MIND OF MURPH: "Happy New Year" (but which 'year')?

by

A funny thing happened as I sat down to write this little 'Happy New Year' wish to all of you.  I was looking for a "Happy New Year" image to post, and when I opened up the internet I was overcome by the fact that there were not only images of 'HNY' wishes for the upcoming year (as well as a few from past years) but loads of images for years to come:  2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2030, 2050 even 2070. What is that all about?

They have to be the result of 'retirement planners, or 'financial advisors' or those kinds of people who look past today, and tomorrow for something 'bigger and better', but I ask you, 'isn't life precious enough at this exact moment in time?'  We never know what tomorrow brings, and while we wish everyone a 'prosperous New Year' as a part of singing 'auld lang syne'1, we mostly don't even think about the very meaning of that song:

"Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should auld acuaintance be forgot, an auld lang syne! For auld lang syne, my dear; for auld lang syne. We'll take a cup o' kindness yet, for auld lang syne."

Most people on NYE think this has something to do with 'forgetting the past' and just focusing on the future, but that isn't the meaning at all..in fact quite to the contrary. The first sentence ends in a '?-mark', it isn't about forgetting but rather it is all about remembrance of that which is good, the friendships and relationships that have driven our lives in the past (most notably the past year) and then extending a 'cup of good will (kindness) to the 'health and welfare' of those who have meant so much to us, thus wishing them the best for the upcoming year to come.

I for one don't ever want to 'forget' what has past, as I look forward to the New Year; I want to say 'thank goodness' for all that has meant so much, while at the same time sounding-out a hearty 'cheer to all that will mean so much to come'; for I am confident that each of you will continue to be blessings in my 2016 and beyond, just as I hope that I can continue to be a 'beneficiary' to you.

So from myself, and everyone at Insightful Accountant, "Thanks to you all for a Great 2015, and a Most Prosperous and Happy New Year for your 2016!"

.

Murph

1 - 'Auld Lang Syne', a Scots poem by Robert Burns (1788), set to a traditional folk song by William Shield sometime around 1776, with several noted variations since such time.