As we age, our perspective of time changes, even as it keeps running at a constant rate according to Physics. It seems as soon as we hit 18 it starts running faster. Over time that changes how one looks at New Year’s Eve and celebrating the passing of a year, as well as how important it is. 

Don’t get me wrong–it is wonderful to see all the cool things that have come out over the past year and to vote for a list of “the best” over the year. But when you are coming up on four decades, like myself, you tend to put more weight on celebrating the decades than just the individual years. After all, what might have been important one year is not as important as something in another year that has far more impact on shaping a whole decade. 

Even as my outlook on New Year’s changes, I don’t begrudge those who view it with more enthusiasm. I haven’t become that grumpy old guy saying “getting off my lawn” yet. I think you only do when you forget what it was like to enjoy the things you used to enjoy, that those who are younger than you enjoy now. 

For some, New Year’s is a way of paying attention to time going by since it goes by so fast for them. Some go from enjoying it as a celebration to just marking it as another day on the calendar. There is no right or wrong way to celebrate it. (Aside from drinking and driving that is.) [AP1] 

New Year’s is an anniversary with life. It is one of the few things from childhood that carries on into adulthood. As teenagers, we celebrated one-month anniversaries like milestones, and as adults, we tend to wait until at least six months in many cases. As we get older, other holidays change in meaning for us as well.

As time goes on, New Year’s makes you realize that all of the holidays and milestones in your life have changed. It’s not a bad thing, necessarily, though it is a chance to make changes to make it better. Change is part of being human after all. How we adapt to change says a lot about us. Some fight it, and some flow with it like water.

Whether your years are going slowly or passing by like as NASCAR race, hopefully they are enjoyable. May 2019 bring you wisdom, happiness, and more tales to tell.

*Tips his hat and walks out the door, heading for Denny’s*