My 2016 Bouquet - apricite.net

According to numerology, 2016 is 9 Universal Year as 2+0+1+6 is equal to 9. As 9 is the finishing number in a cycle, the numerologists believe it’s the year of completion.

You might think, I too am into numerology. You are wrong. I have never been one and might never be.

Anyhow, 2016 was a year of completion while beginning of something new, something bigger and better.

Over the last few days, tens of people I asked how 2016 was had rather similar responses. Some had rough time in certain parts of the year while some experienced life changing events. Similar responses I have been getting over the years.

Does it make any difference?

Figuratively, no. Contextually, yes.

It’s our mindset that defines our life experiences. It’s our attitude towards the events that shape our next move or moves. It’s the emotion we associate with people who inspire us. We usually struggle to accept some experiences, doubt ourselves and have trouble dealing with some people. We are devastated by things happen in the world, over the deaths of people we barely know and lose hope with changes that may not influence our life. We may question ourselves if we are the only being going through the mess. Do you hear the same question from within? If yes, take it easy. Many hear the same question in solitary, in crowd, in shower and even in bed.

Should we do something about it?

Yes, we should.

Do I have a million-dollar formula?

Honestly saying, there is not a single formula.

All I can say is take care of yourself and those around you in the least possible way. Show a gesture of kindness and compassion. Show an act of gratitude to others, an act of selflessness, respect and love. Maintain a ‘healthy’ relationship with your closest ones. This may add some pleasure and a lot of meaning in our lives.

This may sound dramatic or even unrealistic to some. I get it. Because we expect others to take the first step. But, it’s not a competition. It’s the principle or value that determine who we are as a community, as a class or an organization.

Some of you may ask: how was 2016 for me? Was I being kind to someone? Did I inspire someone? Did I maintain a healthy & lively relationship with people around me?

Honest to God, I do not know if someone was greatly inspired, found pleasure or comfort in my company, felt appreciated for any act. I never thought to measure my contribution and unsure if I will ever. But with sheer confidence, I can say, 2016 was yet another wonderful journey: made new friends, reconnected with old ones; explored few places and read few books – understandably due to Study + Work; learnt new skills and failed to continue few; starved during assignment season but fulfilled over completion; shed tears on every bad news & killings back in the country (God it seems endless); devastated over celebrity deaths and splits (Abdul Sattar Edhi, George Michael & Brangelina the most) but overwhelmed over Leo’s first Oscar; disappointed at Brexit while un-swayed over Trump’s victory; hardly played sports but enjoyed Olympics (thanks to Lee Chong Wei & Lin Dan). Overall, every day was different.

Here is a quick snapshot:

1. The best moment

Every time I went for jogging – re-energized!

2. Someone who made 2016 better

Everyone back at home and at work while many at University

3. Best experience

Most events I was associated with at University and GE but RISE Leadership Program (Leading Reverse Mentorship Session) was completely new and eye-opening experience

4. Best book

The Blink: The Power of Thinking without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell published in 2005. This surely is one of the books I would pick and read over and over.

5. Best movie

Watched 7 Hollywood movies in theater while 8 online; 5 Bollywood movies online; not a single Animated and documentary (which I did in past). But the movie which moved me deeply was an Iranian one. In fact, the only Iranian movie I watched this year. In 2008, I would pass by a very famous bridge (Pul-e Sokhta, English Translation as Burned Bridge) which is a safe-haven for tens of young to middle-aged drug addicts. It was hard to watch even a glimpse of them injecting the poison and killing themselves dose by dose every day. Then I met Laila Haidari in 2012 who runs a non-profit rehabilitation center for drug addicts and is called Madar (English Mother). I regained my hope that this country will prevail despite the adversaries my people have gone through. I even dedicated a blog to her which you can read here. Watch this amazing movie with realistic performances which will make you cackle as well. Disclaimer, grab some tissue papers if you related with similar stories.

6. Best song

It’s a tie between Justin Timberlake and Zayn Malik

7. Best TV/ Live Show

Let me confess, I have not watched a single episode of House of Card, the DC Legends etc and even failed to follow Walking Dead (being my favorite). But I did watch tens of Ted Talks from around the world and even attended TedxKL. But I did randomly YouTubed Graham Norton, Jimmy Kimmel and Ellen DeGeneres while most of the performances on America & Britain Got Talent

Here is one of the best Talks