A * NeW - nOuVeLLe - NuEvO - nEu * YEAR

A new year is at our threshold, in fact, it has entered it and we've already written a few lines into this clean, fresh slate which we erased on the final night of the year gone by. Two days into this year, and the human race has already achieved so much in so many walks of life. But, in terms of personal growth and achievements, it's for each of us to introspect and take care of those. We are, after all, sole sailors in the ships of our lives, which traverse vast oceans that are at times a picture of paradise and other times, just plain mighty mean whirlpools of vice generously buttered with a thick layer of the proverbial gray clouds (from the saying 'Every gray cloud has a silver lining').

Whoa, 6 years into the new millennium. It's so hard for me to believe we're actually living the future. Looking back over all the 18.10 years of my life, it's a great feeling to actually be living so long, knocking on wood. It's been such a journey. There's so much to learn, so much I have learnt, so much I'm learning with each passing day. I haven't really made any resolutions for this year, except mayhaps to learn more than I did earlier, which of course I will anyway, it's an involuntary process, I don't/can't control it.

A sense of wonder creeps into my brain cavity when I think about how Time flies by, I'm sure that we all do think about Time at some point of our lives, well, some of us more than others (hint! hint!). No matter how many times I talk/write about Time flying by, it just isn't enough, somehow, I'm beginning to realize that lately (for the past 3-4 years), I've gotten into the skin of an obsessive-compulsive patient. Everything I think about just occupies my mind and doesn't leave even if/when I want it to, some things just stick, and some things have just exited the doorway of my mind and I don't even realize it until I wake up one day or sometimes even never realize it. Getting back on track, Time...yes, it's truly a wonderous, magical I-don't-have-words-for-it sort of 'thing'. It's such an important component of the clock of my life, it's like the Life energy that runs through it, but parallel to me, constantly knocking me on my head to remind me of its presence. It is the imaginary friend I never had. It is woven into the strands of my DNA and we are inseparable and obsessed with each other.

As my obsession once again takes me over, I cannot help but look back at 2005 which seemed like one of the shortest years of my life, it seemed like it consisted of just a few days, all of which are nothing but grains in the sands of Time now, but are sharp engravings in the artwork of my mind, they will never leave me and I don't want them to, too.

Now, it's time to gaze into the crystal ball and try to look into the deep, murky waters of the future and see what the world is going to look like, whether Life is going to make sense or not - all at the same time next year. Personally, 2005, I think was a year I crossed over into a new life - a life of complete independence, which I began appreciating only towards the end of the year. The beginning of the year was one which helped me build a bridge of lovely friendships which will last me more than one lifetime. There's so much to 2005 that I can't really write about, but will just linger around me like molecules of some sweet garden scent.

One important lesson I've learnt over time is that each day must be lived one day at a time. I guess I learnt this a long time ago, but I guess, it's the perfect time to accept this challenge and try to live life just the way it's supposed to be lived. Correct me if I'm wrong!