By Edwin Cooney
Every
365 days a new year is born except when 365 gives way to 366 days! As a man bedecked with countless
imperfections, this newness offers a chance to redeem myself anew. It’s another version of “tomorrow will be the
first day of the rest of your life.”
Thus, last Friday’s first day of both the year and the month recharged,
for a time at least, my physical, emotional, and perhaps even my spiritual
energy.
Of
course, every year brings a lot of sameness. However, some people live
fascinating, unpredictable lives, hence sameness is merely a continuation of
the unknowing and merely guessable. What
really matters is how the new year affects you and me! Those who insist that there’s nothing magical
about the dawning of a new year may be right, however newness is not merely
new, it’s both the sum and substance of newsworthy change we read, listen to,
and watch for every day of our lives.
The substance of the news is that it is news because it is unusual and
it doesn’t happen to most of us -- very often, that is. Of course, all of us are born and eventually
die just as those who we read about in the news, but rarely is it in the same
way or according to the same circumstances. Most of us are not born as princes
or princesses, or married to royalty, or connected to high offices. Most do not
sin against the trust of a national constituency or die as the victims of
natural disasters, murder, or assassination.
We can be grateful that these things are still “newsworthy!”
The
annual celebration of New Years has at least two controversies. First, when you talk with someone about New
Years plans, you invariably get into a discussion as to the relevancy of New
Years resolutions. Most people, it
seems, agree that they’re pretty meaningless and silly. Hence, they brag about their superior
attitude of nonparticipation in making New Years resolutions. Another bragging point is the question of the
relevancy or need for a New Years Eve party.
The braggers in this instance are usually those who insist they don’t
need to celebrate and are wise enough to stay home. Partygoers, on the other hand, simply go and
have a good time -- that is, of course if they recall the details of the
evening. New Years celebrations are a
little like past birthday celebrations.
Most of us have experienced memorable as well as forgettable birthday
and New Years occasions.
Of
course, what makes every New Years worthwhile is what we are capable of doing
with it! Some people propose marriage
while others announce wedding plans or even marry on New Years Eve or New Years
Day. (Note: two U.S. Presidents had
marital plans around New Years Day.
Twenty-eight-year-old Thomas Jefferson married Martha Wayles Skelton, a
twenty-three-year-old widow, on Wednesday, January 1st, 1772. Legend has it that Abraham Lincoln was
supposed to have married Mary Todd on Friday, January 1st, 1841 but suddenly
opted out of the wedding. He did finally
marry her on Friday, November 4th, 1842.)
As
we get older, many of us lose the energy and optimism that was the gift of
youth. Some of us, however (and I hope
and even expect that I’m in this latter group), are capable of shrugging off
the shell of fears that brought about youthful cynicism and in our final years
offer to society the best of our knowledge and capabilities largely free of
charge.
With
all the uncertainties 2016 and beyond may bring, allow yourself, if possible,
to be energized by the following realities:
(1.)
You have the right to be here.
(2.)
Your very presence energizes others making their existence worthwhile.
(3.)
You have the right to be loved.
(4.)
You have the right to be acknowledged.
(5.)
Acknowledgment of you bolsters the legitimacy of others.
(6.)
Others are really and truly strengthened from knowledge of your existence.
(7.)
Others invariably need the lessons that the experiences of your life
potentially teach them.
(8.)
Your life was designed to be a product of love, whatever the circumstances of
your conception.
(9.)
Love is the ingredient that brings substance to nature.
(10.)
The essence of God is love and it is that love that creates and sustains the
substance of humanity.
I
profoundly hope that the above energizes 2016 for you as it does for me!
Even
if 2016 primarily brings to you the “blues,” hopefully something here offers a
thought or two you can use!
Happy
New Year!
RESPECTFULLY
SUBMITTED,
EDWIN COONEY
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