As one year ends and a new one begins, we seem to always say where did the year go, how did the time go by so fast? As we age, we notice how each year seems to pass even more quickly. Children, on the other hand, find that time hangs. Perhaps this is because they are untarnished by the demands of life. Instead, they are singularly focused on making it to the next milestone—staying up later, walking to school by themselves, having a double digit birthday, going out without parental supervision, and the grand prize of moving out to be on their own--all seem to take forever. Each of these milestones represents a step toward adulthood driven by the misguided idea that once adulthood is achieved, they will be able to do whatever they want.
Those that have reached adulthood know what a farce this notion is. Adults don’t have enough hours in the day for the demands on their time and they certainly are not dictating all those demands or when they will be completed. And while in hindsight time may race by because we are so busy juggling our “to dos” and the surprises life sends our way--good and challenging--it is the challenging ones that seem to move as slowly for adults as time does for a child. However, as adults, we have the power to not prolong our harder days.
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When difficult situations arise, it is helpful to remember that this too shall pass. We all have a limited amount of time in our life and how we spend that time is entirely up to us. It is going to fly by whether we approach life with a loving heart or a bitter one. There is no doubt that there will be times in our life that will be filled with difficulties, when nothing seems to go right, and loss. This is just part of the human condition, designed to help us appreciate the good moments in our life even more. Through the practice of looking for the lessons in life—and it does take practice--we will not only appreciate the big moments of happiness in our life--achieving our goals, welcoming new family members and friends, sharing the holidays together, but we will also appreciate the many unspoken joys of life, time alone with our thoughts, the sand between our toes, the rain after a long draught or perhaps a warm day in the middle of winter.
As we embark on a new year and recognize how quickly the previous one went by, take a moment to remember what you learned, honor your journey, count your blessings and look to the new year with an open and loving heart so that as you mark the swift passage of time, your reflections will be filled with smiles, joy, peace, and love for yourself and others.
Renee’ Gatz has been an executive in the
financial services industry for 15 years
where she has held a variety of marketing
and communications roles. Renee’ is a
graduate of St. Peter's College in Jersey
City, NJ where she earned a Bachelor of
Science degree in Business Management while attending school
in the evening and working full time. She lives in Woodbridge,
NJ not far from her childhood home.
