1. Have an Interesting Snippet to Share : Click Here
    Dismiss Notice

New Year Eve: A Different Perspective

Discussion in 'Snippets of Life (Non-Fiction)' started by GeetaKashyap, Jan 1, 2019.

  1. GeetaKashyap

    GeetaKashyap IL Hall of Fame

    Messages:
    3,921
    Likes Received:
    9,220
    Trophy Points:
    460
    Gender:
    Female
    [​IMG]

    New Year is the time of day at which a new calendar year begins and the calendar's year count increments by one.

    Many cultures celebrate the event in some manner[1] and the 1st day of January is often marked as a national holiday.

    In the Gregorian calendar, the most widely used calendar system today, New Year occurs on January 1 (New Year's Day). This was also the case both in the Roman calendar (at least after about 713 BC) and in the Julian calendar that succeeded it.

    Other calendars have been used historically in different parts of the world; some calendars count years numerically, while others do not.

    During the Middle Ages in western Europe, while the Julian calendar was still in use, authorities moved New Year's Day, depending upon locale, to one of several other days, including March 1, March 25, Easter, September 1, and December 25. Beginning in 1582, the adoptions of the Gregorian calendar and changes to the Old Style and New Style dates meant the various local dates for New Year's Day changed to using one fixed date, January 1.

    The widespread official adoption of the Gregorian calendar and marking January 1 as the beginning of a new year is almost global now. Regional or local use of other calendars continues, along with the cultural and religious practices that accompany them. (New Year - Wikipedia)
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    Just a thought:

    My intention is not to dampen your mood; I am just trying to understand the New Year Eve from another perspective.:)


    Celebrating the calendar year is popular all over the world. I wonder how different is the first of January from any other day on the calendar when everything around us remains more or less the same? So also, our persona, relations, jobs, niggling issues, mental conflicts…everything else remain as they were in the previous year ending on the 31st December. Then how is the excitement on the 1st January justified? Is it really about new hopes or aspirations, or are these celebrations a part of some nefarious commercial scheme to entice people to let their hair down and blow up their hard earned money?


    We celebrate the New Year eve even when we know that there is nothing new about it; every calendar year begins with some dreams and aspirations, and it ends with some satisfaction and too much of dissatisfaction for most people! I can't understand the logic, the brouhaha and the enthusiasm behind celebrating the New Year eve, year after year, unmindful of our personal losses or gains.


    The New Year begins as per one’s own belief or convenience. While the calendar year begins on the 1st of January with celebrations, the fiscal year begins on the 1st of April with a lot of hard work that entails the closing of accounts! Ugadi/ Yugadi/ Gudipadwa/ Puthandu/ Baisakhi/ Bihu/ Vishu/ Cheti Chand….herald the New Year for the different communities of Hindus, on different days, in the months March and April; basically, these festivals symbolize the end of winter and the beginning of the pleasant spring. It also coincides with the Rabi crop harvest in India; thus it is simply a time to celebrate our abundance! The Gujaratis being primarily into trade consider Diwali as the New Year, which is when they close old account books and after the Laxmi pujan, they open the new account books; again it is a celebration of the financial gains of the previous year! We also have many religious beliefs that coax us to celebrate these days. The Chinese New Year is again a Spring festival. Thus these festivals do make some sense and justify celebrations!


    I think the celebrations on the New Year eve would make more sense if it changed us either externally or internally. Wouldn’t it have made sense if it helped us shed our old skin and get a new one (wrinkle free or acne free;)), shed some weight,:banana: shed our old persona,:sunglasses: get a little healthier:D or even become wiser:innocent:? Just imagine how exciting it would be if we magically undergo a process of renewal and become our improved selves on the New Year eve! :angel: I think such transformations would justify our excitement regarding the New Year eve. Unfortunately, no such miracles happen on the1st of January.:eek: Most of us remain the same with our unrealistic New Year resolutions which are meant to be broken or be allowed to die a natural death and sadly, those failed resolutions return to haunt us in the last week of December!:rage::grinning-smiley-048:


    Instead, wouldn’t it make more sense if we consider celebrating the New Year whenever we overcome an old undesirable habit, pick up a new skill or a positive attitude? As that is when the real new beginnings begin and justify our excitement!:partyhat::beer-toast1:

    Your opinions, please.:grinning:



    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

    The GIF has been taken from the Wikipedia page for representation only.
     
    Last edited: Jan 1, 2019
    Viswamitra, Gauri03, Amica and 11 others like this.
    Loading...

  2. iyerviji

    iyerviji Finest Post Winner

    Messages:
    34,587
    Likes Received:
    28,749
    Trophy Points:
    640
    Gender:
    Female
    Good post Geetha dear. I agree with your last paragraph. New year Eve celebration s have become less now.Earlier I used to enjoy listening to programmes in Zee TV etc but now in retired life watch only Sun TV . They have programs on New year.

    My daughter was here for a week and left yesterday . Her daughter wanted cake so she bought and made her cut. They left yesterday afternoon.Morning had gone for 80th birthday in Temple.

    Was happy that this year New year has come on Tuesday,so could go to the temple, did archana to Ganeshji ,so was a good start this .year.

    Earlier everyone used to phone in New year day and send greetings but now WhatsApp messages. Everything is changing day by day. All ate busy and have no time for family. Youngsters have no problem as they have no time to think because of their hectic schedule. Senior citizens miss the love and affection but there are some who take time for their family and make them happy.

    Wish you and your family a very happy New year.
     
    Sinant, Thyagarajan and GeetaKashyap like this.
  3. Anusha2917

    Anusha2917 IL Hall of Fame

    Messages:
    2,575
    Likes Received:
    7,022
    Trophy Points:
    408
    Gender:
    Female
    I had the same question a couple of days back. Like if we see as per Hindu calender our new year begins in the month of April as you said during the onset of spring. Then I went back to think is it spring on January 1st in most countries where new year is celebrated on Jan 1st or is it the harvest time or something significant happening .No it's not. Not even the beginning of a new season. Like its the midst of winter in some countries and other seasons which various countries are experiencing as per their geographical position.
    But nevertheless it's a new beginning in our minds at least like for a few hours we feel it's the new year and instead of writing 2018 I would be making 2019 .
    Whatever may be the logic in choosing Jan 1st as new year I am not sure.
    Just another day where people remember us and remind us to remember them by sending a whatsapp message ;) Those who want to party have a reason to party and be with their near and dear ones . About resolutions some do and I stopped it long back because the added pressure of not breaking those resolutions. :D
    As you said nothing significantly changes from previous year . But a new day is always a new hope no matter if it's December 31st or January 1st. :)
    A very happy new year 2019 ..
     
    Thyagarajan and GeetaKashyap like this.
  4. jayasala42

    jayasala42 IL Hall of Fame

    Messages:
    5,365
    Likes Received:
    10,561
    Trophy Points:
    438
    Gender:
    Female
    Reminded of my article in Indian Express 'When we are fooled everyday by some one or other, why should we celebrate Apr 1 as Apr Fool's Day?"
    As you say that when there is actual transformation for betterment ,the celebration would be justified. But that can never happen to everyone simultaneously.

    Even to the same person, what is the guarantee that the change for the better will be constant and permanent?

    As Shri Cheeniya has said'Somebody remarked where is the difficulty in leaving the habit of smoking? I have left it hundreds of times'.
    Human mind is susceptible for fluctuations. At least on New Years's day every one at least in his/her thoughts wants to be good and kind.
    We pray that the thought is realised into words and deeds.
    The uniformity in good thinking seems to be the significance of New Year.
    Exceptions are always there.Some terrorists may
    even plan for destructive activities.
    Uniform change for all good is an etopian ideal that can never be realised at all.
    jayasala 42
     
    Thyagarajan and GeetaKashyap like this.
  5. satchitananda

    satchitananda IL Hall of Fame

    Messages:
    17,880
    Likes Received:
    25,953
    Trophy Points:
    590
    Gender:
    Female


    Yes, Geeta, something has changed inside of me at the stroke of midnight last night. I suddenly dislike butter, ghee, sweets, any food that qualifies as tasty ...... :grin: So yes, I am celebrating New Year!!! :roflmao:
     
    Amica, Thyagarajan, shravs3 and 4 others like this.
  6. GeetaKashyap

    GeetaKashyap IL Hall of Fame

    Messages:
    3,921
    Likes Received:
    9,220
    Trophy Points:
    460
    Gender:
    Female
    Thank you, Vijima for the first feedback.

    I am glad you had a peaceful day starting with Ganeshji's archana. I wish you and maama, a very happy and healthy new year.
     
    Thyagarajan and iyerviji like this.
  7. GeetaKashyap

    GeetaKashyap IL Hall of Fame

    Messages:
    3,921
    Likes Received:
    9,220
    Trophy Points:
    460
    Gender:
    Female
    Thanks, dear, for the interesting feedback.

    In youth, life is all about enjoying and absorbing new experiences and also exploring one's potential and facing challenges. But as we grow to middle age and beyond, many fads lose meaning and many things do not matter any more. Yesterday, my son went to a party, we stayed back home and I ended up deseeding peas! Wasn't it a great way of starting a New year!:roflmao: Somewhere along the process of liberating the tender peas from their imprisoning shells, these thoughts cropped up.

    My article doesn't have any lofty ideas of changing society or its widely accepted practices. It was a bit of introspection+some creative wishes for a utopic society.

    Have a great year ahead!:thumbup:
     
    Last edited: Jan 1, 2019
    periamma, Thyagarajan and Anusha2917 like this.
  8. GeetaKashyap

    GeetaKashyap IL Hall of Fame

    Messages:
    3,921
    Likes Received:
    9,220
    Trophy Points:
    460
    Gender:
    Female
    Thanks a lot for your feedback, mam.

    You are very right. I will copy, paste what I wrote in my reply to @Anusha2917, 'My article doesn't have any lofty ideas of changing society or its widely accepted practices. It was a bit of introspection+some creative wishes for a utopic society.'

    Have a healthy, peaceful and a happy year ahead!:thumbup:
     
    Last edited: Jan 1, 2019
  9. GeetaKashyap

    GeetaKashyap IL Hall of Fame

    Messages:
    3,921
    Likes Received:
    9,220
    Trophy Points:
    460
    Gender:
    Female
    Satchi,

    What a transformational resolution in the middle of the night! You will definitely make mother Earth happy! Hope I can also develop some determination; I desperately need it to liberate all the roly-poly seeds from their imprisoning pods!

    Have a creatively satisfying year ahead!:thumbup:
     
    satchitananda and Thyagarajan like this.
  10. GeetaKashyap

    GeetaKashyap IL Hall of Fame

    Messages:
    3,921
    Likes Received:
    9,220
    Trophy Points:
    460
    Gender:
    Female
    Thank you for the likes, @sindmani and @kveena.

    Have a wonderful year ahead!:thumbup:
     

Share This Page