It's that time of the year when...

A few days ago a friend encouraged me to go out more often. So out into the cold I went, to the mall. I passed by a bookshop to see if I could find any interesting architecture magazines, or some appealing stationery (I have a soft spot for stationery). As I entered the bookshop there was a shelf full of dairies, year planners, and things of that kind, in different styles, sizes and colors. Along the central aisle was a long line of calendars also various kinds. As I passed by to the magazine section, I thought to myself, "it's that time of the year".

Late December, early January, different people have different things to look forward to. For some, around this time, Christmas is the big thing. Or it's the family reunion.  In places like Japan, it's probably the new year most people look forward to. Of course, on the other hand there could be things you are so not looking forward too. For people like me currently living away from family, it could get pretty lonely. For each one of us this time of the year has different significance.

Personally, Christmas is the big day. Because Jesus was born it makes all the difference in my life from what it could have turned out to be. Christians, don't get lost in the festivities and forget the real meaning of Christmas.

Next for me, in a days time is New Year's Day. It's a milestone for each one of us. Crossing over from one year to another. I am calling New Year's Day a milestone, but have I really made progress since this time last year? The question stands.

During my summer holiday in Tokyo, I bought a sudoku book. I promised myself to do all the 132 puzzles by the time I came back to Tokyo in the winter. Last night as I was packing, I came across it. Still stuck at puzzle 99, I had less than a day to complete 33 puzzles if I was going to achieve my goal. That realization brought me to the other thing about his time of the year.

For some of us this time of the year is a time when we make New Year's resolutions, set goals. These are the units by which we  measure our progress. Of course first comes evaluation of the ending year's goals.

Imagine you enter a completely dark room to play darts. Even the best in the world couldn't hit the bull's eye because even though it is there, you don't know how to get to it. In my evaluation of this year, I felt like I was in that room concerning some things. That is what happens to us when our goals are not clearly defined. It ends up being that time of the year when you remember all the things you wanted to, but never got to do.

It's that time of the year when... Whatever it is you end this sentence with, hopefully something you look forward to every year, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a 2013 full blessings.