What's the point? 2013

For quite a few years now I have thought that New Years Eve was quite overrated. I'm not a big fan of how so many people choose to celebrate, getting absolutely obliterated and then making out with a complete stranger because they feel so lonely come 12 o'clock. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy celebrating good times as much as the next girl, but sometimes I just feel like a little something is missing when this is how we celebrate. Whatever happened to taking time to think about the good and bad times of the year? Or thinking about how blessed we are? Time to reflect and tell our loved ones how much we care about them? This is why I like Thanksgiving and Christmas so much because it seems people never forget to take these moments on these holidays, but sometimes New Years Eve is just one big party.

At school we learned about how other countries all over the world celebrate the New Year. In China they release hundreds of lanterns into the air to symbolize them letting go of their past selves and in another country (I think Ireland) they burned torches to symbolize the burning of the old and the ability for the new to enter. All the kids still thought that massive parties in the US were the best celebration, but I have to say in their eyes the US wins every argument! It seems in so many other countries there is some symbolism or some ritual that shows the importance of the new year coming and saying goodbye to the past. After reading about so many other countries, I wondered why the US doesn't have some kind of meaningful tradition like this.

I do beleieve the new year is something worth celebrating and something to be welcomed. I also beleive that the past year is something to treasure but also let go. This can be hard for some, including myself, as we must leave loved ones or old friends in that past year and enter a new year without them when we thought they would still be by our side. But that also leaves open the possibility of entering the next new years eve with someone new by your side. This will be just as much of a surprise, but a welcomed one.

I guess the point of it all, this entering of the new and saying goodbye of the old, is a cleansing of some sort. Its a clean slate that so many of us grab ahold to and feel as though we need. We will all do our best to be better at work, friendships, love, and family life but at the end of next year what memories will flood our minds?
All we can do is try to move on and upward. Move forward and with a purpose. All the while carrying the hope of what a new year offers, and the promise that God offers us; we are following HIS plan, and his plan is good, so let's trust whatever he's got on the agenda for 2013.

"For I know the plans I have for you....to give you a future and a HOPE..." Jeremiah 29:11

Cheers, to whatever 2013 holds...