Well, I won’t back down
No I won’t back down
You could stand me up at the gates of Hell
But I won’t back down
No I’ll stand my ground
Won’t be turned around
And I’ll keep this world from draggin’ me down
Gonna stand my ground
And I won’t back down
I Won’t Back Down – Tom Petty

Blog by: Lata Advani Viseu

As we move forward to another year, what are you willing to let go as this year comes to an end? What load are you carrying that is holding you from moving forward?

It is only when you sit down and ponder that you realize all the baggage you are carrying forward year after year.

This December, let go of envy, let go of fear, let go of anger, let go of guilt, let go of hate, let go of expectations, let go of the could have, should have, would have, let go of everything that is dragging you down.

The last few weeks have been dragging me down watching all that is going on in the world. I stopped watching mainstream news altogether, but it is hard to shut your eyes to everything without feeling guilty and helpless to change anything.

As I live in my own little bubble, I plan to do what I can to stay positive, to be grateful for all the blessings in my life, to work on myself, help where I can and hope that in 2024 there will be a shift in the world and we can all live in peace. Wishful thinking maybe but if there’s no hope, there’s nothing.

For some of you that have been carrying other kinds of personal baggage, how many more years do you plan to carry that load? At any moment you can change your thoughts and beliefs and let go of the hold other people or memories have on you.

A new year is like a blank slate to start the year right, not that you have to wait till the new year but still symbolic for most people for a new beginning and a chance to start fresh.

Don’t look back, don’t back down and lighten your load as you move into a new year.

“You can only lose what you cling to.” — Buddha

“Some of us think holding on makes us strong, but sometimes it is letting go.” — Herman Hesse

“Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.” — Oprah Winfrey

“Never love something so much that you can’t let go of it.” — Ginni Rometty

“Don’t grieve. Anything you lose comes round in another form.” – Rumi