The importance of turning a new page
January 15, 2011 Leave a Comment
For a while I did not understand the excitement surrounding New Year’s Eve.
As the countdown ends, people scream and hug and fireworks light up the jet-black skies. It is as if mankind managed to put a man on the sun, or something.
New Year's celebrations next to Eiffel Tower
There is hardly anything special about the New Year’s. Except, I remember, on the cusp of 1999 and 2000, when we wondered whether our computers would crash from the stress of figuring out what double-digit number comes after 99.
Today, I think I understand. People celebrate New Year’s because it gives them an opportunity to start with a blank page and write a brand new story. From the “beyond” of 2011, the problems and worries of 2010 seem far away. The worse seems to be over and in a strange way, you feel sheltered.
New Year’s is also a symbolic ritual to mark our resolve to make our lives better. To exercise, to travel, to read… And why not; because beginnings are known to bring bursts of enthusiasm and energy which help get the year rolling on a positive note.
But why wait until New Year’s to turn a new page? So many times, we just need to give that little push to the status quo in our lives in order to have happiness flowing in. Moving to a new city, quitting the job that makes you unhappy, ending unhealthy relationships…
I am about to finish my present internship/temp job of over a year. Although I know I will be sad to leave (I really like my job) and even if I don’t know where I’m going to end up yet, I’m excited.
You see, when I started the internship, I was a different person. Hardly out of school, with practically no worldly experience, I had a lot to learn. As I leave, I am much more confident, professional and self-aware. And yet, I know that in my present job I will have a tough time rubbing out the “intern” tag from people’s minds.
So I am glad to be able to go out and turn a new page.
Have you ever (intentionally or unintentionally) turned a page in your life? How did it feel like?
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