As the year gradually edges to a close, as we gradually move towards the last few days of 2011,we cannot but realize that this year has been one of the toughest years economically and socially worldwide.Unemployment is in its millions, GDP in an all time low,we have also experienced protest and riots all over the world. In the U.K the public sector workers had a 24 hour strike over pension reforms, Occupy wall street in the U.S, In Greece there were protests about the economic situation, Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi resigned due to a plunging economy, Mumar Ghadaffi was killed, protests in Syria over leadership,as well as in Egypt and Tunisia etc. It has definitely been a roller coaster ride politically with mass protests the world over.Most people out there just want to be able to wake up in the morning, go to work, come back to a warm home, hot dinner and a warm bed!

As the year draws to a close, we remember our loved ones who we have lost, whose chair on the dinning table will be empty, whose bed will not be occupied since they left us. The ones whose pictures are still hanging on the living room walls,in the family album and even on Facebook. The pictures which when we see, strikes up memories that make us smile, cry, laugh till we cry.The ones who will not be there(yet again this christmas) to share the christmas meal.They will always live in our memories, we will always keep them alive in our hearts, our minds will recreate what they would have been doing if they were still here. We celebrate their lives and manage mourning their demise, we take it one day at a time but their absence is more obvious this period,than at any other time in the year.

As the year draws to a close,we miss that significant other who we used to share our most innermost thoughts with. The one who had to leave because things seemed to be going back and forth, the one who did not care for us as much as we cared for them, the one who needed a time out but never came back, the one who found someone else and decided to leave us in the lurch.That person that used to be so special to us, who used to make us laugh till we cried but had to move on hence leaving the laughter out and leaving us with the cries at night.

As the year draws to a close, we ask ourselves questions about how the year has been. Was i productive this year? Am i moving forward, revolving on a spot, moving backwards? Am i in the right job? Will i get a job next year? Will i get into a relationship? Will i find love? Will i retake and pass that exam? Will i get pregnant? Will i get treatment for this ailment?

As the year draws to a close, a lot of questions start running through our minds and it is only natural since we end up taking stock of how the year has been either consciously, or unconsciously. However, i would like to congratulate you for making it to the last few days to the end of 2011. You have been through a lot and no one else understands what you have been through more than yourself. One thing is for sure though, you are alive now and with that comes a chance of things getting better, or just staying the way they are.Whichever way things turn out, there are somethings that we cannot change but have to live with and manage. These things should not let us lose the joy of the most important thing in life, Life itself!

As the year draws to a close dear reader,take time to appreciate the good things out of the numerous bad ones. It might be one out of a million, but then that one good thing should put a smile on your face even if it is for a fraction of a second.

As the year draws to a close,appreciate all that you are,all that you have irrespective of how much or how little, and realize that the most important gift this year cannot be wrapped as a gift…The most important gift you have is the life you are living. You are still here and that means there is still a chance next year!

Enjoy the little things and a Merry Christmas to you!
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