Happy New 'Day'!

 

No matter what he did, Ved just couldn’t ignore the excited chirping of the birds outside. He put his pillow over his ears trying to zone out but the birds were making too much of a din.

Frustrated, he woke up and sat on his knees over his bed, gazing outside morosely.

It was a beautiful day. Although there was a slight nip in the air, the sun seemed to shine brighter. The birds were more active today. Probably because the sun was making its presence felt after a really long, dark and cold winter.

Ideally, Ved should have been up by dawn. It was after all the first day of the new year. He had made some resolutions, caught up in the spirit of the new year. One of the resolutions was to wake up an hour early and devote some time for physical and mental wellness. He had planned to do some stretching exercises and read some motivational books to start the day and the year as well on a positive note.

But last night’s party had continued well past over midnight. By the time he came to his home it was 2 in the morning.

He felt groggy and exhausted, instead of feeling fresh.

He heard a gentle knock on the door before Thatha opened it. “Good morning and a very happy new year to you, my child!”

Thatha sounded way too chipper for Ved’s mood. He mumbled something that sounded like ‘New Year’.

Thatha smiled. “Now what is the problem? It is the first day of a brand new year, and instead of being cheerful and energetic, you sound very grumpy and look dull! What’s bothering you this fine morning?”

“That’s the whole issue, Thatha.” Ved said in dismay. “I was supposed to start a new habit on the first day of the new year. I was supposed to wake early today. Instead, I seem to have slept past 8! How am I supposed to follow up with the rest of my resolutions if I fail on the very first day?”

Thatha cleared his throat. Ved groaned. He was not in the mood for a quote.

Thatha went on undeterred. "Begin at once to live, and count each separate day as a separate life." He looked at Ved questioningly.

The kid sighed. “Seneca’s letter.” Although he didn’t completely understand the teachings of the wise sage, Thatha read him out some excerpts from Seneca’s works from time to time and explained them to him in a way that was both easy and appealing.

“Every day can be the beginning of a new life. Why does it have to be just the first day of the new year? You can make most of the present moment by living it fully, rather than wasting it on regrets and disappointments. You missed one ritual, that’s okay. You have the whole day ahead. Get on with it, and live every day as if it were a brand new beginning. Keep no space for regrets.”

Ved smiled, already feeling better. “So, about today’s missed ritual of waking up early…”

“You cannot do anything about it now. But you cannot dally over this and waste the whole day. Don’t let that be an excuse to not to follow through the next day. Live today well and tomorrow will take care of itself. Now, what other resolution have you made?”

Ved scooted over to the table beside his bed and took out his diary. He eagerly skimmed through the list. “I need to write for half-n-hour every day to improve my handwriting.”

“Well  then, what are you waiting for?” Thatha playfully and gently swiped at his cheek. Laughing in joy, Ved jumped out of the bed, all set to face another day and keep up with the rest of his resolutions. As Thatha rightly said, one missed ritual didn't mean the end of all resolutions. There was after all the rest of the day and the hope of tomorrow where he would do better.