No, I did not take this picture. I was in bed last night by 10 p.m.!
As a teen, I remember counting down the seconds — ten! nine! eight! — to midnight on New Year’s Eve. I clung to each one, lingered over it, never wanted to let it go. Those seconds were portals into my future past, remnants of a beautiful year.
I was a nostalgic kid.
As an adult, little has changed, except . . . I’ve seen enough New Years to know that there isn’t some catastrophic, year-annihilating boom at the stroke of midnight on January 1st. 2014 isn’t a pile a rubble and ash to be sorted through and mourned. Rather, 2014 is what it is — the past — just as 6:30 this morning is now the past.
If there is one thing not worth crying over, it is the passing of time. Why stress over the inevitable? The thing to worry about is the wasting of time.
I’ve wasted a lot of time in my life. We all have. And I’d say I’ll stop in the new year — promise to do better — but I know it’d be a lie. The “New Year, New You” idea is a sham. I’m the same me I was yesterday; how can I be “all new” today? And the answer is: I can’t. I can’t change who I am in a moment because it is the experience of years that has made me “me.” And that is not something to be ashamed of.
But what can I do in the new year? I’ve mentioned previously that I’m not one set New Year’s resolutions. That doesn’t mean, however, that I’m not one to set goals. This year I want to read and write more, travel more, start graduate school (or at least get accepted), and stress less. I want to exercise more, think more, dream more, love more.
This world can be a cold, hard place, but whether it stays that way is up to us. We all have a choice every day. What will you choose?
Happy New Year, everyone!!
*Images: google.com
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Good luck with those goals!
Thanks, Dan! I have a few more I didn’t mention, too. Hope your new year is off to a great start!
You’ve set some great goals for yourself there. I hope and wish to you, that you’ll reach all of them. :-)
Happy new year!
Thanks so much! I hope your new year is off to a great start!
Happy New Year! Great goals. So much of what we do ends up being a lie, but it’s not so bad. It’s not so much of a lie as something that we just haven’t gotten to yet. At least that is what I keep telling myself.
Ooooh, a “lie” is harsh, I guess. I just think we need to be practical when creating goals for ourselves. My goal is to exercise smarter and harder, not every day; to eat healthier, not to only eat health food — that kind of thing. Great to hear from you, Matthew. I’ve been out of touch for too long!
So true. I’ve been out of touch as well. Internet and technology issues mostly. But goals are certainly one of those necessary evils. So stressful yet we are lost without them. I didn’t want to make goals for this year but I have to. If I don’t then I won’t do anything worthwhile.
Once again, another thing in the long line of societal expectations.
I have similar goals though. Eat good food. Make my body better. Engage with those around me. Thanks Jess. Always great seeing your words.
It’s all good. It’s nice to see you making realistic goals. I have one goal this year and everything else points to it. I will publish my first novel. I can’t think about anything else yet. Not until I complete that. Be assured that exercise and delicious food are an integral part of that. I’m cheering you on!
Thank you, Matt! And way to go on aiming for that first novel! I have no such notions at this point, sadly. Though I’ve really got to get on it. I only have one life to live!!
Very well put. I hope this Year brings you an abundance of well being, love, and happiness. Take care and have a wonderful year.
Thank you, Frank! I hope the same for you!
Well said Jessica!
Thanks, Dad!
Couldn’t agree more. Onwards and upwards. Ad astra per aspera, right?
Exactly, Steven! And a happy new year to you!!
Agreed. “New Year, New You” isn’t something I’ve ever warmed towards. We’ve all made mistakes and learned from them in the past, and that is something I’ve carried with me as I move onwards and upwards. And then there all all those memories too in the past, memories that we may reflect on one day in the future and give us an “aha!” moment.
“We all have a choice every day”. Well said. We all have a chocie to get up, start doing, start learning. It’s never too late. Happy New Year, Jess. Best of luck with it all. Stay strong, stay safe, stay kind ^^’ <3
Thank you, Mabel! I’m glad I’m not the only one who hasn’t loved the “New Year, New You” idea. I agree with everything you said. Thanks for all the well wishes. I wish the same for you!!
I’d still like to think that New Years means a fresh start, even if it’s old shit that you’re dealing with. But then I have these ‘new year’s many times during the year so I can’t really complain. Hope you are doing well and have had a good start to the year!
There is never a wrong time for a fresh start, I agree and understand. I just don’t like it when people place so much pressure on one day. Change doesn’t happen over night — it’s a process, right? ;) Great to hear from you! Happy New Year!
Hope 2015 is a good year for you Jess, i have similar goals so best of luck :)
Thank you, Fraggle! The best of luck to you as well!
Happy New Year to you Jessica! I guess unconsciously I’ve already started my NY’s resolutions or goals: #1 – living more as a daily conservationist based on what I’ve learned in 2013 and 2014 and Earth’s dwindling resources & rising ‘polution’, then #2 – applying my new favorite quote from Albert Einstein, “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” Love it! There’s a huge difference between the two. Think about it.
I like your thoughts about New Year’s Eve/Day traditions and “time.” I was in bed Wednesday night about 10:45. I kissed my cat for the NYDay kiss. LOL :P
Remember how you used to get onto me for staying up pretty much all night, Professor? That is one thing I’ve been working on a lot lately. I never used to be in bed before midnight, so good for you and me!
I love that quote by Einstein. There *is* a huge difference, and I want the same thing… What is “success,” anyway? What is it without value? …Ooooh, I could write entire blog posts on the topic.
Cheers and best of luck to you and your goals in the new year!
You’ve had such a winding path in ’14, that I think this coming year will hold a bunch more surprises ~ all of them good :-) The New Year is a good place to re-evaluate, get a little of that inspiration back. Cheers!
I’ve had even more of a winding path than you know, Randall! So many posts I’ve been meaning to write… Thank you, thank you. I hope you’ve been well! Happy New Year!
Loved reading it, thanks for sharing. Have a great year ahead :)
Thanks for reading and letting me know! Hope your new year is off to a great start. :)
The first week has been a party week :)
Excellent!!
Happy new year,I hope you’ve been well. May this new year treat you well.
Sincerely,
Benjamin
Thank you, Benjamin! I hope the same for you! I always enjoy reading your updates on facebook. :)
I agree 100%, New Year/New You is really a marketing ploy but so many get sucked in. Great goals for the new year, I hope many of them come true for you. All the best in 2015
Thank you, Mark! I hope your new year is off to a great start. :)