Goodbye 2008, welcome 2009

On the last day of the passing year, everyone starts to get into contemplative mode. Everyone starts looking forward to the New Year with high hopes. I too am no different.


2008 for me was a mixed year. I won some, I lost some.


On the career front I took an important decision to change my job. A decision prompted by frustration but one taken with lot of patience. Quitting a job that helped me learn, make friends not just at the place of work but also in the US was not an easy one. There were few who thought that it was not a wise decision on my part to do so. However, I simply followed my heart. Today when I look back and reflect, I discover that my decision was right. Today my job demands much more responsibility, lot more interaction with customers, trouble-shooting and I get a sense of achievement at the end of each working day.


On the personal front, things did not start of well. The very first month of the year made me go through some emotional turmoil but then I got over it. Sometimes things are not the way it seems to be. I learned it the hard way. This year I also realized that friends will change and you got to be ready to deal with this change. Friends who had time for you on a daily basis will get so busy that they will not be able to keep in touch with you. We got to be ready for this change. Be ready to let go. Those who really care will stick around. It does not matter how many friends you have but how many of them are there for you when it matters?


2008 was a troublesome year for the world economy and Indian economy was not immune to the global meltdown. Many lost jobs and many lost their life’s savings in stock markets. We Indians traditionally believe in saving for the future. Those who stuck to this traditional belief could cushion the blow of the drastic economic conditions. The ones who tried to live their life on the edge were the hardest hit.


Terrorism is one issue that was in the news throughout the year. Bomb blasts rocked major cities of our country. The biggest and most daring of all terrorist attacks was the 26th November to 29th November attack on Mumbai. The Mumbai terrorist attack cost us very dearly both in terms of financial loss and loss of life but the after effects of the attack has been really positive. We saw the youth of the country come out in large numbers to condemn the attack and to awaken the politicians of this country. I am sure people of this country will now be more vocal on issues affecting them.

2009, what to expect?

Will it be better than 2008? Will it fulfill all our dreams?


I personally feel that things will only get better. I see 2009 as the year that will set the ball rolling. The hard lessons we learnt in 2008 will help us make wise decisions for the future.