What did 2023 teach you?
It’s that time of the year when we are supposed to tell each other what we learned from the time gone by and how we aim to improvise in the following year. Of course, the pandemic has made us understand, very vividly, that there is no point in making plans in life. Plans have plans of their own. But yes, we can keep trying. As long as that last thread of hope is left in us, we are better off being optimistic. Negativity begets negativity and leaves us with a broken spirit. And there is nothing more tragic than a human giving up when it’s not their turn to give up.
Those who are expecting to read something gyanful in this post—I am sorry, I don’t have anything worthwhile to share. Time has been nebulous (mostly) and difficult (occasionally). All I know, for certain, is that love matters and kindness is the most important thing in the world. If you can’t be anything, try to love what you disdain. Once you learn how to do that, please let me know. Yet, it’s easier to be kind to others (first) and yourself (later).
As far as 2023 is concerned, my much-awaited book didn’t happen. I got distracted and then I digressed and then I stopped caring altogether. The first line of this magnum opus goes with a character nonchalantly spouting, “I am not suicidal but I know I am going to kill myself in the end.” Sometimes, I wonder who is this character based on. Sounds like something Jack Conrad from Babylon (2022) would say, or Rick Dalton from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) would at least think of doing. We’ll never. Perhaps this explains why I often wonder if there is such a thing as luck and curse and everything that falls in between.
Anyhow, prose can’t possibly go reach poetry effortlessly lounges at. So, there is no point dragging this year-ender a minute further.
I just want you to think of that one-armed Tibetan macaque who is taken care of by an old Chinese lady. They have been together for 15+ years and you can see it in the unspoken love that they have for each other. Of course, without kindness, it’s difficult to wrap our silly heads around such a bond. Still, one day, the old lady won’t return to cheer the little one up, and this brazen possibility is exactly how I feel about 2023. And all the years that had passed by me so far.
Have a good one ahead.
PS. I will always root for you.