Another New Year

2011 has dawned.  Another new year is here.

So, what does that mean?  I mean, what does it really mean?

Nothing.  Absolutely nothing.

Every time the ball drops, people go crazy.  Making resolutions and swearing that the new year will be different.  Setting their sights too high, and thus setting themselves up for failure.  I don't understand why people put so much hope in the flip of a calendar.  Truth is, no one will change unless they truly want to...no matter the date on the page.

I always get a bit aggravated this time of year listening to people go on and on about their resolutions.  Everywhere I look, from the TV, to the newspaper, to friends and family, people are yapping about all the wonderful changes they will make simply because it's a new year.  It wouldn't be so annoying if the majority would succeed, but in reality only a tiny smidgen of people actually live up to their claims.  

To me, the whole concept of a new year's resolution is ridiculous.  Media hype and peer pressure fuel the fire and suck people into the scheme.  Suddenly everyone wants to be...better.  Thinner.  Smoke-free.  More available to loved ones.  And so on...

Most people dive right in at the stroke of midnight.  For a few weeks, people will seem nicer... hopeful... determined.  Mary will eat salads for lunch.  Johnny will get the nicotine patch.  Frank will make it home in time for dinner with his family.

By month end, the fire will be nothing more than some smoldering ashes.  The media will be over it... and so will most people.  Life will return as it was before the singing of Auld Lang Syne.

Maybe I'm just a pessimist.  Maybe I'm bitter for failing when I bought into the hype myself.  Maybe I'm simply a realist.

I think there will be many changes in my life in 2011, and not because the calendar says so.  Some are welcomed; some...well, not so much.  But either way, they are happening because it's time for them to happen.  

Ready or not.