I am notorious for asking people to reflect on New Year's
Eve. I want to know what they thought
about the old year, what they experienced.
I want to hear it all distilled into a simple conversation. And then I want to know about their aspirations
for the new year. What will be
remembering 365 days hence.
Everyone hates it.
To a person, there is a shifting, leg-crossing and
un-crossing discomfort, as if I'm about to give them a pop quiz on successes
and failures in their life. I've been
told, "I don't like thinking about that." Or "I dunno," or "Why do you
do this!"
The reason is simple.
I'm a writer. I tell
stories. I'm a reader. I like to hear
stories, too. What is a year but a
clearly marked chapter in a life? That
doesn't mean that every chapter has to be scintillating. We've all read books that pull you along and
then, suddenly you can't wait to stick a bookmark in it (I'm thinking Prince Caspian chapter 2
or so, From Hell chapter 4).
You are done. You don't have the attention/patience/love
to give it anymore. Until an hour or so
later, when you do. And you keep on
reading.
So, if you think your year has been dull, or miserable, or
not worth mentioning, think again. So
much has happened in this last chapter that you might have forgotten. Think about it. And then, as with all good writing, every
chapter ends with a little (or a big) cliffhanger. What.
Happens. Next?
That's 2013 calling. What will you do to
answer it?
Happy New Year, Everyone!
