Showing posts with label new year. Show all posts
New is Always Better 2.0
In my first year here in VANITY I wrote a blog about the advantages of newness, may it be technology, traditions or just plain new ideologies in life. However, that blog was too general. So for this New Year, I am writing about few specific changes that have made my life better since I’ve moved here in Canada.
I guess the first thing that has changed in me is being
quieter. Though any people that know me well will say otherwise, I think that
I’ve gotten quieter. Usually, I will be the one who keeps a conversation from
dying, because dear God I can’t stand awkward silence, but now, I seem to be
quite comfortable with it. It gives me peace. Quite antisocial though. I also have
a problem of not thinking before talking which often gets me into icky
situations even though I did not mean any offense or make myself look stupid,
and so being quiet just saves me from this. Being quieter also taught me how to
listen. You
know that moment when a friend tells you something and you tell him/her
something the same from your experiences and you ended up shifting the tide of
conversation and you feel like you are not “empathising” anymore and you just
look like a big ball of narcissism? (or at least, that’s how I feel) Welp,
being quiet once again saves me from doing this. Like I said, as someone who is
talkative and uncomfortable of awkward silences, being quiet has finally given
me the opportunity to just shut up and realize that not
talking isn’t the worst thing in the world and just to drink in what others are
saying and being observant is probably one of the greatest pleasures
that one should experience.
New things in our life can always be seen in a different angle. Sometimes they can be “bumps”, but as I have previously said, try to see the silver lining. New is always better. .. better in some ways we haven’t seen yet!
- Anonymeh
“Change the changeable, accept the unchangeable, and remove yourself
from the unacceptable” - Denis Waitley
The Now Year
It’s almost the end of year 2014, which means it’s the season for New Year resolutions again. Have you ever set a goal and achieved it? If yes, then good for you (but still read on)! If no, then keep reading. A lot of us would probably say, “oh I will try my best to lose some weight,” or “I will stop drinking soda,” or “I will stop procrastinating” and the list goes on. But do we follow through? We set resolutions in the New Year to change our lives for the better. That’s good, right? But hold on, why do we have to wait for the end of the year? Why not start now?
I’d like to introduce to you what
I call “The Now Year.” Start now, (yes, NOW) and when the new year comes,
you’re already ahead of yourself! No more waiting for January 1st to
sign up for that gym membership- start midway December before all the Holiday
parties (and all the eating) start!
With this new idea introduced, it
brings afloat the topic of “living in the moment,” where one lives life to the
fullest now, whilst not worrying much about yesterday and tomorrow. Now is
important because that is where you are now. Now is where you can make things
happen! So if you want to change something in your life (like what you would
say in a New Year’s resolution), you can’t do it yesterday. You can do it
tomorrow, but why wait? Do it now, in the NOW Year!
So let’s change
tradition. Instead of saying “Happy New Year,” be grateful for what is now and
say “Happy Now Year!” Be reminded that
the next year is still tomorrow, and what matters most is the present. Be in the moment! Live in it!
Aside: It’s
interesting how changing one letter can significantly alter the definition of a
phrase. It takes one small thing to change a big thing. Do you ever think about
that too, how our little good deeds result in bigger rewards? That could be a
good Now Year’s resolution: do more good in the community!
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a
gift. That is why it is called the ‘present.’” –Shifu, Kung Fu Panda
Live in the moment
(yes, that means now),
- Jose
The Month of Firsts
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| New Year: Fireworks and Resolutions |
I know it’s late for a New Year's resolution post, but I
purposely waited for January to be over (totally not because I’m behind my
schedule) before I made this post.
Anyhow, let me just put out the fact that I’m a very
superstitious person. With all my beliefs including feng shui and astronomy, one can claim that I treat January as a big deal. I call it: the month of firsts.
This entails me trying to do everything in the most amazing
way possible so it will be amazing all throughout the coming year. Sounds crazy
isn’t it? Or is it actually confusing? Okay then let me elaborate: if, for example, I
make a coffee and realize that it will be my first coffee of the year, I’ll say
to myself “hey it’s my first coffee of
the year. Better make it special”
I know it sounds childish or crazy...or CRAZY in all caps,
but I have this preposterous theory that every first activity/chore in the
first month shall be done wisely. If it is done horribly, then it’ll be
horrible the whole year.
Why am I writing about this? Is it because I don’t have any
idea for our January post? ‘Course not (seriously, no.) I’m doing this
because... I want us to see the
beauty of firsts.
Now that January is over, I have realized how silly I’d
been. I spent the whole month trying to do things nicely; Getting frustrated
when they come out wrong. I’ve wasted the opportunity to actually live in the
moment.
This does not only apply to new beginnings; it is actually
applicable to everything. Presentations, we get so nervous on how are we going
to look like that we forgot we’re actually there to present; Family events, we
keep on asking where everyone is then forgetting about the people who actually
showed up.
Main point is, look deeper. Experience deeper. Think deeper
and Live deeper. Let’s not get caught up
with superficiality. Most of us think we’re not doing this, but in fact, human
vanity is normal. It’s just that we get too much divulged into it. So maybe
this year, we can stop fumbling on getting worried about how things are going
to turn out. Instead, we can start savouring the journey!
CHAU!
- anonymeh
“Do or do not,
there is no try” – Yoda
2014 Projects and Goals
Since we are only 19 days into the year, there is still time for you and me to set some year-round goals and try out some year-round projects! If you are looking for some fun year-round challenges to do this 2014, I have listed some of my favourite ones below. This is a customized list intended to assist new immigrant youths in their adjustment to their new environment here in Canada.
1) Reading Goal: 24 Books In A Year
Books are excellent friends. They're those people at the party who are as weird (and cool) as you. Reading 24 books in one year may seem like a daunting task, but it is actually not. That requires you to read only two books per month! My advice? Choose books that you know you'll love! Visit Goodreads to see what other people think of books that you want to read. By doing this challenge, you will not only undergo an enjoyable experience of life lessons and roller-coaster emotions; you will also greatly improve your English skills! If you do not know where to start, check out this list to help you choose what you want to read first.
2) 52 Week Money Challenge
If one of your New Year's resolutions is to save money, then try this! Each week, you have to save an amount of money that is equal to the number of that week. For example, during the first week, you save $1; in the second week, you save $2; for the third week, you save $3, and so on. If you do this until the last week of the year, you will save almost $1400! However, do this only if you can actually afford to save money. Do not starve yourself just to accomplish this task. I suggest doing this challenge if you spend a lot on the things that you don't need.
3) Photo Challenge: Photo-A-Day
Take one photo every day until the end of the year. I'm sure you have a device that can take pictures (it can be your handycam, polaroid, tablet, or even just your cellphone), so why not try to document your life this year by taking at least one photo every day? You can even upload your photos to Instagram or whatever social media platform you'd like!
4) Movie Challenge: One Movie A Week
For me, this is not really a challenge; it is a hobby! But if you're a new immigrant and want to improve your English, watching at least one English movie each week will definitely help you develop your English skills. Watching movies can make your English listening skill stronger. It can also help you pick up some English phrases/expressions that are commonly used by English speakers every day. Pro-tip: Try to find a movie that shows subtitles. You will enjoy the movie more this way, trust me.
5) Goal: Get involved!
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| Source |
When I moved to Canada, I initially did not know anyone aside from my close family members and relatives. First week of school was hard because I hardly had any friends. Fortunately, I joined clubs which allowed me to meet lots of friends and meet people who share the same interest as me! So this year, I am challenging you to:
- Join at least one club at school
- Join at least another one outside of school
- Volunteer!
6) Challenge: Keep a blog or a journal in English
Writing your feelings down will not only help you relive your favourite moments, it will also stimulate your creativity and memory. Also, if you do it in English, you will learn to improve your grammar, widen your vocabulary, and discover your own writing style.
There you have it! We still have 345 days before 2014 ends; you still have 346 days to try and accomplish these goals before the year ends. You do not have to do all of it. Do what you think will benefit you the most!
Hope 2014 treats you well!
Sean
