Theme: Good proposals; discipline

New Year's promises

It was December 31st and the brothers Luiz and Luca were in the kitchen preparing a special dinner. The whole family was together and each one did their part so that everyone had a beautiful supper.

As they worked, they talked:

– Thank God it was a very good year! – said Luca, the younger brother. – I managed to finish my class and even got a good grade on the final test. Now I can be promoted in the company or even get a better job. I put in a lot of effort, but it was worth it!

– I'm glad you're happy, Luca – said Luiz, as he sprinkled flour on a platter – I am not! To be honest, today I was pretty discouraged.

– Why, Luiz? You usually love this time of the year and preparing those delicious foods that you make like no one else.

– I really love it... Cooking and spending the new year with the whole family, but this time all I can think about is the promises I made last year. I said that I would exercise more, that I would read more books, that I would be more patient, more organized with my time... I even made an effort for a few days, but I ended up going back to my old habits. Now that the year is over, I realize that I haven't done almost anything I had set out to do.

Luca thought for a while as he washed the vegetables. Finally, he said to his brother:

– Luiz, instead of thinking about what you would like to have done, how about thinking about what you are going to do from now on? Tomorrow starts a new year. Every minute, every day, every year is a new opportunity to renew our proposals and new chances of achievement. Now you already have more experiences than last year, more knowledge of what works and what doesn't work for you. You'll have a better chance of getting it right this time. Redo your plans, brother, and keep going!

Luiz liked what Luca said. He felt motivated to have a great new year. Going back to the days gone by was not possible, but enjoying the ones to come, yes.

– You're right, Luca. When did you become wise like that, huh? – asked Luiz, joking.

– Live and learn, right? – Luca said, smiling, as he opened the oven for his brother to put the pie he had just prepared.

– This is going to be delicious, Luiz! Luka continued. – I think I'm going to include, in my New Year's proposals, learning some recipes from you.

– That's great! Let's cook together then. I will teach you my spices. And I already tell you that the main thing is salt, in the right measure.

– Nice! But don't forget that my main “spice” is discipline! I'll pull you into the kitchen whenever we've agreed.

– Great, Luca! I'll have to learn your "spice" too! This recipe has everything to work out: salt in food and discipline in life!

That night, the brothers ate well, laughed, and enjoyed themselves with the whole family. When the fireworks started to appear in the sky, Luiz and Luca embraced with joy and hope, ready to live a very happy new year.

(Text by Lívia Seneda)

Translation:
Larissa Martine - larissa_am@hotmail.com

marcelapradacontato@gmail.com