Positive Reinforcement

I need to stop thinking of myself in terms like 'Hitchhiker' and 'Drifter', and veering towards pix that show unending paths with nothing on the horizon, however pretty, arty, or picturesque they look. It seems to be a reflection of my state of mind. "Going boldly nowhere". I must have an attainable goal(s), to reach at the end of this seemingly neverending journey I've embarked upon without my knowledge.

Enough drifting and floating. Time to take stock. And act.

I need to rediscover myself. One way to do this is to revisit the things I loved and enjoyed doing. Via Music, Books, Movies. Also find ways to spend more time outdoors. Have turned into a cave person or a mouse burrowing myself into deeper holes within.

More importantly, I need to remind myself to look ahead and forward. Don't need to wrack brains for idols--a teenage crush on a band and a godfather-less superstar are easy to remember and spot and remind.

• Take baby steps
• 10 mins a day is all it takes to inculcate a good habit
• 10 mins a day = 10 mins of freedom
• Stop multitasking. Focus on one thing at a time
• Mantras for 2008: I am my own best friend and Let it begin with me.

Stop existing, Start Living!

Need to Sweat This Not So Small Stuff

• Read up on spirituality--books and websites. Starting with all-time fave--Snacks for the Soul.
• Arrange bookshelves and begin reading from my own collection.
• 10 minutes at a time--exercise. Just toe touching and eventually placing palms flat on the ground, skipping on the terrace, climbing the stairs, a walk around the block is a great start. And eventually build to an hour a day even if in bursts of 10 mins at a time.
• (W)ring out the old, (b)ring in the new. Tailor new clothes, give away old ones, and get fit enough to wear the fabulous ones I already own. Goonj needs fabric, and I need closet space. Enough said.
• Holiday with family and friends and myself.
• Tick off all health check ups on list before it snowballs into a regular event. Priority are the dentist, eye check up, back/neck/shoulder Xrays, thyroid, and ear test.
• Fill it, shut it, and forget it is an ad line that's stuck in my head and its become a motto I've been subconsciously following to my own detriment. Must read up on my old posts and often to remind myself of the paths my mind has traversed in the past.

Naya Saal, Naya Patta

Quite a coincidence that the symbol/logo of this blog is that of a leaf, albeit yellow. Even that could be viewed as symbolic. Gaining color with age and hopefully, some wisdom.

The calendar says 'Turn over a new leaf this year' and 'Apni aadaton ka patta palte'.

How fitting for the new year although whenever I've kept any resolutions, they've been broken almost as soon as they were even thought of.

Rebelling against the rules and the world has only put me up alone on the other side. Guess lessons have to be learnt the hard way or not at all.

Luckily, with the new year, comes a new hope, so atleast there's a reason to try and feel like you want to change for the better.

Inshallah, I will achieve atleast 50% of my aims even if my efforts are half-baked. Its truly now or never--physically, mentally, emotionally.