Will 2017 be a leap year? It can be.

Well, 2016 is about to go out the door and another year is about to step in. And I have started hearing the first of the latest edition of new year resolutions - in my conversations with some friends and acquaintances, and on my social media feed. As for me, my commitments to myself have never had a turn-of-the-year bias. I don’t see any reason to suddenly sit up, introspect deeply and make all sorts of rushed promises just because time is turning a year older now.

So, what follows is not a wave of ‘new year resolutions’. Rather, they are a gentle reminder to myself to continue to behave in a certain way. And to do certain things better than ever before. Let me know if these resonate with you and whether you have some such reminders of your own.

I will give my child the warmth and comfort of a million tight hugs; make him feel everything is alright with the world - with his world, at least.

I will not make my child grow up in my shadow. Rather, I will let him live in sunshine and cast his own shadow.

I will continue to focus on building depth. While everyone needs a certain amount of breadth too (not of the waistline, mind you), depth is far more important. In my chosen fields, I will continue to chase excellence.

I will let myself pause every now and then, and take in the meadows and the sunshine. However, I will not hesitate to kick my own arse if I think I am slacking too much.

I will try to surround myself with people who are stronger and better than I am. And, to collaborate with others who are the best in their respective fields.

This year, I will break new ground - in personal and professional life. It's a pity I did not pay heed to my innate talents and desires earlier than I did. But having done that at least now, I will go all out and make up for lost time.

I will compete only with myself and measure my success in terms of my goals and impact.

I will be eternally grateful for all that I have and will give more to others.

I will continue to laugh a lot - most importantly, at myself and at the absurdities of life. The trick is to take oneself seriously enough, but not too seriously.

2017 will not have 29 days in February. And yet, it can be a ‘leap’ year for all of us. Let’s make it one.