sindre-almost

So alas a new year has been sprung upon us, for most of us this symbolizes a fresh start, new hope and new year resolutions. I find it strange that in the span of just one day people think that it is a “new” year. Technically it is the start of a new numerical year, instead of 2008 we now write 2009 on our cheques, calendar entries and so on. But apart from that I don’t think that we should suffer the elusion that we somehow can escape all the things done and said.

The difference from yesterday till today is no more that 24 hours, we will face the same problems, fears and joys tomorrow as we did yesterday, unless we do something to resolve them. The magic of new years eve is de-bunked, it is however a nice celebration of the year past, which is it’s intention I believe. However somehow new years resolutions came into play, promises that we make ourselves that this year I shall do this and that. The problem with this is that sometimes we set ourselves up for disappointment, or we set irrational goals. Someone once said that we aim above the mark so that we hit it, this might be true to some extent. But if we allow ourselves to set such a high goal or task that it discourages us from even attempting to try and reach it, it becomes counterproductive. Do this enough times and you will lose faith in your ability to change or accomplish the tasks you set before you. This is true of any aspirations you might hold.

You should never set a goal for yourself unless you wish so, a new years resolution is something that is somehow expected of you, so set a small one, one that can be accomplished in lets say a week, lets say “Next week I will have a beer with a friend.” This way you will have easily accomplished it and can move on to other tasks or goals you set for yourself, and do so at your own pace. Without the hassle of everyone wanting to know what your new years resolution was.

Today is christmas eve, which in most european countries implies that presents have been opened and scrutinized , for my part I can honestly say that the anticipation I had was not for the presents. It was for the food, and it did not disappoint me.

After a lavish meal, in which there was a fair few interruptions by my younger siblings, it was time for their big moment of the evening.. the opening of gifts. Now I did not have any great expectations for these presents as they are from relatives. The ones I look forward to, those from my friends are back in my apartment eagerly awaiting my return. 

Now after opening all the presents I have no less then 3 sets with shampoo and aftershave, two sets of towels and other assorted toiletries. As does my brother…. so either there is a consensus amongst relatives that me and my brother needs to shower more, or they went for the easy and fail-safe option. Nothing wrong with that, but…. as Tom Lehrer puts it “Sentiment will not endear it, what’s important is the price.” The thing is, I don’t mind these presents, but at some point when I have gotten the same thing 3,4,5,6 times in a row they might as well spend the money, energy and time in buying someone else a better present I really don’t mind. 

Now I still do enjoy christmas, but in this area I must say I think I have matured somewhat, I still watch the early morning cartoons and such, but the presents doesn’t give me the same thrill as it used to when I was a child. Maybe the shampoo has gone to my head ?