A New Year, A New Start

It seems almost like a little time-honored tradition now since I had been doing this almost every year. After the dust have settled, the noise dies down and almost everyone is in bed, I sit in my room with my journal open and try to reflect on the year that was gone.

So, here is my journal entry for 1st January 2007:

Last year have been a very eventful year for me. Last year, I joined 2 organizations and I’m glad I did. Along the way, I met really great friends. Last year, I was stupid (and I still am). I was hungry for knowledge (and I still am). Last year, I made a couple lot of mistakes I’m not proud of. Last year, I made several important decisions for myself. And made decisions and actions that I will be proud of for the rest of my life. Last year, I learned both the meaning of success and failure the hard way. Last year is lost forever and I have this year to do better. I have this year to improve where I screwed up last year.

Contrary to what everyone does, I do not make lists on what I promise (or wish) to do every new year. I do not do that because, like what I used to say when I was in high school, I do not make (or in this case write down) promises that I cannot (or have no plan) to keep. The promises are better left unsaid because actions, indeed, speak louder than words. Instead, I give myself, and others, something that can inspire me to start the year (and get through it).

I cannot only hope for a better year because hoping alone is not enough. There is no better year because it is only us who can make it better. I heard Dean Brillates once saying that in order for NCPAG students “to be good administrators, [they] should possess three characteristics. [They] should be angry, [they] should be frustrated but at the same time [they] must do their share by being part of the solution.” I think it goes the same with everything in life. We can make it better.

You cannot merely wish things to happen, you have to make it happen. My father once told me, “go out there, don’t be afraid, face your fears and look towards your goals.” You don’t sit around and wait for your goals to come because, then, they never will.

Let us all make this year better. In our own little ways. If, together, we believe long enough and hard enough, miracles can still happen.