Possibilities

'And now let us welcome the New Year, 

full of things that never were.'

- Rainer Maira Rilke

I've shared the new 2013 Nature Conservancy calendars with friends and family (some of the calendar's biggest fans tend to be the 12 years and under set who enjoy the animals).   A couple people commented that they don't use paper calendars anymore, that they keep track of everything electronically on their phone and tablet.  I do as well but...there's something to actually writing things down on paper, seeing the whole month and year view, looking back and looking forward, the symbolism of literally turning a page to a new year ahead. Starting anew. 

End of year brings up a lot of things, certainly reflection on the past 12 months.  The media reminds us of the largest events of the past year (strangely, just with the events of the past 2 months alone I had actually forgotten the Olympics were this past summer).  There's a compression of time, a desire to see highlights and macro trends, to pull out general themes as a way to package what happened.   Businesses often have year end closings, the mad dash to get billing in before the books are closed and budget cycles begin.

Though personal year in review can even more powerful, looking at past 12 months,  reflecting on some very happy moments, sadness and loss,  small and large achievements and individual struggles.  Perhaps some goal setting, or making thoughtful  resolutions and intentions for the year ahead.  

One of my favorite New Years memories was when I was home from college and spending New Years Eve with Rob, a good friend from freshman year, my sister and Rob's brother Tom in a cabin in Northern Michigan that Rob's grandfather owned.  I don't remember much of the eve other that I'm sure lots of music, drinking and laughter, but I do remember New Years Day when we clomped in heavy coats through the trees and the thick snow and pretended we were Bono in the original MTV "New Years Day" video.   I remember the remoteness of place, the only sounds being snow crunching underfoot and our amateur singing talents bellowing over the quietness, and a sense that we were the only people in the world.  

Looking up the video again, Bono had commented that he wanted 'snow as image of surrender' ....  

This is a magic time of year, if we take advantage of the opportunity to really let go of what no longer serves us, turn the page and look ahead to new adventures and possibilities that we may not have even imagined quite yet.  And to add the most important ingredient to cherished or new dreams that are planted - to do it!

Henry Ward Beecher, a famous clergyman at Plymouth Church here in Brooklyn Heights, once said:  "

Every man should be born again on the first day of January. Start with a fresh page. Take up one hole more in the buckle if necessary, or let down one, according to circumstances; but on the first of January let every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and take no interest in things that were and are past."

Happy New Year everyone.