All the lights, banners and jubilation around me in this specific time of reveals the advent of a new year. People are excitedly waiting for the clock to tick to flip the page and open a new one. They are ready with new clothes, fresh wishes and promising attitude. However, not all of them are acting the same way. Faces are not giving me the same impression. I look around observing and pondering. I can clearly see three groups around me. All of us stand on the threshold of the upcoming future days and months.

          The first group, stands upright; with a big smile not to be missed. This happy group had a splendid year and they wish the following to be as prosperous and peaceful as the past. They stand side by side with a long to-do-list overwhelmed by hope to continue what they already started the few past months. They have seen nothing but goodness so they expect nothing other than this. Their glossary of the past years was only full of positive words and happy endings.

          The second, stands with a bent posture and sad eyes. A gloomy face reveals a long story of hardships and suffer. One can tell how heavy and hard the past year had been on this group. Their eyes are still wet with tears and their sight echoes all over the place. They lost dear ones and experienced failure in many occasions. They wish they could delete it from their records. Scenes of war, destruction and injustice are deeply engraved in their hearts forever. Nothing will retrieve their beloved ones and nothing will undo the agony. The feeling of helplessness and weakness dominates their lives and fill their hearts with bitterness. All the waters of the seas will never wash the sorrow this past year brought to them. They spoke tears rather than words.

          The third part stands restless with an uncertain smile. A weird expression appears on their faces. One cannot admit if they are happy or sad; content or not, willing to proceed in life or rather withdraw. This group is in on crossroads. They have seen both sad and happy memories. The past days were a bliss and a curse. Uncertain feelings dominate the present. A vague mix of feelings prevail. They are torn between happiness and sadness, disappointment and satisfaction; content and resentment.

In all cases, whether it was a good or bad year; its days are gone for ever. Those days were one day unseen future and now they are certain past. The coming days are going to pass exactly in the same pattern. All three groups and definitely all of us have nothing but to look forward to the coming year. We have to get the best out of it. A sad face or reluctant stance won’t change anything as does the smile. What will be will be and we cannot control it. However, we can control our actions and reactions. Be positive and wish well you will eventually get good one way or another! They say “You are what you eat,” and I add” You get what you think”. Happy new days and moments!