Every year, there’s an immediate action we have to take to drag ourselves into the future and changing times — writing or otherwise using the new year in daily life.
2022. Get used to it now. 2-0-2-2.
I know. It’ll be March and a 2021 will slip out somewhere, hopefully with not too damaging of consequences.
Although the previous two A.D. years may be exceptions, it’s easy to be happy, content, and comfortable where we are at and not want things to change.
In any normal year, we might say, “But 2021 was good for me. I don’t want a different year. Can’t we just make up a 13th month? 2021 forever!”
Moving on
It’s hard, sometimes, to move on from the good, from the familiar, from the — again — comfortable.
How much really really stays the same in our lives, though?
Our bodies are always changing, sometimes for the good, sometimes for the challenging.
Our friends, family, and those around us are always changing‚ for the good and the questionable.
The world around us is always changing — for the good and the bad.
It’s a no-win battle to hang on and clutch onto the past.
“Now” becomes “then” so quickly.
God gave us many things that change. It’s His will that they do.
For you people out there that like snow, don’t you appreciate it more since you don’t get it 12 months out of the year?
Or in other areas, do you like seeing your kids and grandkids grow up? Did you like growing up and becoming an adult?
Do you like getting a better car, a bigger house, a nicer TV all while supporting your family?
Do you like hiking and finding a new place you’ve never seen before?
Do you like hearing a new and good piece of music and experiencing the excitement that comes with that?
Change ain’t so bad all the time.
Staying put
Some things can’t and should not change.
God’s love for us has, is, and always will be the same.
The Ten Commandments aren’t changing, they are as truthful today as they were several thousand years ago.
Christ is always present in the Mass, even in the midst of disagreements over how to get Him there.
Life is always precious, valued, and should be protected. All lives, all people, everyone.
We are all put here to know, love, and serve God, and live out the universal call to holiness.
That’s never been anything new. It’s nothing that ever changed.
It’s ok to let go
As much as we try to make it happen, this world does not revolve around us.
How many times in our lives have we put incalculable time and energy into something, only to have it taken away, not turn out right, or forgotten?
What about all the goals we set for ourselves, only to reach them and see they had little staying power into the future?
Today’s happiness may not lead to tomorrow’s joy. But, we’ll be ok. Even if there isn’t something brighter over the next hill, eventually, you’ll find the bright sun over the mountain.
Again, the only thing that doesn’t change is God’s love for us. It’s literally the best thing ever.
Everything else dies, disappears, or fades away.
When and if we get there together, we will live in that love totally in the Kingdom of God in Heaven.
It’s worth it to accept some changes now and be left with nothing but love for all eternity.