Blast from the Past — It’s 2011, so WHAT???
Today, I had to encourage someone I love not to give in to the anxiety that comes with the beginning of a new year. As we were talking, I remembered I once wrote about entering into a new year. The old days when I used to be a consistent and faithful writer, how I long for such days. I hadn’t read the article since the year I wrote it and as I read it, I could not help but stan the Odun of 2011. Odun of 2020/2021 isn’t shabby either, she’s still consistent, LOL. Anyway, I decided to share the article here because I know someone else needs this. It’s 2021 so what?? I’ll let the wise Odun from the past do the rest of the talking.
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In case you were thinking that I made the title shocking to attract you to read my article, you are so wrong, I really do mean every word of the title, however, read through to the end before you decide to stone me. I am not a kill-joy, neither am I a pessimist but I do believe little changed between 11.59 pm Friday, December 31, 2010, and 12.00 am Saturday, January 1, 2011, except for probably where people found themselves at that time. For most Nigerians, it was probably in one church or the other while for the rest of the world; it was with family at some location admiring fireworks display or getting drunk at a club or a party. Irrespective of location, I wonder if after all the excitement, screams, revelling, dancing, drinking, eating and rejoicing because the calendar now read 1/1/2011, life took a dramatic turn? Did the world change for good? Did the universe make a pivotal spin and decide to perch at a new angle? Was there suddenly world peace? Did global warming (now called climate change) cease? Did corruption end in Nigeria? Did NEPA* decide to #lightupNigeria? Did PDP* decide not to rig at the 2011 elections? Did Odunoluwa lose weight? Did she win Miss Universe? I THINK NOT! My people will say “how has it affected the price of fish in the market?”
Truth and stark reality is nothing has changed. A new year just like a new second, or minute, or hour, or day, or week or month is simply a measurement of time and has no associated magic or charm that reverses or renews lives and situations. Because it is a new year, life is not going to get better, neither is it going to get worse. Because it is a new year, there won’t be a sudden zest for living that will transform an otherwise mundane or under accomplished life. Because it is a new year, no inner inspiration or outward impartation is going to come upon anybody to complete an otherwise unfinished project or begin a new one. Ever wondered why for the vast majority, New Year resolutions are thrown out of the window by the second week in January, okay, I’ll be generous and stretch it to February. You need not be a Socrates, an Aristotle or an Odunoluwa to figure out why that happens.
As you have probably figured out by now, I absolutely do not believe in making New Year resolutions. How can a well-formed and developed thinking adult think that because it is 2011, (s)he is going to drop some bad habits or (s)he will develop new ones. Do you in your heart of hearts think because it is a Tuesday, you will stop a habit you indulged in the Monday before? COMMON!! Making any form of resolutions, be it new second or new minute should not be because the second or minute is new, it should be a determined and well-thought-out decision having justified the reason(s) for making that resolution.
As I mentioned earlier, the year just like other time parameters such as seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks and months is simply a standard of measurement. It is for measuring blocks of time as miles or meters is for measuring distance. You are probably thinking I do not believe in celebrating the new year, on the contrary, I do think it should be celebrated if you are so inclined (me, I am so inclined, I appreciate every opportunity to count my blessings or give thanks), I celebrate it the same way I will celebrate my birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas or any other occasion. It’s simply a day which provides an opportunity to mark a milestone, a day to reflect, a day to bless someone, a day to show your love for another, a day to pray for someone, a day to party and for some it might actually be an opportunity to think and make decisions but nothing happens simply because it is a new year.
I know a few of my friends may consider my next assertion blasphemous but think about it before you crucify me, God is not going to do anything new in your life because it is a new year! I’m sorry but I am neither a fan nor a believer of yearly slogans. Haba!* How dare you limit my God in time! He is bigger than time, he is not bound by any standards, be it time, place or whatever!! He dwells in eternity!!! A miracle isn’t going to happen in 2011 because it is 2011, NO WAY, it is going to happen because my timeless God says it will happen and that just so happens to be in the year 2011 or in June, or on a Wednesday or at 10.47 am. He is ALWAYS on time, so how can he be bound by years?
Do not get me wrong, my assertion isn’t that having expectations or making plans based on years is wrong, if not for the measurement of time, how else will I be able to organize my life or make plans or have friends, family and foe ask “Odun, when are you getting married”? But in my opinion, that is all there is to 2011, 2020 or any other year, day or month etc. The start of a new year is an opportunity to celebrate life and be thankful for circumstances. It is simply a measurement of life and milestones achieved.
I know not everyone agrees with me, in fact, I am certain I have offended some sensibilities, I have absolutely no apologies, as I said in my “Re-induction into blogging” piece which you can read at http://dunzysworld.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-re-introduction-into-blogging.html, “it’s my parry, I can cry if I want to, cry if I want to” ;)
Please visit again!
- Originally posted on dunzy’s world
- Can you imagine I referenced 2020 way back in 2011? If only I had known it was not a year to be trifled with or mentioned in vain, now it has my utmost respect.
