These circuits—years—accumulate into centuries, millennia, eras; we measure our history with them. And yet we seem not to think far in the future to the time when the present will be but a dusty memory, a two sentence paragraph in a text book--or maybe not even that.
Thomas Paine thought he lived in the “the times that try men’s souls.” Haven’t all generations before him, and those living after, thought the same thing? That the decades we live are the toughest, the most meaningful, the ones that will be remembered as especially noteworthy? A turning point? Something more important than anything in the past?
When I listened to the 2009 wrap up… pundits declaring certain moments as highly significant and memorable, I couldn't help but think of how many of the events are but shooting stars… sound and fury… figments of our own self-importance.
What we do, individually and collectively, does matter, of course, and will affect the years to come. But we have to recognize that we are just a small part of the warp and weave of a universal tapestry and that no thread is unnecessary or less important… that we build on the old just as those in the future will contend with what we have contributed, for better or worse.
As this new year begins, I look with humility at what small stitch I might add to the future, what small touch of color I might add to the tapestry.
Comments
A good renewal reminder. And, I do believe it will be a good year!
Alice