2013: The upside of bad times

The end of the year is a naturally reflective time. Our society rightly makes a big deal out of this time of the year by celebrating in many ways the closing of the year. Schools close for a very long break. Clubs and groups have their breaking-up parties. For many companies it is the end of their financial year.

One cannot start anything this time of the year. People always say that nothing happens in December and January, wait until next year. It’s end-of-year party time! Things almost come to a standstill.

It is time to rest, take stock, to reflect. If you look back at your own year, how would you rate it?

The year 2013 has truly lived up to its name for me — it was an unlucky year for me, a bad year in more ways than one.

Personally and professionally I had major challenges to deal with over many months of 2013. Challenges which took me to unfamiliar territory and experiences I would never want to repeat. It took me to events and interactions with people that really ripped at my dignity and crushed my self-confidence. It was a lonely experience.

I felt like I was walking through a valley of darkness. I did fear evil, I feared it a lot. This was a bad year for me.

If ever I believed in the presence and help of God through our darkest moments, I believe it now more deeply because of my challenging experiences throughout this year.

The immense support I received from my daughters, my friends, family, colleagues, my parish community, and just from people from all over, carried me through and enabled me to deal with what I experienced. Their support enabled me to remember who I am and what I am about. I have deep gratitude for everyone who stood by me, encouraged me to do the right thing, and supported me.

And so I ask myself again: Was 2013 really a bad year for me?

If you come to the end of the year and you still have your life, your family, your friends, your dignity, your self-confidence, your integrity, memories to cherish, then you haven’t had a bad year. If you still believe in God, then you’ve had a good year, irrespective of personal and professional challenges, lost relationships, ill health, financial hardships, or any other tragedy that might have befallen you.

And this is worth celebrating. This is worth having an end-of-year party for.

I think 2013 was like this for many of us. There were challenges and difficulties, struggles and insecurities. But, for many of us too, I am sure, it brought beautiful experiences, excitement, blessings and appreciation of life. We know what we experienced and we know what we escaped.

And when we put the experiences of our year in perspective, we will almost certainly always journey ahead with gratitude.

If you are experiencing difficulties at this current moment, then draw strength from the words of the psalmist: “Weeping can endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning”, and soon we will be singing “Joy to the World!”.