It's the final quarter of the last day of 2015 and I just could not help thinking how fast the year had gone by.
Well, just like every single year, it is that same thought.
While everyone is hitting the road and leaving the office early, I would say the roads are just overflowing with the mass population on the last day of the year.
This must be the better days of work for the roads, for all its purpose.
Countdown parties and celebrations are buzzing everywhere, and everyone is just ready to usher in the new year, as with every year, with that loud and big bang.
It is the norm of course; everyone is always anticipating a good start and the starting point is always the best to make aspirations.
New beginnings are always auspicious and it is no wonder that everyone is just determined to start afresh in the best possible way.
As for me, I always take the time to ponder on my past year and of course, make my list of new resolutions; while checking if I have made my last resolutions.
Age has also perhaps made me more practical and realistic when it comes to making that list; well, lists, I do organize my resolutions into categories as well.
I'm not much of a partying girl, although I have nothing against parties.
I do think that it is really fun and exciting, to be all dressed up and scream your lungs out while counting down with the crowds; whether you're young or old.
I do that too, though not in crowd-filled places.
But honestly, the New Year is always a much looked forward affair for everyone, myself included though for me, it was not only on the upcoming year which is filled with the unknown, but also a time to look back and reflect on the year that has taken place.
The things I have done right, and the things I have done wrong.
The things that I could have done better, and the things that I should never do.
I am no saint; and I have had my ups and downs in life and even with the people around me.
2015 has been an interesting year indeed for me, personally.
It has been a roller coaster ride, in many aspects for me.
It has been a year of drastic change and even shocks and surprises.
Experiences have provided more than enough insights for me and it has been a great learning curve through it all; though I wouldn't say it has been easy.
There are times when I felt dejected; mulling over the sequence of events and even beating myself over it.
I'm just human, like every one of you out there.
I have times when I am just down and wondering about the existence of that light at the end of the tunnel.
It seemed like the dark tunnel is just too long, and dark.
I could be cheerful and positive, but that doesn't mean I don't have my days.
I've had my hits and my misses in the year 2015, but in all the good and bad, I took my time to get over them and even squint into the microscopic mode to understand the silver linings beneath it all.
I always believed that things happen for a reason, even though it is still difficult at the time of occurrence.
However, life is full of tests.
If we always lived our lives smoothly, we would never realize the value of its worth because we have never seen the rough patch.
How would we know the value of light, if we had never seen the terror of darkness?
How would we know the value of comfort, if we had never been comforted?
How would we know the value of happiness, if we had never cried?
How would we know the value of existence, if we had never lost?
It is all about looking at the different side of the coin.
There are always two sides.
I have gained and lost at the same time, and I am pretty sure everyone has been through the same path, in their very own ways.
2015 is indeed an eye-opening journey for me, but I have learnt a lot from all the experiences and am still on that curve of learning and on making changes.
It is not about making resolutions alone; but rather in making sure that the resolutions stick around and also in maintaining that to oneself.
2015 has been a year of...
A Series of Unfortunate Events and Mishaps - Perhaps I have started the year with major sickness which lasted until even the Lunar New Year, but it is like a string of events one after another.
From accidents to personal healing, it has been a painful experience.
It was even hard to talk about it, but I was thankful for the people who were around and stood by me silently, just being there even when I was not willing to talk.
They were the invisible shoulders I cried on quietly, though not in person.
Lost Friendships - I have probably realized that there are some relationships which could not be repaired or do not even need clarification.
Friends who chose not to connect or keep in touch, and even those who chose to just slip by quietly without notification. I would have been upset in the past, but honestly, I have learnt to just let go.
There is no one to blame; perhaps myself, I may not have been the best person to be a friend, but it is always one's choice and I just have to respect that. Sometimes it may not be a grudge or on purpose, it is just that our ways have parted and we have all gone on different paths. It is just the circle of life.
What matters is not what is lost, but what was experienced before and the memories in the making that is most important.
It is more important to have cared/loved and lost, than to have never before.
An old adage, but still applicable as a timeless classic which I strongly believed in.
As for those who just disappeared without a word with the convenience of social media, it is also a choice and I deeply regret for my doing in making them choose that path to just leave without a word, but I really do not hold grudges.
Fallen off the Path - I have wandered off the path for a while; seemingly lost and even neglected those that matters most.
Just like a lost sheep, I have chosen a path on my own.
I was lost but then I found my way back.
Just like that prodigal child.
I have realized the beauty of constant and everlasting love and how it is just an undying flame. I am thankful for that candle burning in my life, always.
Bold Change - I have made a bold decision this year; well, a few actually, but there are the major ones and there are the minor ones.
It was something I have done before, but just like a moment of deja vu, it just hit me that I have to make the decision and that, I did.
I am not all knowing, in that I have already planned everything (yes, surprising that I have made rash decisions and not have a systematic plan, based on my list-making and surefire character), but there are times that calls for a decision on the spot.
I have decided to do just that.
At the same time, I have headed on a new and different route which I am still in the process of working it out.
Nothing is definite; even the universe is rumored to be infinite, so we will see.
Go with the Flow - A far cry from my usual planning style, I have learnt to just accept spontaneity once in a while and even embrace that boldness.
It is okay to not know what is going to happen next once in a while, and not having to plan everything in advance.
Learning to Let Go - I have learnt to slowly accept and even let go of things that no longer matter, and that was never meant to be.
I am still a far way behind from truly letting go of everything like those in the pursuit of life's greater meaning, but there are just so much one can take at a time and I am learning to take each of them slowly.
Not everyone will like what I do, nor can I prevent people from hating me. It is part of life.
Just like the yin and yang; there will always be love and hatred.
After all, it is where love truly prevails when we have that bitter taste of hatred.
I just need to let go of having to care about everything and thinking that everything can be within control. Just refer to going with the flow.
Finding and Creating myself - Life is not just about finding myself, but really, it is all about creating and making that best possible version of myself. It is about what I really want to do and who I really want to be.
Find that passion and voice and just follow it. Sometimes letting myself get lost could also be a good way of finding that right path.
Learning from the Bad and Making the Good - Bad things are inevitable; as I have learnt through the many unexpected and unforeseen incidences which have touched me over the year. I have cried and despaired over the consequences, but they are the invisible lessons which have insinuated and hinted at the things I needed to focus on.
Not everything that is negative and painful are all bad; and not everything that is beautiful are all good. A scratch or wound could hurt and unpleasant to look at, but they make me more cautious and to avoid those jutting rocks and corners the next time.
If I had never fallen down, I would lived my life believing that nothing could ever harm me.
I have even learnt to laugh at myself and my own mistakes, rather than just moping over it.
If crying doesn't undo the spilled milk, then why cry?
Laughing makes me feel a little better, and sometimes even passers by could even catch on the laughing bug and laugh along.
The world suddenly seems a lot better when everyone laughs, doesn't it?
There are probably a lot more I could list down, but I did not want to rant on and on when everyone is in the cheerful mood of festivities.
2015 is fast coming to an end, and while it has appeared to be a challenging one for me, I am thankful that it has happened and it has made me realize the deeper meaning of gratitude even more, on a different level and in depth this time.
And, that is exactly how I would want to start my new year 2016 with.
2016 will be about...
Gratitude - To be always thankful for everything and for all that I have.
Learning to appreciate things around me, and not because others do not have.
Being thankful for even the bad along with the good, and for whatever that comes my way.
I would even look forward to doing my part from my little corner of the world.
Focus - Paying attention to the little things in life and the people who matter most.
Spending more time on the things that I cared about and on taking a more serious note on my passion and in pursuit of the things I have always wanted to do.
Putting more effort and making sure things work, not in a rush but rather, in that polished manner.
Taking One Baby Step at a Time - Life is not about rushing through but rather, in taking the time to relish each moment at a time. Take the time to smell the roses, as they say.
I'm always for speed, but once in a while, I'm going to make sure I slow down and just take the time to enjoy it.
Creating Myself - Do meaningful things not just for myself, but most of all, for the greater world. Spend time to understand myself, look in the mirror and be that person I really want to see or meet around the world.
Most of all, like everyone else, the brand New Year is all about CHANGE.
I look forward to making changes and already I have so many ideas in my mind.
As usual, but I am going to learn not to rush them through but rather, do my proper planning.
It is not all about the success; but rather it is the process.
It is an important lesson which seems so cliched, but it is something I have been taught over and over again by life.
My blog will continue to be my avenue to share my stories and my life, and unlike the past year, I am not going to be making more aspirations on posting every day or crap like that.
I am going to making slow changes to my blog, that's for sure, but I want to focus more on depth and quality and to really connect on a better level rather than just posting.
So, to the rest of my friends out there, here's to a wonderful closing of the year 2015 and thanks for still sticking around with me and to even join me on the next chapter in 2016.
May you enjoy the beautiful moments of countdown, partying or even if you're just spending time with your loved ones at home or in solitude, here's to a great year it was and to the great year it is to come.
May your New Year be filled with an abundance of blessings of all things good, happiness and may success be with everything you do!
May 2016 be a Fruitful One, just the way you would want it to be!
It is all in your mind and heart, but most of all, it is just there in your hands.
We can't see the year 2016, but we can definitely make it happen the way we want; well, at least our efforts do count.
Make it the best year so that you could look at it and give yourself a big pat on the head at this same time, at the end of the year 2016.
Most of all, my same old words again, Enjoy everything and the journey even if you have to laugh and cry along with it.
Create memories for yourself, and for the world and make sure they are good, for even generations to cherish.
So Long 2015 and Cheers to the New 2016 and all the goodness it brings!
HAPPY MARVELOUS 2016 everyone!
(Pssst...Put on your dancing shoes and let's dance our way to the New Year!)
*Author's Note:
This is not a sponsored/promotional post, and solely based on author's personal opinions and do not represent the general public.
Experiences vary from one individual to another.
You do not have to agree with me.
You do not have to agree with me.
Art Direction and Photography Styling by Me.
Photos/Videos all belong to me and are copyrighted.
Please kindly ask for permission if you need to use any of my images.
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