They say when one door closes, another one opens. Sometimes it's a window that opens. The portal does not matter. The substance is the same.
We believe about these sorts of clichs and axioms at the end of a year. The end of an arbitrary designation on the calendar leads to the origin of another.
These are man-made delineations, meaningless in the grander scheme of things. I think we humans need imaginary stops and starts. Without them, life would look like an endless run-on sentence. Be thankful for that occasional exclamation point.
But, somehow, this year seems more pregnant with change. It is as if the calendar is in sync with our local world.
This December, three couples that I know married. Those are personal landmarks, but truly significant. In some ways other people's nuptials affect all those who are about them. We get wrapped up in the joy and sincerely wish them well.
Other people's "I do's" usually lead us to remember about our own marriages. Good or bad, wonderful or horrid, those marriage memories surface at the declaration of anyone's wedding . or divorce. We witnessed a pair of those in 2010, as well.
In a more public vein, our city recently learned that James Tsismanakis will provide the Columbus Lowndes County Convention and Visitors Bureau. He will have his loss only a pair of weeks after the end of a very bumpy year. That way the CVB may be without a leader for several months. The hunting for his successor has not yet begun.
The Columbus Arts Council has been sans an executive director since May. I can't think how they operate under those circumstances. Maybe this class will transport them a substantial new leader.
Quite a few New Years have number and gone since David Bowie sang about changes. "Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes, turn and present the strain." Well, except for ostriches, we are all forced to "face the strain." Too bad we can't just bury our heads in the sand.
I weary of earshot that "variety is good." It may be right for diapers, but for most other things, change is terrifying. Humans know the status quo. We dislike being nudged out of our comfort zone. Eventually, we may see a passage as positive. Usually, that is eons after the experience. Personal growth? No, thank you.
The new year is upon us, whether I wish it or not. 2011 promises personal adjustments of heroic proportions. This class I will receive a new boss, I will be old enough to use for Social Security and I will proceed to get older - but, not necessarily gracefully.
I charge you all my best wishes for a really happy new year. May 2011 be tolerant to you, and may those doors close gently behind you. Let's just hope we can say the book "changes" without stuttering like David Bowie.
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