Another year gone…

… and am I any more wiser?

Reflection is the key to growing. To developing. To maturing. To learning. To attaining knowledge and wisdom. It would probably be in our best interest to sit and reflect at the end of each day’s work. But, let’s face it, when you live a busy life sometimes that’s just not an option. So instead we’ve got birthdays. A pivotal day in the calendar year that is synonymous with getting older (although, I really do believe that age means nothing!) and growing more mature. Surely enough then, a birthday should at least be your once in a year opportunity to really sit down with yourself and assess your actions, achievements, mistakes and progress over the last 365 days (366 if its a leap year) and set yourself some goals for the next year ahead.

I try to follow this philosophy. How else will I learn, right?

Well this last year I’ve achieved a lot – things that I am proud of and will forever cherish and hold as crucial moments in my growth as a person. These things I know will shape me quite positively in my professional, social, spiritual and psychological development. However, in the same way, this past year is marred by some things that I am incredibly regretful and ashamed of. Things that only bring pain, hurt and disgust when I bring them to the forecourts of my mind’s inner thoughts. How could I have been so gullible? How could I have been so stupid? How could I have been so selfish? These are only a sample of the questions that bombard me. So reflection becomes a war of two worlds. A painful and confronting experience that sometimes I wish I never embarked on.

The conclusion is this, do not be blinded by your achievements and do not be blind to the underlying significance of your actions and of other’s (whether good or bad!). Do not be obsessed with success without seeing your faults and do not be obsessed with trivial or frivolous matters. And finally, do not be empty of goodness, love and peace – be filled with joy, meaning and purpose. And maybe then, in fact only then, will you reflect and see that you are indeed growing wiser.