Grateful New Year!

While everyone was partying on the new year’s eve, wishing each other a Happy New Year, and making new year resolutions, one thought crossed my mind as I looked outside my window. More than any other feeling, I felt grateful; grateful for all the comforts and privileges I had. My car was heated, my home was heated, I was being ‘served’ hot food, I was wearing warm clothes, and I was celebrating with my family in a safe environment. What more can a person possibly ask for? This new year, my only thought is that of being thankful.

For every person celebrating, there is another one working. For instance, for all the new year parties that were being hosted, there were a huge number of people working as waiters, cooks, cleaners, bartenders, DJs, drivers, decorators, etc. And, not just them, police officers on the streets, soldiers on our borders, doctors in emergency wards, nurses, and security guards are all working late in the night just to ensure that ‘you’ and ‘I’ can celebrate the beginning of a new year safely and peacefully.

Some people can argue that it is the nature of their jobs which they have chosen for themselves. Well, it is true, but if no one chooses to do such jobs, you and I would be left cooking, serving, decorating, cleaning ourselves; perhaps, leaving no time or energy for partying. Also, the biggest factor is ‘money’. If money was not a factor or a ‘need’, many of these people would have been equally happy to party instead. All human beings have similar wants, but not everybody can afford them.

There is a new section of workers that has cropped up who have made our lives easier. They ensure we get food or any other item of our need at our doorstep on demand. Yes, I am referring to the delivery boys. We ordered some food late at night, and there was a delivery boy who drove his bike in this chilly weather (in north India) to ensure food was served fresh and hot. Who knows if he got time to eat his dinner or not, given the huge demand on new year’s eve? The least one can do for such people is to tip them well so that they too can celebrate in their own way when they get the time. And, if they arrive late, please do not complain. They are humans too.

What perturbs me the most about parties is the amount of food that is wasted afterwards. Not many people make sure they distribute leftover food to the poor who probably slept hungry the previous night. It takes some effort, but the pleasure of feeding the hungry is immeasurable. If you cannot do it yourself, you can inform some NGO dedicated to the task. There are many volunteers and NGOs that have dedicated themselves to the task of distributing leftover food to the poor the very next day of a party. It is very simple. You just have to call them. They will come to your doorstep, collect the food, pack it, and distribute themselves at no cost. Isn’t that amazing?

When I was in college and I used to come back from shopping, I used to tell my father the amount I spent that day. My father almost always used to say, “You just spent an amount equivalent to one’s month’s salary of n number of my employees.” Back then, I never understood this and found it very boring. However, now having spent a considerable amount of time earning money and understanding the economics of life, I appreciate what my father was teaching me. In no way am I trying to say one should not spend money when one has worked hard for earning it, all I am saying is one should be grateful for it. I am very grateful that I can spend a huge sum on a party that can probably feed a family for a month. Yes, it is very sad, but the least I can do is be grateful for having the ability to do it.

We, so-called white-collar workers, are so privileged that we not only want to party to welcome the new year but also need the next day off for taking rest. Aren’t we blessed?

Hope this article is not dampening your high spirits from the new year celebrations. My only objective is to draw attention to the fact that more than new year resolutions, it is important to see what we have. It is time to be thankful for the great year gone by and wish each other another year of health, wealth, and happiness. Above all, it is time to count our blessings! I am, and I am feeling blessed! Amen!

So, here’s wishing everyone not only a Happy New Year but a Grateful New Year!