Turning the calendar into a new year always presents endless possibilities.
As we look back at the year that was, reviewing and internalizing all the changes in the world, it's easy to wonder what's next? What does the new year have for all of us? How will our lives become easier and what unforeseen challenges are going to make them more complicated?
As the planet begins another trek around the sun, people everywhere are making resolutions in an effort to shape and create the world around them rather than have it molded by others. A new year inspires an imagination's worth of possibilities, and it's natural for all of us to desire to seize the opportunities we know about while also being prepared to latch on to spontaneous adventures as they present themselves.
That's what we really need to be prepared for in 2014, then again in 2015, 2016 and ever forward.
We can make predictable and boring resolutions for self-improvement. We can resolve to be more charitable and volunteer our precious time for people and causes that really need it. There's nothing wrong with that. It's hardcoded in our systems to want to set goals and create some order and routine in our lives.
But looking back at 2013, think about all the things we didn't plan that happened anyway. There are new opportunities almost every day that we didn't plan.
The year ahead is full of the unpredictable. I've written previously about saying yes to the new things that come up in our lives, and I think it's still an incredibly rewarding idea. It's also a little bit necessary because the days, months and years ahead are so unpredictable.
There is lots to look forward to in 2014. Maybe you're boycotting the Olympics because it looks like it's one enormous mess, but many others can't wait to see people bobsledding. If you love remakes of movies from the 1980s, there's a new RoboCop, a Godzilla reboot and 22 Jump Street.
I'm more looking forward to The Grand Budapest Hotel, myself.
In the music world, there are upcoming albums from Coldplay, Foo Fighters and Adele. I'm still holding out for a release from Tool.
There are plenty of other novels, comic books and video games being released in the upcoming calendar year and there is something for everyone to consume and enjoy.
But that's all stuff that we know is going to be available to us in 2014. I'm much more interested in what we don't know is coming and whatever it is, I want to be open to the experience. I want to be ready for new things or prepared to help someone who is asking for assistance.
I'm making no predictions for 2014. I'm not much for prognostications. I just know great things are going to happen, and weird things are going to happen. The coming year is going to present things that nobody can predict, and that's great, because in a connected world where all of humanity's collective knowledge rests in our pockets - or on our dinner tables - there is still a little bit of wonder in the world.
There is still wonder in 2014, and I'm excited to see what it has to offer.
