As the year 2017 begins, I can’t help but look back at the year 2016. The year that went by in a blink has been filled with lessons, exploring new facts about myself, meeting new people, and making new friends who I’m sure would stick around for a long time. In a glimpse, my year can be narrowed down in these highlights:

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” – Saint Augustine

2016 made me realize that traveling makes one explore more about oneself than anything/anyone else can ever do. Although I could not travel as much as I would have liked, the two places I traveled (Jaipur and Goa) made me realize my insatiable craving for adventure, observing different places and people, and the extent of my stubbornness. If I am traveling with you, you might not want to stop me from doing what I wanna do (Just saying 😉 ) Long story short, I love to travel and can’t wait to pack my bags as frequently as possible.

Only a few people would understand that beneath all my wise cracks and bitter remarks, I really mean well.

This came as a shock to me when my cousin took one of my funny remarks to his heart and instead of talking to me directly about it, went to my another cousin to discuss the same. This hurt me a lot, but I learned an important lesson that one has to watch their tongue at all times. However, there are a few people who are not blood-related to me but know me better than my own family. Somehow, I end up hurting them very often, still, they hold on to me. Hopefully, next year I’ll be able to implement the idea of holding my tongue for real. Less hurt, more joy!

“The only justice is to follow the sincere intuition of the soul, angry or gentle. Anger is just, and pity is just, but judgement is never just.” – D. H. Lawrence

One can never understand what other goes through without walking in their shoes. There are many moments when I have judged people for the things they did; however, when the time arrived, I chose to the exact same thing for one reason or another. It’s easier to judge others for the choices they make; however, easier thing is not always the right thing to do.

Ankita without a mission is a grenade ready to explode and take everyone down with her.

I have realized that if I am not indulged in a creative activity, I am not myself. That’s why, I have made a list of activities that I would like to learn in 2017: painting, ballroom dancing, swimming, and driving. Hopefully, I will be able to complete at least two of these by the end of the year 2017.

Not everything that people expect you to do is the right thing to do. One must use their own brains to figure out what works for them.

All said and done, I believe we are humans and therefore, we must try to be a better version of ourselves, every single day. I am hoping that I would become a better, less demanding, and a happier person.

P.S.  This post is in response to the Friday Reflections prompt – Reflect on 2016, the year gone by.