Hey everyone, guess what? It’s 2016 already. I suppose this post is ten days late but better late than never. I suppose each and everyone of you are trying to keep up with your new year’s resolution. I never really shared that sentiment because I always think resolutions are just another way to lend your life some purpose and motivation, and most often they last temporarily. This list that you chalked up at the beginning of the year serves as a reminder of the great potential you have. However, it also becomes a melancholic reflection when you realise the bullet points are the same as the ones written in the years before.

For me, one of these things was playing the guitar. I wrote about it in Strings and Keys about a year ago. I didn’t have any resolution regarding it. One day, I decided to just do it and I did. Over the course of the year, I had played with several friends and wrote six songs along the way. I’m glad I just did it. Upon further reflection, I realise writing down resolutions is not a bad thing as long as you’re realistic and practical about it. Another thing to add is be specific about them and that would also help as well. So here goes mine:

1. Learn musical theory and also learn how to read guitar tabs better
2. Read finish Life of Christ and Nicomachean Ethics
3. Keep up to date with happenings in the aerospace industry daily
4. Attend monthly aerospace industry meetings
5. Keep up to date with news around the world
6. Blog better by reading more thought provoking websites and opinionated columns (collaborating with others as well)
7. Attend monthly Theology on Tap sessions
8. Write music for praise and worship
9. Get a girlfriend

I’m sure there’s a lot more to it as well but these are the nine eight things I want to focus on. No seriously, I’m joking about number 9. I feel that 9 should be a by product of you learning to be selfless and loving others. Some of you may know that I have completed my tertiary education. Throughout my life, it feels as though I’m on a bicycle but with training wheels. Primary, secondary and tertiary education served as a map to success but it’s anything but. Most people stumble after tertiary education and I am no exception.

Every few years, I would question myself as to what I want to do in my life. After secondary school, I needed a year to find purpose and direction in my life. I did really well in Foundation Studies (equivalent of year 12) but somehow my life lacked substance and direction. Later on, it came in the form of the Catholic Asian Students’ Society. I may not be as talented as a lot of other people but for once in my life, my whole being had a purpose which is to serve the students at the university as best as I could. Along the way, it also made me realise how incomplete I am as person and that I am ultimately helpless on my own. I learned that my greatest strength is God and the people around me.

This year, as I try to secure a job, I want to remember what the past four years were. It was a time I enjoyed both my education and social circles immensely. I don’t want a day to go by where it was aimless and have no purpose. It’s also time to stop living in a bubble and realise the world is much larger than I am. Pope Francis speaks about this and said, “Every Christian is challenged, here and now ,to be actively engaged in evangelization; indeed, anyone who has truly experienced God’s saving love does not need much time or lengthy training to go out and proclaim that love” He goes on to say, “So what are we waiting for?”.

That’s why I wrote this post. I want to remind myself of these things I want to do. It is very easy to forget one’s purpose in life and hopefully, this is a stepping stone against procrastination and laziness.

Indeed, what are we waiting for?