Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot, And Never brought to Mind?
Not everyone had a big sister like mine. She was always different, a song for every occasion, a quote for every event, and grades I could never compete with. She also had philosophies and on life and habits far beyond her years. She worried that I wasn't serious minded enough about life and “helped” me at every turn.
At the end of each year, she felt it important to track our personal progress. Otherwise, she would say, the years would merge together and the end of each year would just be depressing because everyone needs to mark some sort of progress in their life. She kept our lists of goals for the previous year and we reviewed each goal, evaluating where we could have improved, deciding how to further build aspects of ourselves, and setting new goals for the next year. More accurately it was her evaluating and deciding, then ordering my annual improvements. Being a great follower, I went along with the game.
She insisted we reflect back on the good things that occurred each year. That way we would keep our failures and successes in perspective. Each new year became an adventure; we planned progress and prepared to create some happy memories.
Years went by and her progress far outshone my own. We grew up, moved to different states, and seldom see each other any more. Each year about this time, however, I ponder the events of the previous year and evaluate my progress; where I could have improved; what I should improve next year; goals to attain; happiness I have experienced.
Every year I silently thank her for the wisdom of her youth because this ritual transforms a potentially depressing time of year into an exciting event. Reviewing goals from previous years and planning future years always brings to mind my own days of Auld Lang Syne.
