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🌈 1291 – Tuesday, 31 December 2024 23:07

London

Curled up in bed with a warm cup of tea and a drink by my side. Outside, the wind howled under a yellow weather warning, adding to the sense of quiet reflection. I debated whether to text my dad to wish him a Happy New Year. A simple message like, “Best wishes for the new year, and may our family have good health,” felt appropriate, but I wasn’t sure due to dear mother’s health this year.

As the final minutes of the year ticked by, my mate sat next to me, weighing whether to head to a friend’s party across town. We stayed where we were, music playing softly in the background, soaking in the moment. When “Shut Up and Dance with Me” came on, it lightened the mood.

At 11:35 PM, the calm broke with a knock at the door. A moment later, the sound of keys turning signalled the arrival of the landlord’s friends- a group of cousins he had mentioned might come to see the fireworks. The flat quickly filled with energy. There was one woman, three girls, and three boys, plus my flatmate, my mate, and me. It was no longer a quiet evening.

Together, we all bundled up in our jumpers and headed outside to watch the fireworks. Despite the cold, the London 2025 fireworks were nothing short of spectacular. For 12 dazzling minutes, the sky was alive with more than 12,000 fireworks and 420 lights. It was the largest annual display in Europe, and standing there among the crowd, I couldn’t help but feel connected to something bigger.

As the fireworks illuminated the night, I reflected on the passing of time. The new year, universally acknowledged as a fresh start, symbolized a chance to learn from the past and move forward with renewed hope and purpose.

Reflections for the Year

In the quiet of the evening, surrounded by loved ones, I realized that life is an unpredictable adventure. Each day brings new experiences, and the past year has taught me valuable lessons that will shape what I choose to value in the year ahead.

• Be honest. Truth simplifies life.

• Spend more time with family; they’re irreplaceable.

• Show consideration to others. Kindness matters.

• Forgive and forget quickly. Holding on only holds you back.

• Listen more; talk less. True connection comes from understanding.

• Let go of relationships that drain you. Protect your peace.

• Treasure true friends; they’re life’s greatest gift.

• Spend money wisely and cut back on eating out.

• Be grateful for what you have and avoid unnecessary complaints.

• Stay organized by making to-do lists.

• Reduce time spent on social media; reclaim your time.

• Don’t overthink. Trust yourself.

• Use positive language; it shapes your reality.

• Pray and meditate to find inner peace.

Later at night, my siblings responded warmly to my earlier texts, and I felt grateful for the people I’d spent the year with – friends, family, and my flatmate. Standing among them as the fireworks lit the sky, I whispered a prayer for the new year:

I prayed for hope, love, and peace – for everyone around the world. For Ukraine, the Middle East, and all places in conflict. Humanity should treat animals with compassion and value openness in all forms.

The new year felt like a clean slate, a time to move forward with gratitude and purpose, embracing whatever lay ahead.

Happy New Year 2025! A time to share love, peace, and comfort with all living beings.

Three things I felt grateful for today:

• Grateful for my parents and all they’ve done for me.
• Thankful for supermarkets and everyone involved in making food accessible to us.
• Appreciative of the systems that allow us to live and thrive together in this shared space.

What would it take for me and for you to wake up 10 times more aligned and focused towards this year’s goals?

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Goodnight, Good luck!

Ash Khaleem