I think part of the reason for the New Year's enthusiasm is that one moment when the countdown has gotten to 1, everybody cheers and yells Happy New Year!, and we suddenly bridge from one year to the next. I myself was fascinated at the thought that I had already embarked upon my first minutes of 2011, and yet some of my dear friends in other time zones were still living in 2010. Weird and insanely awesome all at the same time!
When you really think about it, though, it is kind of a neat holiday. It's a chance to look back on the last 365 days--to see how our lives have changed and how far we've come...to remember our struggles and triumphs...but also to look forward to the future. To the unknown. To the endless array of possibilities before us. That Phantom we call the Unknown has the uncanny ability to be both frighteningly paralyzing and exhilaratingly motivational. The unknown requires us to be a people of faith and action. We have to have faith that the Lord will guide us, and we also have to be willing to make a plan and act on it. Choosing what to plan for--that is my challenge.
My 2010 was full of new experiences and excitement. I completed my Teacher Work Sample. I finished my first year of teaching and now look back on it with such fond memories. I graduated from college and got my teaching license! I struggled to know where to go and had some disappointments along the way. Once I made the decision to move to Nashville, I was out of my apartment and on the road to my new home in five days. I moved in with my brother Randy's family and became part of the reading department at an elementary school. Though I can't list off all the reasons for my current location and status in life, I have a few ideas. One of those is that in coming to Nashville I have had the opportunity to meet and become good friends with some amazing, amazing people. That's the best part about where I'm at now. I'm so happy to be in Nashville.
But what does 2011 hold? What adventures can I pursue in the next 365 days? My good friend Enya has been known to echo these queries as well as answer them. "Who can say where the road goes? Where the day flows? Only time." Here's to a new year and to the details of life that will unfold in that time!
p.s. Although I cannot tell you everything that will happen this year, I can tell you one thing--and that is what will be happening in about five minutes. I'll be asnooze in my bed! :) (Thanks to Dr. Seuss for his one-of-a-kind terminology!)
