TIME rolls on, as we kiss the Old Year goodbye and embrace the New Year; God have bless each one of us and given us another opportunity this year to enable us to strive for the better, as we take stock of our lives and set goals and make resolutions for the period ahead, I wish to make a special appeal to you.

Today man is. Tomorrow he is not. Therefore avail yourself of this golden opportunity, struggle hard and reach your goal in life. Make the best use of every moment of this New Year. Here is a chance to begin life anew, to grow and evolve and become a better human being. Know the value of time. Time is precious. Utilize every second wisely. Live every moment of your life to the fullest and for the realization of your goal. Do not procrastinate. That ‘tomorrow” will come, now or never. Kill the enemies within you and abandon idle gossiping, kill egoism, and laziness. Forget the past. A glorious and brilliant future is awaiting you.

Many years ago, on a flight from Europe to New York , I read in a book the following quote: “We pass this way but once. Therefore any good we can do, any kindness and compassion we can show to any human being, do it now. Do not defer or neglect it, for we shall not pass this way again.”

Today, I wish to send this same message to you and to urge you to not allow your lives to recede into ordinariness, but, instead, to use the beginning of this New Year to make a difference in the lives of others and in our community. I know that each one of you is unique and special in your own way, and have the capability to not only to share what we have, but more so in reaching out and sharing God’s Love with the less fortunate.

There is nothing wrong in seeking personal glory and success. But we should also strive to ensure that we contribute towards the betterment of the society in which we live, a society that ultimately also conditions the footprints that we leave behind after we would have passed through this world. History must not remember us for having failed to do our duty to our bothers and sisters. History must recall our kindness, love and compassion, and for us to do what is right for ourselves and others.

We must once and for all end our petty squabbling, vindictiveness, intolerance and back biting, because we are people of great faith. We must put an end to the plunder and squander mania of resources which can better be applied to development ourselves and our community. We must all join hands to solve the problems and be our brothers and sisters keepers. We must take the time to remember where we came from. We must remember the morals and values that our parents have pass on to us, and in so doing we must resolve to pass them on to our next generations.

May this New Year bring many opportunities your way, to explore every joy of life and may your resolutions for the days ahead stay firm, turning all your dreams into reality and all your efforts into great achievements.

May I take this opportunity to wish you and your wonderful family a blessed New Year filled with peace of mind, joy of spirit, and health of body. May you and yours genuinely enjoy the wonders of this Holy Season and carry its beauty with you into the New Year.

Prayer for Strength and Wisdom for the New Year

Grant me the strength from day to day

To bear what burdens come my way.

Grant me throughout this bright New Year

More to endure and less to fear.

Help me live that I may be

From spite and petty malice free.

Let me not bitterly complain

When cherished hopes of mine prove vain,

Or spoil with deeds of hate and rage

Some fair tomorrow’s spotless page.

Lord, as the days shall come and go

In courage let me stronger grow.

Lord, as the New Year dawns today

Help me to put my faults away.

Let me be big in little things;

Grant me the joy which friendship brings.

Keep me from selfishness and spite;

Let me be wise in what is right.

A happy New Year! Grant that I

May bring no tear to any human eyes.

When this New Year in time shall end

Let it be said I’ve played the friend,

Have lived and loved and labored here,

And made of it a happy year.

PANDIT SURESH SUGRIM
New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir, Inc., Humanitarian Mission