88 | December 2011 | woman this month When I call my mother every New Year’s Eve, she always says: “I just don’t know where the year has gone.” Apparently, the years go by faster for her than for the rest of us. Had she lived in Bahrain this past year, 2011 could not have gone by fast enough. It was a year we have simply had to endure since February. Most of us, at some point, came to terms with the idea that 2011, in Bahrain, wasn’t going to be the year we wanted it to be. And so we enter 2012. This year, the phrase “Happy New Year” will be shouted with more than just a little joy and anticipation. “H.N.Y. my BFF’s” and may the following twelve months be filled with everything you want from life. It had better be! According to the Mayan calendar, 21.12.2012, is supposed to be the date marking the end of our planet. Although we might all be a touch sceptical about this sort of declaration, sometimes it can feel like it might be worth living each day as if it were your last. And who’s to say that it isn’t? Over the last decade, it has felt a bit like the earth is pitting itself against us. Tornadoes have raged with destructive force, earthquakes have caused Tsunamis which have wiped the earth clean of entire cities. The force of the planet seems to be getting stronger, volcanoes have shut down airspace numerous times in the past few years and wreaked havoc with entire industries. Is this the year we all go up in smoke? And if it is, how should I spend the twelve month countdown? Personally, I’d prefer to take my entire life’s savings and spend the last 300 or so days left on the planet aimlessly wandering it, seeing as many cultures and cities as possible. I’d buy those Prada skirts and dresses I always wished I could afford, buy the shoes I dream will make me a tall strutting goddess and accessorise with the handbags of the rich and famous. Hard-headed Woman The End is Nigh The only hiccup with that thought, though, is what happens on the 22nd of December? What if the world does not end? I would have been the silly one, having spent a life’s savings. I would have no house and be broke, only to have to work and toil away the rest of my days because I went wild and spent everything in 2012. Mind you, I would look fabulous while doing it! But on the other hand, if I save my cash, stay in my job and continue paying the mortgage and the world ends on 21st December, then even the aliens in outer space are going to be laughing at my stupidity. Who, having had centuries of forewarning about the world’s end date, would continue to bank their cash in full and not have as much fun as they possibly could? As they say: “You can’t take it with you.” So what to do? The same as every other year, month and day I presume. You see, even though this time we have been given a precise date, the fact is we could be on a countdown today or tomorrow or any day. We never actually know when the last day could be for any of us. Why should we wait to live life? You don’t have to be utterly frivolous and illogical about it, but you can be sensible and at the same time make an effort to do something fun and enjoy yourself each day that you have. Live every day with no regrets. Do it your way, ungoverned by the pointless rules of others. Be free in mind and spirit and do that which challenges you, excites you and makes every day worth waking up for. Do it for yourself. You are the Queen of your world. Whether today, tomorrow or December 21st 2012 is the last day, live life to the fullest, be responsible and let whatever happens, happen. I’m off to put a deposit on a sexy little mini skirt I’ve had my eyes on for weeks. Happy New Year girls! WoMentality
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