Looking forward to 2024
Humanity is strongest when we stand together (…) We must come together across divides for shared solutions – for climate action, for economic opportunity and a fairer global financial system that delivers for all
TOMORROW is New Year’s Day!
Which means that from today, some will make that solemn trip to a place of worship to offer the last or the first thanksgiving prayer of 2024.
Others will engage in a battle around the grog bowl hoping to greet the first dawn of a new year sleep-deprived.
There will be others who would hit watering holes to sip on icy cold beer and toast over sparkling wine.
Those who prefer a private affair will gather around at home with family and friends, feasting on lovo food while lovers share a sandwich on a park bench and popcorn at the movies.
But the perfect New Year is hard to come by.
This means that different individuals and groups of people will have different expectations of what 2024 will or should bring.
In Gaza, because of growing signs of open-ended occupation and unceasing devastation, peace would be on everyone’s mind.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to obliterate Hamas for its attack on October 7 has only worsened the conflict and many believe Israel would be reimposing a military occupation in the enclave it left in 2005. Our hopes and prayers should be with those affected and at risk.
To Women’s Crisis Centre coordinator, Shamima Ali, her ideal New Year would be one where there is zero violence against women and girls, and where men, as partners, provide their best support. Her wish should be everyone’s wish.
To journalists and media houses, a good 2024 would be one where freedom of the media and expression continue to be upheld, protected and defended.
Our national rugby teams would definitely look forward to sterling performances in both 7s and 15s in 2024.
Celebrations and expectations aside, the arrival of a new year has a moral dimension to it.
While it is often a time to go overboard with fun and celebrations, it can also be a time to pause for a moment and seriously consider the adjustments you need to make in your life.
Beneath the superficial excitement and glamour of the festive season, are deep-rooted spiritual undercurrents, which ancient civilisations have observed and shared for centuries.
In Spain, people eat grapes to attract good omen. At each stroke of the clock at midnight, one grape is eaten. Each grape represents good luck for each month so 12 grapes mean fortune for the whole year.
In Denmark, people welcome the New Year by throwing old plates and glasses at the doors of family and friends to remove evil spirits and negative vibes.
They also stand on chairs and jump off together at midnight with the hope of leaping into good times.
In Greece, an onion is hung on the front door of the house on New Year’s Eve to symbolise rebirth and on New Year’s Day parents wake up their children by tapping on their heads using onions.
In rural Fiji, people pour water on each other, perhaps as a sign of cleansing. Those who are wet are given gifts called vakamamaca.
Alternatively, baby power is applied on heads and faces until people turn into Japanese snow monkeys. Some spray others with perfumes. In extreme cases, people are put in swamps and ditches and rotten breadfruit is thrown around.
From where I come from, New Year’s Day begins a time of mad drum beating and nights of endless dancing called siba.
While New Year’s celebrations are unique to each culture, all practices share some, if not many, commonalities.
All seem to agree that a new year is a time for setting things straight, reflecting on one’s shortcomings, fixing tarnished relationships, reaching out to those who need us and having fun with loved ones.
The most popular thing to do during the new year is to come up with ambitious resolutions such as losing weight, quitting alcohol, buying a new property, saving up and reconnecting with loved ones, to name a few.
While some of these may be born out of guilt, because we tend to over indulge and live dangerously during the festive season, they are good New Year starters nevertheless.
But here’s the trick. When planning your new year’s resolutions, it is important to think of practical things that you can easily follow and achieve or something you have been doing already but would like to improve on, instead of trying out something totally beyond you.
In his New Year’s 2024 message, UN secretary-general, António Guterres said although 2023 has been a crazy year, it was important that the world “must come together”.
“2023 has been a year of enormous suffering, violence, and climate chaos (…) 2023 is the hottest year on record; people are getting crushed by growing poverty and hunger; wars are growing in number and ferocity,” he said.
Mr Guterres highlight the scarcity of trust and emphasised that “pointing fingers and pointing guns lead nowhere”.
“Humanity is strongest when we stand together (…) We must come together across divides for shared solutions – for climate action, for economic opportunity and a fairer global financial system that delivers for all,” said Mr Guterres.
“The United Nations will keep rallying the world for peace, sustainable development and human rights,” affirmed the UN chief.
“Let’s resolve to make 2024 a year of building trust and hope in all that we can accomplish together.”
Let us also think of ways to take care of our sick planet. Let us reflect on the outcome of COP28 and how we can support local green initiatives, even the simple things like getting into the habit of recycling, reducing our use of single-use plastics and dependence on fossil fuels. Let’s try to embrace cleaner energy sources and technologies and let us pray that our community and national leaders will have the foresight to improve where they left off in 2023.
Everyone can be an agent of change and no matter how small your contribution may be, know that any change you bring to the place you live, the organisation you belong to and the group you associate with is a huge leap for the common good.
Such is the promise of a New Year – a time to reflect, resolve and start anew. You see it’s not all about partying, feasting and laughter.
Wherever you are reading this from, it is my hope and prayer that this New Years becomes your chance to turn over a new leaf in your life.
As for me, I will go on leave from Wednesday and return to work in the second week of February. To all Fijians who follow this page every Sunday, I will not be able to contribute until I return to work.
It’s been five years since I started writing articles for the Behind The News and I believe I need a short break from everything connected to work. So wish be luck!
Until we meet on this same page same time next week, have a happy New Year, stay blessed, stay healthy and stay safe!