Blessings in the New Year

SKYLARK'S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - BLESSINGS IN THE NEW YEAR

Cheers to 2026! Salud!

I have been thinking about what the New Year means to me. I'm sure you've been thinking about it, too. I love a new year. It's a great opportunity to start fresh. I have some lofty new goals that I've been laying the groundwork for in the past year or so. Time is moving on, and I don't want to waste a minute of it. I just celebrated my 68th birthday. I'm feeling very lucky. Many friends have not made it to this age. Let's not squander our time here on earth. It is very precious. Let's make the most of it.

I'm a doer. I like setting new goals and achieving them. Whether they are big or small, the beginning of a new year is the perfect time to reevaluate your life, and yourself, and see what you've done, where you've been, and where you want to go. It's an ancient tradition.

People have been celebrating the New Year for at least four millennia. The Babylonians, for instance, celebrated the first new moon following the equinox with a festival called Akitu. While modern celebrations on January 1 have their roots in the Roman calendar, the concept of marking the passage of time and celebrating the arrival of a new cycle predates recorded history.

History of Celebrating the New Year in America

The history of New Year's celebrations in America is rich and varied, reflecting the country's diverse cultural influences that continue to evolve. Here are some key points about how Americans have celebrated the New Year over the years:

• Early Days: In the 17th century, Puritan settlers in America viewed New Year's Day as a day of solemn reflection. 
• 19th Century: As cultural diversity expanded, New Year's Day evolved into a vibrant public celebration, with parties, fireworks, and new resolutions becoming common. 
• Mid-20th Century: By the mid-20th century, New Year's Day had become a nationwide festival of joy, with celebrations often marked by the Times Square Ball Drop and other festivities. 
• Modern Traditions: Today, Americans continue to celebrate New Year's with parties, singing "Auld Lang Syne," and making resolutions to improve themselves in the coming year. 
• These traditions have evolved over time, but the spirit of renewal and hope that New Year's Day embodies remains central to American culture.

As we embark on a New Year, let's take some time to pray for our fellow man. We've lost some good people this year. Pray for their souls. I think life has always had its challenges. History shows us the resilience of the human condition and how we've thrived in spite of great adversity. Each generation lives longer. That's because we continue to strive to do better. Don't let the world get you down. Spend more time in nature. Be grateful. Write down your thoughts. Set new goals. Do better. Happy New Year. I love you.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

I will return to my usual newsletter format in the New Year. Thank you for your support in 2025. You can now follow me on Substack at https://substack.com/@christinelarkin1 

I'll leave you with this amazing song, Someday We'll All Be Free by Donny Hathaway. If an error comes up, just click the arrow to the right and it should play. Enjoy. 

Lyrics

Hang onto the world as it spins around
Just don't let the spin get you down
Things are moving fast
Hold on tight and you will last
Keep your self-respect, you're man, the pride
Get yourself in gear, keep your stride
Never mind your fears
Brighter days will soon be here
Take it from me someday, we'll all be free, yeah
Keep on walking tall, hold your head up high
And lay your dreams right up to the sky
Sing your greatest song
And you'll keep, going, going on
Take it from me someday, we'll all be free, yeah
Hey, just wait and see someday we'll all be free, yeah
Take it from me, someday we'll all be free
It won't be long, take it from me someday we'll all be free
Take it from me, take it from me, take it from me...