New Year. If you’re lucky, you’ve lived through this Holiday many times. Traditionally, it is about starting over, being absolved from our worst traits and behaviors while offered a chance to become all the good things we think we’re capable of. We might write thoughtful resolutions; a check list turned road map to a Better New Us. We will attempt our redemption in the form of neat words on paper, punctuated with good intentions.
And for some, it is a time of maybe not quite mourning, but almost. If the past year has held immense pain or dramatic life events, the idea of being a “new person” terrifies us because we don’t know how yet, or even where to start. This time can also cause a sadness fueled by the opposite of drama: the scenery may have changed, perhaps a few details are different but we feel we have lived (essentially) the same year over and over, and over again— and it seems there are no new, shiny things for us to find anymore. When we look in the mirror and fear nothing has really changed in our hearts for a long time: only the grey hair, the aging shell.
For me, it has been a mix of the two. I have never believed in “resolutions” per se. I have found they cause more damage than inspiration. But I plan for what I want out of the coming year and how I might seize my goals. There has been too, years when I talked myself into thinking cynicism and the surrender to darker places was being realistic and mature—instead of a temporary choice of perspective. But I am lucky that I don’t really believe there is nothing new to be found in life, nor any beauty to be had. There is much to be had of both.
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So about this time every year, I find myself in the same spot: reflecting about the past, criticizing the present and scheming for the future. What I have come to the conclusion is, years by themselves mean very little. Start collecting them over time though and they shape the arc of your life. Consistently, I have adopted two main ideals that clearly shape me and predict how I will function in the New Year.
GRATITUDE.
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Now, I am indeed a lucky person. I have much to be grateful for. Every. Single. Day. But even in my most challenging years, I have always clung on to the smallest of gratitude. And I mean small. When I am shown the slightest kindness, when I see the most common examples of beauty, or am given the tiniest of opportunity to become more, I tend to gild it on the spot and not care that it isn’t pure gold. The funny thing is, by doing this; a true alchemy always seems to happen to my counterfeit stash, my gratitude turns my meager coins into riches that get me through times of emotional poverty.
PEOPLE.
No doubt, what I value most every year are the people in my life. When I reflect about what truly matters to me, it is always about the people. To know and love the good hearts of others is to catch a glimpse of Heaven. And I am insatiable when it comes to finding good hearts. There are so many! You only have to be willing to look. If you are, your search will often reveal the most beautiful and loyal friends you may someday call yours. It is the love in the world that makes life worth the struggle.
New Year’s means many things to many people. I don’t judge what it might mean for you, we all have our own path to find our pot of gold. Wherever you are on your journey, I wish you love and peace in 2016. There is much to be had of both.
To the New Year!
SIDE NOTE:
The other thing that gets me every year? The song, Auld Lang Syne. Truth be told, I was always so moved by the melody I never actually paid attention to the words at all— the music enthralled me too much. This year, I looked up the lyrics and I am happy to say they live up to the music! I thought I’d share them. Well, it’s actually a Scottish poem turned song, which holds very beautiful sentiments. Auld Lang Syne translates loosely to “times long past”.
“Auld Lang Syne”
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne?
CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely you’ll buy your pint cup!
and surely I’ll buy mine!
And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.
- CHORUS
We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine†;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.
- CHORUS
And there’s a hand my trusty friend!
And give me a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.
- CHORUS