What makes one night more special than another night – one moment more magical? By agreement, we organize our lives and our collective history by days, months, years, decades, and millenniums. We pass from one interval to another at observable moments, but because these events, such as New Year’s Eve and the dawn of a new year exist arbitrarily, they cannot possess their own magic. We may not stop to think about it, but the drama of such a moment {strong enough to command the hopeful, crazed and contemplative attention of whole societies) is fueled by none other than you and I and the staggering power of our collective intention. Kind of makes you feel strong doesn’t it?
Einstein
At moments like these, we love to look back, reflect, and glean some meaning from our preceding history. We remember outstanding individuals who have “left their mark” on society. Albert Einstein, generally considered to be Man of the Century, is credited with having pioneered the very concept of our modern physical reality.
We respect his work as representing the pinnacle of human thought. Ironically, after having received a teaching degree, Einstein failed to impress the academics and couldn’t secure a teaching post at a university. While working at a patent office, however, Einstein continued to apply his great imagination and capacity for original thought to the realm of physical science. After developing several pivotal essays on theoretical physics, Einstein was recognized and awarded a doctorate from the University of Zurich.
Mandela
Nelson Mandela led the revolution to transform the South African model of racial division and oppression into an open democracy during the last century, but would also deflect our admiration saying, “I was not a Messiah, but an ordinary man who had become a leader because of extraordinary circumstances.”
So, with this in mind, as we greet that self-created monster mirage of a magical moment on New Year’s Eve, let’s reflect on these words from Nelson Mandela’s 1994 Inaugural Speech:
“And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Happy New Year! Look forward to 2019 with an open heart, an open mind,