The Snowflake Chronicles

Naw-Ruz

Naw-Ruz means New Day; it is the Baha’i New Year. It is when I set my goals for the coming year. I say goals because I do not make resolutions for the New Year (at least not any more). One achieves goals by creating steps toward the final accomplishment, resolutions on the other hand are things I need to day, but probably will not achieve. This year I am starting a new phase of my life, I am more confident and have a better outlook.

I have begun working towards my Masters degree again. I have changed both degree programs and colleges. The last time I attempted this I let the stress in my life affect my grades; the grades fell below an acceptable level. This time I feel more confident and as if I am doing God’s will. True I have “butterflies” in my stomach, but I do not feel the same dread this time as I did the last time I attempted to get my Masters degree. I am looking forward to getting a better, more interesting job.

I am looking forward to the coming year with more joy and confidences then I have ever looked forward to anything. I still need to do a lot of work on myself, myself talk and my fears, but that will come. As long as I bring myself to account each day and determine how I can make tomorrow better than today I am making some progress. I know that I have a long way to go on my journey to my true self, but (as I said before) I am getting there.

Therefore, what am I (should I say do I want to) going to accomplish between Naw-Ruz 163 B.E. and Naw-Ruz 164 B.E. First, get my masters degree. Second, complete books 3, 4 and 6 in the Ruhi course (I have completed books 1, 2 and 7). Third, become a published author of something other than poems in an anthology. Fourth, pay off my bills and be debt free. I think those are large and specific enough that I can create steps to achieve them. In addition, they cover both spiritual goals and material goals. The other thing I am going to work on is a One Hundred Things I Want to Do before I Die list. I am working on a novel (or is it novella) for an anthology and I have a novel that need a bit of rewriting (the end needs changing completely). I have a faith book started and this coming year I should have some interesting things to put in it. I think that is all for now, if that is too much to achieve in 365, well then I made a good attempt.

(19 Ala 162 B.E.)