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New Year's Eve / Day is probably my favorite holiday of the year. Something profound occurs when people feel that they've been given the chance to start over. No other date universally marks the passing of what is old in exchange for the beginning of something new like New Year's Day does. 2008 has been a dark, dismal year for many. To me, 2008 is the year of the culmination of many moral, social and economic failures. The new year is certain to hold more bad news, but even knowing this, I believe there is still great reason for optimism. This is what I chose to dwell on, and this is what I'd like to write about for my "predictions for 2009." There are many reasons to have hope for the future, here are my top 3:
1. A change in the heart of the American people. I believe the past 20 years will be regarded in American history as being full of self-destructive selfishness and greed. Alan Greenspan is probably in the best position to explain this as he was in the center of this greed for most of this time and in part bears some of the blame. Recently he testified in congress that he had no idea that companies would sacrifice their long-term viability for short term gain (paraphrased). I think this sums up the past 20 years as Americans have only been concerned with the current billing cycle instead of doing what is best for the long term.
Why I'm optimistic now is that despite our governments best efforts, Americans are refusing to go further into debt personally and in fact are paying off debt at record rates. It seems that the American public is wiser than our government leaders. This is great news!
2. The youth of today. I'm a Gen-X'er. My parents' generation (the Boomers) have long been regarded as the "Me Generation". My childrens' generation (the Mosaics) are now regarded as the "We Generation". As my kids are maturing, I'm seeing a shift away from the self-obsession that was typical for the Baby Boomers. My kids are just now coming of age so this is only going to get better. I don't want to offend anyone from the baby boom generation, but it's time for a different approach.
My childrens' generation is much more diverse and more caring for those around them. Instead of looking at a situation and only trying to decide what they can get out of it for themselves, they are more concerned with the long term ramifications and feel a greater responsibility for those around them. I see this in the schools, I see this at my local church, and this is also great news.
3. God is in control. Of course this is not new. It was true at the beginning of 2008 and 1908 and millennia before. Regardless of what you believe to be the state of the U.S. economy, the state of your employment, the state of your family, your health and your relationships, God being in control is far better than if you or I were in control.
I believe that understanding that God is in control frees us up to walk away from the past and work toward our greatest potential for the future. To me, this is what the New Year is all about, and this is really good news!
To be sure, there are some hard days ahead in 2009. I've heard that the first step to overcoming a problem is admitting there is a problem. Well, pretty much everyone in the United States has admitted there is a problem. The Bible says "where sin abounds, grace does that much more abound". Because of this, I have to believe that even in the darkest days, there is reason to be optimistic.
My prediction for 2009: Better days are ahead. I sincerely hope you can join with me in optimistic expectation.
You know Bruce, I've been waiting for the world to begin living in the new world. To me we have been in a new world since 1972, like you I am hopeful we began to live like human beings with love and concern for each other.
Doesn't it have to get better before it gets worse??? Someone once said that New Year's resolutions are just writing a check on a non-existent account.
But I agree with you--I'm very optomistic for a great year headed our way.
I don't know, maybe it's already been better. But then again I've learned a long time ago that I can't really call something bad or good, because too often it turns out the other way around.
I like your take on the new year. There is cause for optimism as I look at my kid's generation. I'm not wild about the boomer stereotype but I have a tough time being objective since I am one. And I'm very glad that I'm not in control. Steve
Yeah, and I don't like the fact that they call my generation "the slackers", but like all stereotypes I guess there is at least a little truth in it. Thanks for your comments!
I'm with you! May this grace that abounds continue to turn hearts to look out for one another instead of just ourselves. All God's best to you in 2009 :-)
I've loved that verse since I was a teenager. I think that one thing that it means is that no matter how bad things are, we have no excuse to go along with the doom-and-gloom crowd. The most incredible stories I've ever heard were stories of Christians under the most oppressive set of circumstances.
Nicely done, Bruce. I have to admit I was surprised at first when the Wall Street Journal reported yet another bad economic sign- people were paying down debt and saving money!
Bruce, Great article and you are right: it is time for hope. I question your generation however. You may be correct about the babyboomers: my parents tried to give us everything; whereas, my generation (the babyboomers) did give you everything. My advice for your generation is to learn to say no and let your kids be kids (for as long as possible.)
Thanks Nancy. I don't think it's possible for parents to give their kids everything. I believe every generation needs to at some point be able to fight their own battles, otherwise they won't really understand what is important and what is not.
As my kids are getting older, it's been hard to see them start to fend for themselves, but this is what Jean and I have been raising them for and someday they will be totally independent. It just seems like that day comes way too fast.
Good job Bruce. I enjoy reading the articles of optimism and even though I am more pessimistic, it makes me feel better. I have some pretty bad memories of coming out of the great depression and these days, the symptoms are very similar. But I won't ruin your day, and just say that I pray you are 100% correct. Thanks much for the progress Searchwarp has made.
I know that I am a natural pessimist, so sometimes I just have to chose to be optimistic, trying to heed the Philippians 4:8 imperative.
I'm surprised that we haven't heard more comparisons between this economic crisis and the Great Depression.. there are a lot of similarities that have gone unreported or at least under-reported. I believe that there are some definate lessons that need to be learned and if we don't learn them now, when will we?
I enjoyed reading your article Bruce and it certainly is a feel better article......I certainly hope for the US that things go better with your New President. Thanks for writing a positive article
Thanks for your comments, Kathy. I believe that even in the deepest depths of despair, there will always be good reasons to look up expect good things to happen. I think my life is living proof of that.
True, I forgot about that terrible incident your family had........Yes there is good in everything, sometimes hard to see........isn't that what the Ying Yang symbol stands for? In every thing good there is a bit of bad and in everything bad there is a bit of good.
Bravo Bruce and Happy New Year's to you and your family! I agree, and we know where there are two or three agreeing ... especially where the children are concerned.
Bruce, all significant changes that actually will be part of any worthwhile change. I also believe fully that your last comment is the real significant reason. As you know, I would rather call the last 40 years a conversion and indoctrination period in which we all participated. However, I concur it all starts with us. My only question, I know you have started, but do you think the rest will? Good job and best wishes? Robert.
Thanks for your comments Robert. I believe that change is inevitable
and that too often change is called bad when it is actually good. I've
been thinking about what St. Paul meant when he said "I know what it is
to live with plenty, I know what it is to live in need. I have learned
that I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."
The best thing about change is that it many choose to look to God in uncertain times. I pray that's what is going on now.
Bruce, I like your outlook for the year. I feel different already, and the people I know are excited about this new year like I didn't notice they were at the start of 2008. Thanks for the article. I wish you a healthy new year! ~mogama~
While we seem to be in troubled times (economically, socially and with the increased threat of terrorism), I share...and I think many others do too... your sense of optimism. I think, and hope, that the troubles of the world will help unite people, rebuilding a sense of community beyond racial, religious, and national lines - all pulling together as human beings to make things better! I don't think it will be easy, but I'm optimistic that we can change things for the better.
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