Helloooo 2016!
Goodness me, am I late to the party or am I late LOL! 4 whole days since we’ve recovered from the fireworks, bubbly and eager new year resolutions. But there’s a reason behind my tardiness. Yeah, I couldn’t get up the energy or time to do a 2015 Year in Review post, nor was I up to posting anything for 1 Jan as I usually do. Some days, you just have to roll with the punches, and do what you feel is right.
Today feels right.
That’s because, for me, today is what I’d call the “First day of the rest of my life”. Today is the day that changes put in place in the old year take effect. Will I weather the storm? Time will tell.
But I wanted to share also a way of thinking that I’m adopting, that you might find useful, going forward.
I often hear the advice – “Live today like it’s the last day of your life”. It’s often given in a YOLO (You Only Live Once) motivation manner. Go out there, seize the day. Carpe Diem! What if you die tomorrow?
But I got to thinking about it, and you know what? I don’t want to live like today’s the last day of my life. That’s silly, to be honest. It puts you in a doomsday state of mind and can result in some really silly consequences. What if I went out and bought the most extravagant thing I have my eye on, only to have to live in debt the rest of my life? What if I did something stupid by telling someone off, who needs telling, only to have to keep looking over my shoulder for the rest of my life because they’re demented? I don’t want that, and neither do you. Yes, do what you want because you want it, but understand that every action has a reaction. Some of them good, some bad. 40 years has taught me that’s not how I want to go.
Instead, I decided I’d flip things around. I’d live today like it was the FIRST day of the rest of my life. I live, with the knowledge and confidence that what I do today, will stand me in good stead in the coming days, months and maybe years. What I do today, will have an effect on how the days and months will unfold, and if I want things to go positively, I have to make a positive start TODAY.
So, I’m seizing the day. I’m carpe-ing the heck out of the diem, because I have a whole life ahead, that can be lived! The question is, how do I want to live it? In sullen, wallowing self-pity, eating myself up with bitterness inside corrupting everyone I come into contact with? Or with an open heart, and a positive mindset.
I can’t forgive. That’s beyond me at this time. But I can pick up those raw, hurt feelings from the past years, wrap them in ribbon and tuck them into the deepest corner of my Mind Palace, to take away some of the pain.
So, today forth, I’m telling myself that I’ll do the things I’ve wanted to do. I’ll do something new. I’ll learn a new skill. I’ll set up a new routine. I’ll do something for me, that I can learn and grow from. I’ll take my chances and roll with the punches. Above all, I’ll live looking straight ahead with optimism and hope, for today is just the first day of the rest of MY life.
Besides, looking back has given me a right crick in the neck! 😛
If you too are facing challenges (we all do, in our own way) perhaps this new mantra of mine will help you as well. Look forward, that’s where the future is 🙂
Whatever happens this 2016, my hope is that you get to the places you want to go. It may not involve a passport. It may just be a peaceful or happy state of mind. But forge on forward and may today be the start of the first day of YOUR life too 🙂
Happy New Year 2016, friends 🙂
xoxo
Paris B
nicole says
January 4, 2016 at 9:14 amHappy New Year Paris! Blessed, fruitful year ahead!
Paris B says
January 5, 2016 at 4:16 pmThank you Nicole! Wishing you a wonderful 2016 ahead too!
Tine says
January 4, 2016 at 9:23 amThere’s this saying “don’t look back. You’re not going that way”. So onwards and upwards! Have a kick-ass 2016!
PS: Your title was a line our minister told Tim and I at our wedding 😛
Paris B says
January 5, 2016 at 4:17 pmOoh I’m as wise as your minister? hehe… Thanks Tine for the reminder – indeed. Forwards, onwards and upwards! 😀 Happy new year!
Jenn says
January 4, 2016 at 9:26 amHappy New Year Paris! This is an excellent reminder, thanks so much! It brings such hope and meaning to know that what i’m doing today will directly affect the future – you get back what you put in (almost always anyway). I really need to get working on my goals instead of waiting for it to happen!
Hope this year will be a better one for you!!! <3
Paris B says
January 5, 2016 at 4:18 pmHelloooo Jenn! There you are 😀 Yes, a little effort will go a long way. I’m doing my best. Things have been rough, but hey, I suppose it’s what forces us to grow 🙂 Happy New Year!
JackieA says
January 4, 2016 at 9:59 amWhat a great way to start the year PB! My mantra this year is not to live in the shadow of others, worrying what they would think of the decisions that I make. So, yeah, going to live life on my terms and if MY happy place pisses someone else off, then so be it! I want to thank you for sharing your struggles and I am glad to know that you have found the strength to forge on. Here’s to a year filled with good things and great joy…..hugs from me to you sistah!
Paris B says
January 5, 2016 at 4:20 pmThank you JackieA and you know what? You’re right. We can’t please everyone so ultimately, we have to watch out for ourselves. I’m thankful I’ve found an outlet where I can share how I feel, while learning from others all at the same time. Few of us have this opportunity 🙂 Happy New Year and I wish you all the very best 2016 has to offer! Hugs 🙂
Swati Murti says
January 4, 2016 at 1:56 pmhaha! that was nice, Paris 🙂 absolutely love the philosophy! positivity is something which I have to work on as well.
Paris B says
January 5, 2016 at 4:21 pmI think we all have to work on that – it’s not easy being positive, when there’s so much more out there waiting to drag us down. I hope you surmount it all and have a wonderful year, Swati! 🙂
Peiqing says
January 4, 2016 at 7:58 pmWonderful New Year!
I am glad you still have 1 post coming up.
Yup, today is the beginning of anything possible!
Paris B says
January 5, 2016 at 4:21 pmIndeed, today is the start of something wonderful, everyday! 🙂 Happy new year, Peiqing. Thanks for your support! 😀
Lily says
January 4, 2016 at 10:39 pmHappy new year PB! Whatever that’s been kicking your butt… well, you’re killing it with your positivity! That’s such a beautiful way to put it – today is the first day of the rest of your life. My resolutions are more about how I want to live too 🙂 Thanks for sharing and I hope all the negativity you’ve experienced will never happen again. Here’s to a bright 2016!
Paris B says
January 5, 2016 at 4:33 pmHappy new year Lily! Kicked the butt-kicker LOL! Well, kinda but here’s to looking ahead – it’s the only way we’re all going 🙂 Hope you have a fab year ahead!
Tubbs says
January 5, 2016 at 4:39 amAll the best as you work your way through whatever it is. And tea and biscuits. (I’m British and this means you believe there is no problem that cannot be solved or helped by liberal applications of tea).
Paris B says
January 5, 2016 at 4:34 pmAh I miss England! While never much of a tea drinker, I can and will accept copious amounts of tea, with lemon, no sugar or milk, please 😉 Happy new year Tubbs!
Victoria Shanti says
January 5, 2016 at 9:26 amHappy New Year my dear. I first heard the title of your blog from an ex-boyfriend of mine almost 10 years ago. LOL. Hope this year will be a better one for you. Still trying to figure out what could have gone wrong with your job? Me just being kepoh. Hahaha.
Paris B says
January 5, 2016 at 4:36 pmOops, sorry to bring back the (bad?) memories 😛 I hope it will be a better year too, and actually there’s nothing wrong. I just “shifted job scopes and location” so I’m still in there, doing the same thing just in a slightly different capacity 😉 Nothing too sinister, I promise 😀 Happy new year Victoria!
Yu Ming says
January 6, 2016 at 7:45 amHappy New Year, Paris! May the new year bring much hope and blessings your way. And all the best working through whatever’s been troubling you. Great to see how optimistic you are though!
The reality of 2016 hasn’t kicked in for me yet cos I’m still on holiday. Will be till the end of the 3rd week of January. I do think I should take some time off and think about what and how I want 2016 to be like while on my daily walks here in Melbourne 🙂
Cheers!
Paris B says
January 6, 2016 at 2:28 pmHappy new year to you too Yu Ming! I’m trying – optimism doesn’t come easy to this sceptic, but I decided I had to try because the alternative would be to drift around in a fog of depression, with a huge thundercloud overhead 😀 Oh I can’t believe you’re still on holiday! Lucky you haha! Enjoy Melbourne. It looks like it’s really hot down there!
Efrain says
January 6, 2016 at 10:10 amI’ve just realized I’m two days late to this post but it’s what happens when you live in the other side of the world.
I really liked your post and for me it’s a kick start for me, I had to refuse to study abroad because the lack of money (I was accepted but without scholarship) so I’m now thinking of working in the US at a summer camp but at the end the thing is being open to opportunities.
So yes this and everyday is the first day of our lives.
Paris B says
January 6, 2016 at 2:32 pmAww, never late Efrain! The year is still young, and I’m always, ALWAYS amazed at where everyone is coming from! I mean, what’s the odds of me meeting a new friend (albeit online) from Mexico, you tell me! 😀 Aww sorry to hear you had to give up your opportunity to study abroad, but glad to know that you’re looking at options, for going abroad anyway and in the case of working, even earning a bit of money! Good job, and I hope you do it – it’ll be a wonderful opportunity either way!
Fathin says
January 14, 2016 at 11:54 pmHappy New Year 2016! I even much later than your four days to wish this, already fortnight in the new year LOL
I like that idea of thinking today is my first day but I also like the idea of enjoying life to fullest! So, not going to get headache choosing either; I’ll choose to do the best because of myself not for anyone else and to improve myself to be the best of myself not to compete with others 😀
Oh, I also need to start chanting “I’m Beautiful” 100x daily – it’s still hard for me to believe that I’m beautiful inside or outside when I feel that I’m more like The Beast in Beauty & The Beast, haha.
Paris B says
January 20, 2016 at 9:14 amHappy new year Fathin, and that’s a good mantra to chant to yourself. I think that often, we’re our own worst enemies and think the worst of ourselves. Time to make that change this year – after all, the Beast ended up being a beauty in the end 😉