It is that time of the year again to pause, look back, reflect and take a breath. In 2013, the world was sliding further away from past models and behaviours. Everywhere, the need and the urge for change was getting stronger and more pressing. In the Middle East, the rise of Islamic State was already looming and China was about to sneeze.
The world is getting gloomier by the minute. Tensions and sanctions are all around, everywhere. The US and Russia are back in a passive-aggressive relationship. Islamic State is slowly but surely polluting the Middle East, and it is now spreading to north Africa. China is debating what to do with its once prodigal child, Hong Kong, while in turn the island is dealing with shame and shady business at the core of its government. In the US racism, discrimination and hate are back on the agenda. It looks like the 1960s all over again.
However, I do not want to turn into a female version of Ebenezer Scrooge. It will soon be Christmas after all. It is time to bear gifts and be merry, a time for celebrations and wishes. In Aladdin’s genie style, swiftly abandoning Dickens for Disney, I wish for the following.
May 2015 bring more trust into this world. Think about this past year, the trust that you have given – or not – to your collaborators, your team, your business partners or your loved ones. Reflect on trust betrayed or broken bythe same collaborators, team members and business partners. Take a deep breath and look inside yourself. Hands on heart, answer the following:
Would I have done anything differently today than I did yesterday?
Is it time for a change?
Has the moment to get rid of toxic people or business arrived?
Is it time to start anew?
Why reflect on trust?
Because to me, it is a critical element for business and personal growth. It is an essential element in social progress, and it is what this world is blatantly lacking. Trust makes you want to know more about others, about the world. Trust contributes to turning the unknown into the familiar, making it acceptable to be vulnerable, to say “I do not know”, “I cannot”, “I am sorry”, “I am scared”.
May 2015 bring more luck to our lives. I sincerely wish for luck, but in an unconventional way. No one should leave anything to chance, relinquish control to something supernatural, as soothing or comforting as it can be.
I wish for luck in our lives in the sense of seeing all our past efforts come to fruition. I wish for all the seeds planted to find this opportunity, close this deal, get this job, to encounter this perfect business partner. I wish for all of this to flourish over the year to come.
I wish all of you to believe you are prepared for anything that will come your way. I urge all of you to seize opportunities, embrace change and in some way free yourselves from social convention.
Why do I wish for this version of luck? Everyone deserves to put themselves back at the centre of their success. All of us should remember and celebrate our resilience and determination. All of us need to acknowledge our strengths and recognise them, without arrogance, just fairly but with confidence. This is about accountability and courage, to go after what we want, make a difference and bring change.
Seneca once said: “Luck is when preparedness meets opportunities.” In an ever-changing, uncertain and complex world, having the confidence in oneself and courage to seize opportunities can only bring progress, value and success. I wish for luck in our lives.
What else could we wish for? The following is going through my mind: stability, harmony, tenderness, success, silence, but I want to wish for one more thing – freedom.
In 2015, I wish for all of us to break free from one thing, however big or small. It can be a bad habit like smoking, or something more profound – others’ expectations or perceptions of oneself. I wish for all of us to find this space of inner freedom where only you exist and matter. I wish for all of you to reconnect with this feeling of wholeness, stillness and happiness. I wish for freedom for all of us.
Trust, luck and freedom – these are my wishes for me, for you, for the world, and in 2015, let us begin again. Happy holiday season.