Here are my wishes for you in  this coming 2068 Bikram Sambat (Nepali year).

I hope in 2068, you will steal more. Steal more time for yourself to reflect, pause and to try to understand why you are here, what makes you happy.

I hope in 2068, you will break some rules. Break the norms set by others, the society, the mobs or the lizard brain who tell you what you should do and should not. Follow your inner conscience. May this be your moral compass.

I hope in 2068, you will pick a few fights. Fight against “small”  injustices that you see around everyday (maybe on your way to work). Fight to enforce that nagging traffic rule problem that you hated, perhaps (in your city).

I hope in 2068, you will be garlanded with shoes or hit with tomatoes. Dare to do something disruptive, that scares the people who cling to status quo or to dogma. Let them humiliate you since they are scared that you are going to win. These are just desperate measures.  Know that when they seek to humiliate you as such, you are closest to winning.

I hope in 2068, you will contemplate death regularly. To accept every day that you are eventually going to die,  makes you realize what your true priorities in life are. What would you prioritize, if  you only had a month more?

I hope in 2068, you will sell your house and your couch and travel! Our dependence on our material belongings in life has handicapped us. With this money, have the guts to go round the world with some one you care about. Take the year off. I hear, PhD’s on life are often learned on such journeys. After all that’s the only PhD worth caring about, isn’t it ? Mastering life.

I hope in 2068, you will go hungry and become wealthy. Show your will by simply getting back in shape or resolve go on a hunger strike for a worthy cause. Your health is your wealth. And your community’s health is also your wealth.

I hope in 2068, you will spend most of your savings. What for? For a new business or a venture, you finally decided to start. Help create jobs. Show the rest of the industry a better way to solve problems. Or decide to help organize a movement that will break cartels, segregation or corruption.

I hope in 2068, you splash all your (dirty-raw) thoughts into a blog or a diary for the world to see. Show the world your unique beauty with all your imperfections. Those who mind don’t matter, Those who matter, don’t mind.

I hope in 2068, you will decide to leave a big dent in the environment you live in. Isn’t your life worth leaving a footprint before you leave for ever? Ask yourself what sort of legacy are you leaving to your children. Change this environment before it scars you and your future.

I hope in 2068, you will die. Die the life you had led so far, following some one else’s way. And be re-born with the life you wanted to lead in your own way.

I hope, now you will steal some of these thoughts to share them with your near and dear ones.

All the best,
Ujwal