Nunc fluens facit tempus, nunc stans facit aeternitatum

During the past week, I read two things that felt particularly relevant to New Year’s Day. One was a quote from The Consolation of Philosophy written by statesman and philosopher Boethius 1,500 years ago. He wrote, “Nunc fluens facit tempus, nunc stans facit aeternitatum.” Translation: “The now that passes produces time, the now that remains produces eternity.” It has a very Eastern ring to it, don’t you think? If we plague ourselves with what-ifs or regrets over misspent time, we miss the opportunity to enjoy the moment – all of our moments. And since they are equally fleeting and eternal, satisfaction in life depends on your focus.

I also learned of the Zeigarnik effect, that is, the tendency for interrupted tasks, or unfinished business, to be recalled better than those one has completed – as in remembering last year’s New Year’s resolutions that you did NOT keep. We all do this and we’re really good at it; we recall our so-called failures, our lapses, our unresolved hurts but we overlook our successful completions, our promises kept, the happy moments we were loved.

Heady stuff!

But then I thought this. As you stitch together the blanket of your life, working the seam between last week and this one, between December and January, between 2023 and 2024, I wish you a stress-free moment; many of them. In fact, I wish for all your stitches to be so swift and light and true that your life's blanket protects you with a lightness of spirit and wraps you in graceful comfort and joy. So,

Whether your moments are now,

or they’re then, or are when,

I wish you a happy this-time –

again and again.

You may celebrate the new year,

the new week, the new day or hour –

what I hope is you’re joyful

and don’t fret or cower.

It’s Monday! It’s January!

It’s 2024!

It’s happening now and

will keep happening more.

You don’t need a list,

‘though resolving is fine.

Just move yourself forward

in your own good time.

Do your best when you can.

Avoid nit-picking strife.

Change your shoulds into wants,

and live your best life. 

© 2024 www.megreilly360.com

1/1/2024