A New Year Dawning

As I reflect on this year I think of many awesome and awful things almost simultaneously. It is a great thing that a blend of events occurred in order to prevent complete collapse due to stress or complacency for the lack of it. It is an interesting thing, the life cycle. It seems true that it sails by at light speed. But oh what a great ride.
In another day the pace was slower, the entertainment was socializing and the culture was family or home based. People rarely moved around the globe or spent their days and nights away from loved ones. Now you are challenged to find them in the same state let alone the same house!
Pace, it is all about the pace. We are always in a hurry and thus the time must keep our pace. It flies by often before you can develop your photos or hang last years high school picture up. You are shipping your Christmas parcels overnight express mail despite the fact that you knew Christmas was coming 365 days ago! In the last century you spent half of the year just MAKING the gifts, and then had to plan for 3 weeks for the horse or carriage delivery.
As I look at this picture of my family from the early 1800's I think how long did they spend getting cleaned up, traveling and posing for the photo. Hours? Days? Today we want that WalMart discount shot and we want it right now! Our last family shoot took about 15 minutes max. And there were complaints of being hot, crowded, uncomfortable. Really, are you looking at those clothes? There was no air conditioning, there was no indoor plumbing, there as no cold refreshment stand. Hmmm
So what would it take for you to relax, reorganize, maybe re-prioritize your time. In our fast paced society I am suddenly in favor of planners that allow you to block out or plan time for whatever. Photos, zoo, shopping, coffee, meals, trips, whatever!
So in this New Year it might be a good opportunity, or your last opportunity to spend some quality time with those that really mean the most. Don't waste a minute. Don't let the year zoom by without a single change. Plan now and enjoy this New Year dawning.