Reassessment--A New Year Meditation

As the New Year rings in

and the old year rings out,

I'll look back over the year

and assess what life was about.

Have I been honest?

Have I been kind?

Was I the best friend,

That my best friends could find?

Did I hold open my heart?

Did I offer my hands?

Was I faithful to the flag,

and for which it stands?

Was I there when needed?

Did I give more than I took?

Could I have taken the time

to read a child a book?

Did I keep anger at bay?

Was I true to my vows?,

When someone needed help

did I show them how?

Could I have donated more

and complained much less?

If I stood at the gates,

would I pass the test?

Did I make more right choices

than not?

Did I do or say hurtful things?

Was there someone I forgot?

Did I wave to my neighbors,

or did I pass them by?

Was I not the best I could be?

Did I make someone cry?

Did I reserve my own judgement,

and look at both sides?

Did I lead by example,

or overtaken by pride?

Could I have been better?

Did I forget to care?

Is there even more of me

that I need to share?

Whatever the outcome.

Whatever I find.

One mandate is certain,

to others--always be kind.