As 2015 Beckons: Resolutions or Restitution?

The year 2014 is winding down gradually, and in few hours, (depending on your time zone) a shout of “Happy New Year” will rent the air in every part of the world. There will be lots of celebrations, hugs, plenty of food, kisses, and of course a lot of people will make their New Year’s resolutions. Resolution is the act of resolving or determining upon an action, course of action, method, procedure, etc. But a New Year’s resolution as we know it is a secular tradition, in which a person makes a promise to do an act of self-improvement or something nice. For most of us, New Year’s Eve is a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It’s a time we reflect on the changes we need to make and resolve to follow through on those changes in the New Year. Some people make it a habit to write down their New Year’s resolutions on a piece of paper, and they tick it off as they accomplish them in the course of the year. Making resolutions helps you increase focus, gives you purpose, encourages you to dream big and think outside of the box, and makes your goals manageable and easy to accomplish. Some resolutions I have seen and heard some of my friends make include: Resolutions to eat healthy food, lose weight, exercise more, eat better, drink less alcohol, quit smoking, think positive, laugh more often, enjoy life, get out of debt, save money, make small investments, establish own business, learn something new (such as a foreign language or music), read more books, be more independent, watch less television, take a trip, settle down, get engaged/get married, have kids, pray more, be closer to God, be more spiritual. All these resolutions and more are good, they are important and when achieved, one’s life could improve drastically. But sometimes, as the year winds down and we step into a new one, what most of us need to do first before anything is restitution. Restitution could be legal or religious, but essentially it means reparation made by giving an equivalent or compensation for loss, damage, or injury caused; indemnification, or the restoration of property or rights previously taken away, conveyed, or surrendered; or restoration to the former or original state or position. Most times, it is not just about what we need to do better in the coming year, but about reflecting upon our actions and inactions over the year and both seek and offer forgiveness. Some of us in the course of doing business, loving people, leaving people, have caused more injury than we can ever imagine to someone else, and we have been injured and hurt as well by someone else; but some of us just pretend we don’t care, that everything is fine and alright. This time of the year is that time to look back and reflect on those things, reflect on those people and let them go, restore things to their original state, or set things right so that becoming a better person in the New Year would be easily achievable. It is a fresh year, you cannot afford to go into it with so much hurt, hatred, and prejudice for fellow human beings. Forgive your friends who have hurt you, forgive that ex who left you. I am not saying you should go back to them but let them go in your heart. It’s a New Year, as you seek new things, let go of the old ones. And if you know that you have cheated someone, hurt someone, and you truly felt/feel sorry for it, it’s a good time to seek forgiveness and make restitution if applicable. You can never tell, they might just be waiting for you to reach out. So try that in the New Year, let’s make love go round and not war. It’s also a new year for our country Nigeria, it’s another year when we choose a new set of leaders or return the same old ones. And whichever you are planning to do and whoever you are planning to vote for, remember that violence leads to a never ending cycle of destruction and distrust. Do not incite it, do not participate in it, and do not encourage it. And as you make your New Year’s resolutions, remember to think back and see where restitution is needed.  About the author: Chris Bamidele is a passionate and unapologetic Nigerian, who believes in God and humanity. He is a writer, blogger, and an aspiring Television Director; and an optimist to the core. He blogs at www.chrisbamidele.wordpress.com and tweets @Chrisbamidele.

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This article was first published on 30th December 2014 and updated on January 1st, 2015 at 9:44 am

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