Personally, 2011 started off for me with a 360-degree view of a horizon line exploding with fireworks as we welcomed in the new year with corks popping and toasts on a rooftop. Katy Perry’s “Fireworks” was playing, and it became my–and I suspect many people’s–unofficial theme song for ushering in 2012.
And, boy, what a year 2011 was. Unpredictable, exhilarating, shocking, euphoric, thrilling, chaotic…in a word, explosive. If there was ever a year that defied expectations, 2011 was it, and it kept us all on our toes with its, sometimes, short fuse. 2011 was the year when we were definitively told we were NOT in the driver’s seat, when hairpin turns and dizzying curves became the norm, and when occasionally finding ourselves turned upside down was not out of the ordinary (thankfully I’m a big fan of theme park rides, so I’ve learned to just let go, put my hands up, and enjoy the wild ride!).
Looking back, I don’t think I’ve ever grown as much in understanding the amazing capacity for wonder–and horror–that our world holds. And the amazing capacity for creativity–and destruction–that humanity is capable of as well. As we bid 2011 adieu , I’ve realized that it’s not the end of the world, but it IS the end of the world as we know it. And the beginning of a whole new reality, one we can create together, begins as we countdown to the much awaited year of 2012.
Happy 2012 everyone! We made it 🙂
