One week of the year done already. Time is flying and the Buddhist saying, “The trouble is you think you have time” constantly pops up in my mind. I do not know about you but I do not want a repeat of last year, not because it was that terrible, but because I want different experiences now.

My aim for this year? To do things differently compared to last year. And I should be able to as one of the biggest sub-conscious stresses is over now. As soon as I realised that I would have to wait a year before I could study further some excitement gathered from this hidden place of dreams in me. This light started shining brightly as the realisation hit that I finally have time to do all the things I’ve been wanting to do. No more excuses. No more saying, “when I’m done studying, I’ll do XYZ.”

Goal List written.

Vision Board created.

I was looking forward to the New Year so much that I began early. I completed my vision board and began working towards two of my goals in December 2015 already. But I had to stop and give more time for reflection. I was in such a rush for 2015 to end that I typed my Thank You blog before the year was over and didn’t truly think about what I learnt.

Reflection time taken.

Surprise…surprise…this was it:

From all the learnings I had in 2015 this was the one that stood out for me: how I feel and show Love. Now, wait, before you think I’m some in-the-closet-romantic, it’s not necessarily only that kind of love.

Let me explain!…I walked into a conversation at work sometime in the year where individuals were discussing a book called the “The 5 Love Languages” and how they learnt a lot about themselves and those around them after completing a quiz. Curious, I completed the quiz (you can try it online) and discovered that the best way I feel loved is through acts of service.

Peaked your interest, haven’t I?

You’re probably thinking that I should know this already but I actually didn’t. My assumption was that everyone felt love the same way so I never really reflected much on it. It seems that some people prefer hearing it; feeling it; having quality time or receiving gifts. And mine? Help me clean the house. Yes, seriously. How un-romantic is that huh?

The odd thing is that there is a lot of truth in this – after some reflection I realised that from most of the relationships I have, the people I feel closest to are those I can openly help without there being a worry of being taken advantage of; where I feel like I’ve served in some way; either by listening (yes, some see this as a task); guiding through a problem; doing dishes (my sister-in-law can attest to this); or help in some way to brighten their day. And when someone does the same for me? Heaven.

Reflection concluded.

Now, I can move into 2016 properly. The reflections and gratitude for 2015 are complete and when I look at my vision board every morning I have peace of mind that I will have a year with new and wonderful experiences, especially since I understand the language I speak a lot more.