A psychological second of change
The difference between December 31, 2013, to January 1, 2014, is one second.
As the clock struck midnight, fireworks exploded to the utter shock of animals and across the globe celebrations erupted in the streets, on the beaches, in clubs and in homes.
Champagne corks were popped, and for some far too much alcohol was consumed – leading to erratic behaviour and memories best forgotten.
The jubilation that comes with the celebrations remains, however, a phenomenon, after all, what really is the difference between 2013 and 2014?
Yet, magically, when the clock ticks one second past midnight, Harry Potter’s magic wand is waved and people suddenly forget the past is forgotten. Hope is renewed, optimism skyrockets and a jaded mind gets a new lease on life.
But the one second that ushered in 2014 thanks to the Roman calendar in the West is sadly not a magical tonic for the blues, and neither does it act like a genie in a bottle who can make our woes vanish along with a pyrotechnic display.
There is usually that one week of hype following the New Year celebrations, but soon the unresolved issues of 2013 catch up with us, reminding us that the magical one second is really all about our state of mind.
How else to explain the sudden belief that all will be great and that the New Year will be loaded with exhilarating blessings, even though reality haunts us like Stephen King’s crazed dog Cujo?
Across the globe, and right here in the Rainbow Nation where citizens are slowly shaking off the rust of the holidays, we tend to make inspiring resolutions bolstered by a joyous resolve.
We promise ourselves to live and eat healthily, drink less, quit smoking, be a better person, love more, get a new job, finish writing that book, see the world and so the list continues.
As the seconds tick by as the year rolls along lazily, many of these resolves gradually fade, yet we remain determined that the following year, when the clock moves past midnight on December 31, 2014, all will be better.
Such is the nature of the optimism of man when it comes to the magical second when all will change wonderfully in the blink of an eye, unlike Cinderella’s misfortune when her magical ride changed into a pumpkin at midnight.
Even though we would like to believe in the one second phenomena, come 2014 South Africa still faces a myriad of challenges.
The e-toll gantries still stand, service delivery remains shoddy, murder is rife, power outages continue to infuriate residents, and the cost of living spikes weekly.
We thus quickly return from the land of make-believe to harsh reality.
By the beginning of January, the death toll on the roads nationally over the festive season reached around 1200, which is no reason for any celebrations. This is the sad and cruel truth of our times – our holidays destroy families.
While many matric pupils will be over the moon with their results, the reality is how many of them will one day find work and flourish in a career?
This is also the year of elections, which from a political perspective, will be interesting to observe to see what will transpire. This remarkable democratic event also holds hope and the promise of a brighter future, but when all the fanfare subsides like the New Year’s celebrations, will we be prospering as a nation?
In ancient Roman religion and myth, Janus is the god of beginnings and transitions, hence also of gates, doors, passages, endings and time. He is usually depicted as having two faces, since he looks to the future and to the past.
The Romans therefore named the month of January in his honour.
With this in mind, it would be wise to adopt an attitude where we look back like Janus to take stock of what has happened, what has not been achieved, what errors we have made and the moments of joy we have experienced, but then at the same time close that gate to rather push forward to embrace a new chapter in our lives.
Even though there is no difference between the end and beginning of 2013 and 2014, only psychological nuances of change, let us learn from our mistakes, build on successes and make sure our resolutions are not mere illusions of grandeur but tangible goals.
The one second has passed on, so now is the time to take hold of 2014 with great boldness and courage, because we are going to need every ounce of it.
