Happy New Year, A Return To Old Traditions

A year ago I embarked upon a journey that I had hoped would enrich my life, deepen my knowledge of the cultures of the world, and lead me to live a more joyful and spiritual human experience. My goals was to celebrate every day, for whatever reason possible and I had hoped to keep a record of my gained knowledge, experiences, and actions.

I failed. I managed to keep up with my attempts for a while, but eventually the daily collection of information and blogging, while trying to keep other blogs, and working, and reading, and writing, and doing all those other things I do daily became too much and I abandoned the pursuit. But I didn't turn my back on the challenge completely.

This year, I do resolve to celebrate every day. To be happy that I am alive, and to find reason to sing, laugh, learn or reflect among the culture, traditions, holidays, and celebrations of anyone that make up the 6 billion beings on this planet. More than likely not every day will be documented. Not every day will have major significance this year. But every day will still be celebrated. And this journal will chronicle those events this year, next year, and every year following until I have a calendar filled with a celebration that has taken place and has been documented for every single day of the year. This is about more than resolving to do something for this year; it is about enjoying everything that is around us within the small amount of time allotted to us on this planet.

Driving home from work last night after midnight the lights had gone out on a state highway I travel down daily. That part of town being completely in darkness was a bit eerie, not to mention dangerous considering the higher potential for risky driving on New Year's Eve. Most of the ride home was cast in darkness where light had been before, but near the end of the highway a single house that had not been affected by the power outage stood, completely covered in Christmas lights still shining brightly. As my truck passed the house a single bottle rocket flew from the yard, out in front of my vehicle, and exploded on the other side of the highway. Had it moved any slower I might have had time to be scared of it, but it was so quick that I was able to simultaneously note what had occurred and that I was out of danger. All that was left was one brief flash of light and the sound of explosive powder cracking. One fleeting moment of joy and happiness and merriment. That's all any of the chronicles of this journal will be; moments suspended in time only by our memories, beautiful in their fragility.

And so a new year begins. A renewed attempt at a past goal, and a pile of new tasks, goals, accomplishments and adventures to complete. It's only fitting to start the year off with a familiar song and poem.

The original Scots poem, boiled down to simpler components and expanded upon have found their way into New Year tradition beyond just the English-speaking world. The song has been translated into many other languages, or has had the lyrics changed but still remained in use for similar occasions. In Japan, the song is known popularly as Hotaru no Hikari (蛍の光) and is a celebration of a lifelong and unwavering devotion to study and enrichment. The song has almost nothing to do with Auld Lang Syne or the new year in general, but the Japanese still do sing it at the end of each year, though it is used to signify the end of many other events, even the close of a shopping day. Still this song permeates culture and language and has found itself a staple of global new year celebrations. And so as a new day of a new year begins I leave you with these words, looking forward to what the future has in store.