A new decade has burst on the scene, with revelers making trendy associations with the Roaring 20’s, 20/20 vision, and even Barbara Walters’ old news program called 20/20.
What fun! But of course I would think so: I am one of those people who welcomes the New Year and the chance to turn the page, clean the slate, start anew. Yes, you can argue it is just another day, but I love to grant myself this opportunity to both look back and gaze ahead.
Hindsight, the cliché goes, is 20/20. When we reflect, we experience those ‘Aha’ moments and start to understand how and why things turned out as they did. Or didn’t.
Many think 20/20 means perfect vision, however it actually refers to clarity of vision. And vision at a particular distance (or, you could say, perspective). Making the link to 20/20 even more relevant.
Think of the Johnny Nash song: “I can see clearly now the rain is gone, I can see all obstacles in my way, Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind, It's gonna be a bright, bright, bright; bright sunshiny day.”
The power of New Year’s Day is the power of optimism, of another shot, new goals, adventures, endless opportunities. Grab it, savor it, take advantage of it; milk it for Pete’s sake. ‘Any chance to lift yourself up and have another go at this thing called life.
Roaring 20s
“Let’s Roar Again!” merrymakers chant, eluding to the Roaring 20’s. Yes, a century ago they roared. World War I had ended and the nation hurtled into a ‘freewheeling’ era of plenty and prosperity. At the same time, uncannily, the temperance movement thrust us into 13 years of Prohibition. But that stopped few. Laws and moral standards were tested and defied; the mob mushroomed, speakeasies proliferated, hopped-up fellas danced the Shimmy or Charleston with flappers and molls while they drank bathtub gin. What a dichotomy, those carefree days (and nights) versus the stringency of temperance. And then Wall Street crashed, and the Roaring 20s ended in a whimper.
20/20, indeed, is more clear in reverse. We have no idea what lies ahead, as our forbearers a century ago experienced. Instead we reflect on the past; we learn, we acknowledge, we repent, we move on. And gloriously, we start anew each year, with hope and aspiration.
“Look all around, there's nothing but blue skies. Look straight ahead, there's nothing but blue skies.
Here is that rainbow I've been praying for. It's gonna be a bright, bright, bright; bright sunshiny day.”
Here is that rainbow I've been praying for. It's gonna be a bright, bright, bright; bright sunshiny day.”
Need some inspiration? Check out these quotes here: Inspiration
Here’s to a rousing, roaring 2020!
