New Year's Day

When I was in high school and U2 became my favorite band for a few years, I remember playing "New Years Day" from Under a Blood Red Sky (1983) really loud that morning. How fitting it was to blast that song and shout the lyrics. "Nothing changes on New Years Day..."
But this year for me something will change.

The experience I had at Sanskriti School in New Delhi has stretched my awareness and confounded my points of reference. Creating relationships with students, colleagues and neighbors in those three months caused me to recognize the ability I have to adapt to new people and a new place. I know that I can go anywhere, meet the people and find commonalities among us. It makes me wonder if all people had this opportunity we wouldn't quickly stereotype and eliminate people from our social groups just because of their differences. To take it a step further...wouldn't this simple concept bring the world much closer to knowing peace?

Damini, a student from IXG, and I have been in touch already. She mentioned how she'll miss just seeing me around and knowing she can say hi to me during the day. It's true that just being there, the presence of a person can make one's life richer. The people I met enriched my character. And verified the simple sentiment that one of our American presidents said: people will long forget what one has said or done but will always remember how you made them feel.

Love- that's what makes the world go round, right? That's all we need. Love conquers all.
The multi-faceted face of love kisses me everyday. To be loved and to love provides me with a mountain range of happiness.

My cousin Joelle got married last night. She fell in love three years ago beginning on New Year's Eve. She wore the same blue shoes to her wedding that she wore when she met Denny. Their first dance, choreographed and rehearsed, was to a sweet love song from "Moulin Rouge." It was romantic. And I stood on my chair to see them fill the dance floor with their newly sealed love. What a fun way to spend New Year's Eve-with my husband, my family and in a room swelling with love. For them, their life will change.

So as U2 rings out "I want to be with you, be with you, night and day..." they didn't realize that the changes that happen on New Year's may not be drastic and sudden, but that love seeps into people's lives and propels them to new dimensions.

May love and peace find everyone today, this year and always.

Music: "Shower the people" James Taylor- Greatest Hits