~ Happy New Year ~
January 1, 2000 � � �At the end of December each year you hear an awful lot about New Year's resolutions, but with the date changing to 2000 this year, it seemed to me there were so many more. The first day of a year is a time you feel like you can start fresh with a fresh slate. But with it seeming like the first day of a new century, (even though it doesn't really start until 2001), it appears to be an even better time for a new beginning. � � �When looking in the dictionary, the definition that applies to that context of resolution best is, "a decision as to a future action". But when I looked in the thesaurus for a synonym for resolution I discovered something really interesting. Beside the synonym "intention", I also found "determination", "courage", "purpose", and "solution" as synonyms. Each of these words in its own way expands the meaning of the term New Year's "resolution" a lot. � � �I think the world showed us all on New Year's Eve this year, that we can start over with a fresh slate. After all the very justified fears of terrorist attacks and possible y2k problems, the nations of the world showed us all what it can be like to live with "Peace on earth, good will to men"; even if only for one day. � � �While watching the festivities all around the world on December 31 for each country on "their" New Year's Eve, it hit me how very small our world has become. Maybe the customs, traditions and outward show were different, but in each place all through the day, and all through the world, I saw people - just plain people - who were looking forward with optimism and hope to a new year and a new beginning. � � �Let's pray that the spirit which was begun on New Year's Eve 2000 can continue. May it grow and spread to make a better world for us all. Joy and blessings,
Elaine
Thanks for the background -
