiling, stay safe and be positive. Choose well!

“In the depths of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond; And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring. Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.” — Kahlil Gibran