<div class='bc_element' id='bc_element'1 style=' background:#FFFFFF;color:#000000;font-family:Verdana;width:auto;padding:5px;max-height:100%;'><span><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">Every New Year, we are encouraged to set resolutions—a practice rooted in the belief that January 1st is a clean slate, a chance to reinvent ourselves. This perspective aligns with the Western idea of time: linear, where events progress from past to future in a straight, forward moving line. However, Indian traditions offer a different lens to understand time—one that views it as cyclical, interconnected, and infinite.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">This unique understanding of time has profound implications for how we approach resolutions and personal growth.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br></span></p><p><b>The Cyclical Nature of Time</b></p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">In Indian traditions, time is not a straight arrow but a repeating cycle, much like the seasons. This concept is central to many Indian philosophies and practices, where time is divided into kalpas (epochs), yugas (ages), and the rhythms of day and night. It emphasizes that life, much like time, moves in patterns—creation, preservation, destruction, and renewal.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">What this teaches us is that every end is also a beginning. If we falter in our resolutions, it’s not the end of our journey. Instead, it’s a part of an ongoing process where we learn, adapt, and try again. This perspective offers us freedom from guilt or failure and replaces it with compassion and resilience.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br></span></p><p><b>The Balance of Effort and Acceptance&nbsp;&nbsp;</b></p><p><br></p><p>Indian traditions encourage balancing purushartha (human effort) with santosh (contentment). While resolutions often focus on achieving specific outcomes, this approach reminds us to put in our best effort without being overly attached to the results. The Bhagavad Gita encapsulates this wisdom:&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">"You have the right to work, but never to its fruits."&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p>Resolutions, then, are not about perfection but about consistent effort, knowing that success may come gradually. This mindset prevents burnout and allows us to align our goals with the rhythms of life.</p><p><br></p><p><b>Aligning Resolutions with Natural Cycles&nbsp;</b></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Many Indian festivals and practices are tied to the natural world, like Makar Sankranti, which marks the Sun’s northward journey and symbolizes progress and growth. Aligning our resolutions with these natural cycles can make them more sustainable and meaningful.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>For example:&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">&nbsp;-Makar Sankranti teaches us to focus on upward movement, whether in our careers, relationships, or personal habits.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>The rhythm of day and night reminds us to embrace rest as much as action, ensuring balance in our pursuits.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p><b>The Role of Self Reflection&nbsp;&nbsp;</b></p><p><br></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">Indian traditions place immense value on selfreflection, or atmavichara. Instead of rushing into resolutions, reflecting on where we stand and why we want to change helps set realistic and meaningful goals. This is echoed in practices like meditation and journaling, which allow for introspection before action.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>By examining the deeper "why" behind our resolutions, we ensure they align with our values, not just external expectations.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br></span></p><p><b>A Broader View of Success</b></p><p><br></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">In a linear view of time, success is seen as reaching a specific point—an endpoint. However, the cyclical view reminds us that growth is continuous. Even small progress contributes to the larger pattern of improvement.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>For example:&nbsp; If you aim to get healthier, each day of mindful eating or exercise is a success in itself, even if the overall goal feels far away. If you miss a step, it’s not a failure but a chance to begin again, like the Sun rises anew each day.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br></span></p><p><b>Embracing the Journey</b></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">Ultimately, Indian traditions remind us that life is not a race but a journey. Resolutions are not destinations; they are milestones in a broader path of selfdiscovery and growth.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>As we step into a new year, perhaps the best resolution we can make is to honor this journey—to embrace the cyclical nature of time, to reflect, adapt, and renew ourselves continually.&nbsp; In this way, we can approach the year ahead with a sense of purpose, compassion, and resilience, grounded in the timeless wisdom of Indian traditions.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><span></div>