Coach's Corner

Learning From the Past

Ever since I was a child, I have LOVED the Christmas holidays. I’ve always viewed the season as a time that brings a little magic to the world. Suddenly, between December 1st and January 1st the world falls under a beautiful ‘spell’. Enchanted by the season, people begin to magically smile more, give more, gather together, and welcome new hopes and beginnings with the coming of a New Year. It’s almost surreal to watch the world transform in such a way. Together, we wait for Christmas to arrive and ready ourselves to embrace the coming of a New Year.

Preparing for the celebration of the New Year has always been the same. On New Year’s Eve, I find myself filled with anticipation watching that magnificent ball of lights slowly drop; yet shockingly, every time the chandelier reaches the end of its journey and I hear the crowds begin to sing ‘Auld Lang Syne’, I can’t help but feel a little sad.

With the rest of the holiday season barreling forward, pushing us to continually pursue the future, New Years is like a pause button, directing the world’s attention to the things gone by. This year many people will be thinking about lost loved ones, amazed at how fast their children have grown, and reminiscing on the many stories that infiltrated the news. Understandably, this can be rather sad. But with another year closing, one does not have to merely be sad. Moments of reminiscing can in fact help us look to the future with hope.

We don’t have to look back and think, “if only it were the good old days again.” Instead, we can learn from our mistakes and ready ourselves for a healthy future. On New Year’s life’s moments begin to show their ‘true colours’. Significant moments of the past become apparent unlike any other day of the year. We begin to discern what was most important and determine what wasn’t; for example, that time you may have embarrassed yourself, or said something silly no longer holds any weight. Instead, moments like your child’s first steps, your graduation, family time, the moments you laughed so hard it hurt or helped someone in need are counted as most important. So when we look into the future, we should first look into the past and remember what is going to matter most. There is much to learn from our pasts and much to hope for in the future.  


Posted January 01, 2012