At the beginning of 2008, I wrote about “new beginnings” and how each new year brings with it the chance for us to start with a fresh, clean slate. We make resolutions, vows to change, and reflect on what we will do differently now that a measurable period has passed. While those are true, the never-ending calendar changes also are important for another reason. Our calendar is how we keep track of the events in our lives. In addition to the clock, the calendar is how we track “time” - that obscure measurement of the events in our life. We attempt in some way to measure progress, happiness, achievement, and most other major events, by the flip of a page that hangs on our wall somewhere in our home. We are either looking forward, with happiness or dread, to some upcoming event, or we are reflecting with happiness or a measure of melancholy on the past.

Webster defines “time” (first definition only) as: “the measured or measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues: DURATION (1993 edition).” The dictionary goes on to list thirteen separate definitions for the same word, some with synonyms added in. All of them refer to some type of measurement. AFTER that single-word definition, there are almost sixty (60) more definitions of words wherein “time” is the first part of the word. All of those definitions also refer to some type of timetable/measurement tool whereby we measure certain events.

The importance of the calendar is clear but typically not spoken by most of us. We don’t know how many hairs are on our head, but the fact is that the number is quite specific and finite. So is the truth that we don’t know how many days we will live, but again the number - when it’s all said and done - is also quite specific and finite. So perhaps we each keep a calendar up to subconsciously keep track of our significance in life? Perhaps the passing of each year is a time when we each privately wonder what difference we have made for the better or worse? Or maybe we look at the calendar and wonder about those who have gone on before us? Where they are or what they would have done?

Or maybe sometimes… it’s not that deep at all. Maybe we look at the calendar, realize it’s going to get colder and that we are going to have to turn up the heat. And that, like it or not, the next season is right around the corner….