HELLO 2017

It's been a couple of weeks now since the new year 2017 has dawned upon us. By now, the revelries have finally come to an end (for most of us), and it's business as usual once again. The year 2016 has long left us. All of us who have survived 2016 look forward to a better year this time around.

For me, the year 2016 seemed to have gone by really fast. On the personal front, 2016 was a roller-coaster year, with lots of ups and downs. The year, however, ended with a bang, what with yours truly being felicitated as one of the Star Performers at his workplace for the last quarter of 2016. I must admit that it feels great to be appreciated for your hard work; it raises your confidence by quite a few notches. However, it can also be a humbling experience to walk up the dais to receive your award, especially when you know that there are several other colleagues who might be much more deserving than you are.

The year 2016 had been a year of intense soul searching, self discovery and self actualization for me. Intense stress at work and otherwise led me to explore unknown facets of my personality and to push myself to pursue certain passions. Consequently, as 2016 inched closer towards the end, I managed to teach myself to play an old guitar that my sister once owned within a period of 2 months - proud to say that I surprised myself and my dear ones; so much so that my sister and brother-in-law gifted me a brand new guitar on my birthday on 9th January. I also took to Instagram with a vengeance, uploading some photographs that I considered worth sharing (you can find me on https://www.instagram.com/crdsouza/). Talking about 2017. apart from my birthday - which was a dull drab as it has historically been - the year has been amazing for me thus far (touch wood). I've made a whole lot of friends, both at and outside of work, regained a few lost friends, gained appreciation at the workplace and discovered a lot about myself, and I feel blessed.

Speaking about friends, they say that time and distance can never undo friendship. However, sometimes I think that is far from the truth. I've come to learn that 'out of sight is out of mind', especially in today's fast-paced age. As I say this, I am reminded of someone I knew. She was like a kid sister, and we shared a lot in common - thoughts, beliefs, hobbies & interests (blogging being one), tastes in music, love for reading, etc. However, when she moved out for a new job, we kinda lost touch. Yours truly tried his best to keep in touch through social media, but there was hardly any response. In a couple of months, I finally gave up. Ironically, she gave me a call last week, and initially I was thrilled to have received a call from her, but a few seconds into the conversation and I realized things were not the same anymore. I could not feel any connect - the conversation was extremely formal, devoid of any interest or enthusiasm, and strangely I found myself eager to end the conversation quickly. It was as if I was talking to a stranger. In hindsight, I wish I had held the conversation longer, but then again I think it wouldn't have helped. It's no one's fault - when we part ways with someone, we also cut away common experiences, thought processes, ideas, beliefs, and a sense of bonhomie and collaboration. It is very unlikely that two people who have parted ways will ever be on the same page emotionally, mentally or intellectually - unless they find a way to stay in touch.

It's a sad truth of life, and I dread the day I have to part ways with those whom I today count among my best friends.

Happy New Year to All of You.

Cheers,

CRD