Tuesday, December 27, 2011

New Year's Resolution


It’s that time of year again.  The time to throw out the old and bring in the new.  To mix hope and alcohol, to produce firm resolve.  The time we allow ourselves to look honestly in the mirror and admit our faults because tomorrow will be different - the start of something new.  On New Year’s Eve we reflect on the past twelve months we feel the twinge of regret that we could do things better. 

New Years’ Resolutions point to the fact we believe we can change the course of our lives.  Be it lose weight, get a new job, be a better husband, wife, son, daughter, father, mother, brother, sister.  We believe we have the capacity to change things in other lives.  If we are merely aimlessly drifting through life, it makes no sense to try to change our course.  In other words, the course of our life is not determined beyond our ability to change things. 

We implicitly believe our lives have meaning and purpose.  Therefore, it is important to take time to make sure we are making the best possible use of our time, of our lives.  So before midnight on New Year’s Eve we decide to do better so we can be in a better position to fulfill our purpose.

Either we are blessed or cursed with the quest for meaning.  If there is a purpose to be strived for, lives spent chasing this quest are noble.  If there is no ultimate purpose or reason to the life we find ourselves living, the search for meaning is at best quixotic.

This New Year’s Eve I want to wish you all a happy new year and one in which you can reflect on this quest for meaning.

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