Amma's Message for the New Year 2003

[Guest guest]

Darling Children,

 

Even as we hear the words "New Year," we are filled with a heightened sense

of freshness, enthusiasm and expectation. In Malayalam, the word "year" also

means "rain." Like spring rains, a New Year ushers in a cool and refreshing

feeling. For the growing, the New Year presents the flowers of hope, and for

the grown, the fruits of responsibilities. Human beings always dream of the

good days to come. Such dreams give colour and fragrance to life, even amidst

sorrows. We should never abandon such optimism and faith.

 

 

The New Year is an opportunity for new beginnings. It is an auspicious time

to overcome all sorrowful memories and take a step towards a better life. It

is an occasion to learn lessons from the past, and in that light, to bring

about changes to our life and lifestyle.

 

Life is like a garden. Quite naturally, leaves wither and flowers fade. Only

if we clear the decay of the past then and there can we really enjoy the

beauty of the new leaves and flowers. Likewise, we must clear the murkiness

of past bad experiences from our minds. Life is remembrance in forgetfulness.

Forgive what ought to be forgiven; forget what ought to be forgotten. Let us

embrace life with renewed vigour.

 

Actually, every day and every minute of our lives should be filled with

newness, not just the New Year. We should be able to face every moment of

life with renewed expectation, like a freshly blossomed flower.

 

The New Year reminds us of the flow of time. We can regain anything else that

we lose. But we can never regain lost time. As such, New Year is not just an

occasion to forget oneself in merrymaking; it is an occasion to awaken one's

discrimination. Only in a world where celebration goes hand in hand with

values will peace and happiness prevail. Children, you should live every

moment with alertness and discrimination. Life is both a giving and taking.

If we are ready to take less and give more, we can cut asunder the chains of

karma through karma itself.

 

Love is life's most precious asset. That is what fills life constantly with

newness. Children, you should remember, not just on New Year's day but every

moment, that what make our lives blessed are love, unity and kinship.

 

Mata Amritanandamayi Math, Amritapuri, India