Daily Jots

Thought of the Day:
“New Year’s eve is like every other night; there is no pause in the march of the universe, no breathless moment of silence among created things that the passage of another twelve months may be noted; and yet no man has quite the same thoughts this evening that come with the coming of darkness on other nights.”
Hamilton Wright Mabie

Thinking Outside of the Box:
“Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days of auld lang syne?

“And days of auld lang syne, my dear,
And days of auld lang syne.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days of auld lang syne?

“We twa hae run aboot the braes
And pu’d the gowans fine.
We’ve wandered mony a weary foot,
Sin’ auld lang syne.

“Sin’ auld lang syne, my dear,
Sin’ auld lang syne,
We’ve wandered mony a weary foot,
Sin’ auld ang syne.

“We twa hae sported i’ the burn,
From morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid hae roared
Sin’ auld lang syne.

“Sin’ auld lang syne, my dear,
Sin’ auld lang syne.
But seas between us braid hae roared
Sin’ auld lang syne.

“And ther’s a hand, my trusty friend,
And gie’s a hand o’ thine;
We’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

“For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.”

There’s something about this song. Something that makes tears flow and memories wash over us. It gives us the order to say good-bye to so much and to say hello to much more. It closes the books and reopens a new set.

I wish for you a wonderful New Year’s Eve. Don’t overdo it on the party scene. And make your resolutions, but be realistic. If we could all make a resolution to do our part for peace, within ourselves and for our world, it would be enough.

Explanation of one theory of “Auld Lang Syne”
“Auld Lang Syne” is one of those songs that has been around forever. I don’t believe that anyone knows its true origins but this site has some explanation for the Scottish terms that were used when Rabbie Burns in the 18th century adapted it.

Parting Thoughts:
“No one ever regarded the First of January with indifference. It is that from which all date their time, and count upon what is left. It is the nativity of our common Adam.”
Charles Lamb

“Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go.”
Brooks Atkinson

“Time has no divisions to mark its passage, there is never a thunder-storm or blare of trumpets to announce the beginning of a new month or year. Even when a new century begins it is only we mortals who ring bells and fire off pistols.”
Thomas Mann

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language
And next year’s words await another voice.”
Unknown

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