Random Ramblings of a Reluctant Blogger

I woke up to a new dawn. Or at least, what was supposed to be a new dawn. Given all the brouhaha that preceded it, one thought one would see a completely changed scenario all around. It hasn’t happened before, nor did it this time. At the risk of being called a cynic, I admit this heralding a New year shenanigans has added nothing, but hangovers.
And to remove any doubts, I will once again admit that I have for long been heralding the new year in the best possible way – sleeping. And none the worse for it.
What does the ‘new’ day bring in anyway? The same trudge to the office or wherever, wading  through the same insane traffic and allowing ourselves to be swamped by the same work and the same routine, same worry, and to not forget, the same complaints.
Come to think of it, except for a change in numerals, which will confound us for a couple of months, things stay pretty much the same. And yet, as we all creatures of habit are drawn in to these year-end bashes, the marketing geeks go laughing all the way to the banks. For, after all, isn’t all this jamboree a pure marketing genius.? So much so, we  even keep our temples open at midnight! If that isn’t an advertisement/ marketing world’s victory, what is?
I am not against celebrations, per se, but am appalled, somewhat, by the thought that those celebrations would bring in wholesome transformations overnight. The all around backslapping, the greetings all perceivably hoping for a magic sleight of hand that reveals a utopia.
All the change towards an utopia can still, and would, happen even if one were to sleep through the previous night. Unless of course if the next day were to be the end of the world. And in that case it wouldn’t even matter.
The followers of Bacchus, in fact, do not even need a reason, so for them any day is a good enough reason for a party, the year-end then is no different.
Why are we then, on this particular day,  all so hyped and bursting forth with enthusiasm? Why don’t we retain this joie de vivre throughout the year, especially when the chips are down. Why don’t we spread the bonhomie at all times, moonshine or no moonshine.? Why do we wait for this particular day to embark on being a better version of ourselves? Isn’t being better a year-around affair? That’s hoping for too much isn’t it?
But then come to think of it, it is hope, the eternal hope that is celebrated. Hope – the constant through all the old and new years. A constant that keeps us going on. And, I guess, it is this hope one tries to shine a light on.
But then hope doesn’t actually need a day, a bash or even a searchlight focused on it. Why then not a muted, toned-down celebrations? After All hope springs eternal, new year or not.