Today is the last day of the year 2022

On the 2022 New Year Day
We had high hopes and 
reason(!)ed determination that 
it must be better than 
the year before 2021.

For many though
2022 was among the toughest still 
they have ever experienced, 
though not as bad as 
during the Covid-19 peak times.

The disappointments we feel 
during the 2022 
need 
a proper send off.
Or 
we risk a hangover 
never quite ready 
to make the best of the New Year 2023.

So
today let us dedicate some of our times
to revisit the past twelve month 
recognising the hurts, 
the disappointments and 
the despair 
that there have been.

Mindfully as if a mother is 
comfo(!)rting her only and one crying child ….
We should embrace our old self in the old year 
with acceptance 
and compassion.

Then
Only then 
We shall ready ourselves to welcome 
tomorrow 
which a new year
2023!

Ven.Prof.Dr.Khammai Dhammasami 

(Oxford Sayadaw)

Shan State Buddhist University