But will it usher in the beginning of a new stage of growth and maturity, or one of angst, rebellion and conflict?
Our century is entering into its teen years. And like all pre-teens, it seems like it's in an awful hurry to get there. And it's no wonder.
In the past twelve years, as a species, we've come quite a way. And so have I.
I've started getting the feeling that I'm entering into my second teenage phase.
Like the rest of the world, I've experienced the wonders and the horrors of this century so far with such robust joy and deep sorrow as I would never have imagined.
I've had experiences which have made me weaker, and those that have made me stronger.
And through it all, I, like the world around me, have persevered. We've made it.
For me, personally, the past twelve years were like my first twelve years of life. I had to learn so much right from scratch.
From 2000 to 2002, I began to become acclimated to my new home state in a very different climate, both in terms of weather and culture. I solidified and intensified bonds with brand new friends while diminishing the influence of friends and family from the old homestead. I was reborn, in my thirties, as a Floridian.
Like all toddlers, I had to endure structure and guidelines in order to learn, but I reacted poorly to appropriate discipline imposed upon me due to childish and inconsiderate behavior. This cost me to lose a lot of what I'd held onto as near and dear. And in order to grow, I had to let go.
From 2002 to 2005, I struggled with the imposition of discipline and the impetus towards selfishness. And though they were rough years, they were ultimately to become the formative years, in the redevelopment and enrichment of my psyche.
Now it was time for some formal elementary schooling. I had to learn how to avoid potential pitfalls during a vulnerable stage, navigate through the rigors of pre-conceptions and expectations, hone interactivity skills to garner favor and prestige and keep ever-prescient the goal to succeed at learning as much as could be.
From 2005 to 2011, like a child going from grade to grade, I moved from job to job, learning new and diverse lessons in each "class". Each one taught me more about aspects of the next one because when it all boils down to it, experience does matter. Frustrations from one year could either escalate in the next or be alleviated almost entirely, but this was just like in school, no two years were alike.
But as in a youngster's transition from elementary to middle school, I soon started to get the hang of things. I was able to play the system to some degree and zero in on areas of interest that pointed towards more long-term goals.
From 2011 to present, it's like I've finally met with my guidance counselor and had a say in the courses I'd be obligated to take. There's still a lot of structure, and discipline is just around the corner, but multi-year plans are more predictable. And so is my response to challenges and adversity.
Much like my previous 12-year old self, I feel ready to take on new tasks with vigor and confidence. This had been lacking for much of the past few years.
And maybe I sense that the world is with me on this. Perhaps we all are ready to embark on our teenaged years together with renewed enthusiasm and optimism?
Remember the first time around? We all wanted to get to our 18th birthday. We just KNEW, we didn't even doubt, that once we got there, the world would be our oyster.
So here's to the dawn of 2013! Let's enjoy the journey and learn from our experiences, good and bad. 'Cause I know, certainly, by the time we reach 2018, we're going to find our shining pearl.
Our century is entering into its teen years. And like all pre-teens, it seems like it's in an awful hurry to get there. And it's no wonder.
In the past twelve years, as a species, we've come quite a way. And so have I.
I've started getting the feeling that I'm entering into my second teenage phase.
Like the rest of the world, I've experienced the wonders and the horrors of this century so far with such robust joy and deep sorrow as I would never have imagined.
I've had experiences which have made me weaker, and those that have made me stronger.
And through it all, I, like the world around me, have persevered. We've made it.
For me, personally, the past twelve years were like my first twelve years of life. I had to learn so much right from scratch.
From 2000 to 2002, I began to become acclimated to my new home state in a very different climate, both in terms of weather and culture. I solidified and intensified bonds with brand new friends while diminishing the influence of friends and family from the old homestead. I was reborn, in my thirties, as a Floridian.
Like all toddlers, I had to endure structure and guidelines in order to learn, but I reacted poorly to appropriate discipline imposed upon me due to childish and inconsiderate behavior. This cost me to lose a lot of what I'd held onto as near and dear. And in order to grow, I had to let go.
From 2002 to 2005, I struggled with the imposition of discipline and the impetus towards selfishness. And though they were rough years, they were ultimately to become the formative years, in the redevelopment and enrichment of my psyche.
Now it was time for some formal elementary schooling. I had to learn how to avoid potential pitfalls during a vulnerable stage, navigate through the rigors of pre-conceptions and expectations, hone interactivity skills to garner favor and prestige and keep ever-prescient the goal to succeed at learning as much as could be.
From 2005 to 2011, like a child going from grade to grade, I moved from job to job, learning new and diverse lessons in each "class". Each one taught me more about aspects of the next one because when it all boils down to it, experience does matter. Frustrations from one year could either escalate in the next or be alleviated almost entirely, but this was just like in school, no two years were alike.
But as in a youngster's transition from elementary to middle school, I soon started to get the hang of things. I was able to play the system to some degree and zero in on areas of interest that pointed towards more long-term goals.
From 2011 to present, it's like I've finally met with my guidance counselor and had a say in the courses I'd be obligated to take. There's still a lot of structure, and discipline is just around the corner, but multi-year plans are more predictable. And so is my response to challenges and adversity.
Much like my previous 12-year old self, I feel ready to take on new tasks with vigor and confidence. This had been lacking for much of the past few years.
And maybe I sense that the world is with me on this. Perhaps we all are ready to embark on our teenaged years together with renewed enthusiasm and optimism?
Remember the first time around? We all wanted to get to our 18th birthday. We just KNEW, we didn't even doubt, that once we got there, the world would be our oyster.
So here's to the dawn of 2013! Let's enjoy the journey and learn from our experiences, good and bad. 'Cause I know, certainly, by the time we reach 2018, we're going to find our shining pearl.