If Years Were Animals

If 2007 was an animal, it would be a lemming. One among many, indeed a large flock of years, 2007 goes along with the flock and eventually jumps over the cliff of time into a deep abyss.

If the 2008 were an animal, it would be a gentle starfish sitting quietly on the ocean ledge near shore. Like the starfish, this new year grows quietly within the cold waves of other events: holidays, family time, shopping, eating and drinking. The winter solstice/new year 2008 sits silently at the bottom of the circle of time as other splashy events take the spotlight. But this week is the most important of all -- an end to one cycle, an end to a growing season, hunting season, fishing season, dating and mating season. And, a beginning, small and unimpressive at first, of a new year.

For many of us humans, the new year comes noisily, as one last cherrful hurrah before we head back to the regular toils of school and work and sports activities and poker tournaments.

But don't underestimate the power of the new year. It is the seed of the next period of our finite lives, and brings with it the potential that we each may flourish and live as fully as possible in 2008.