Years ago, I remember watching the DVD extras for Cars. That movie really spoke to me and one of the songs became a theme song for my family’s August vacation in 2006. On the extras, the director confirmed what I had thought about as I watched the film. He said that his hope for the movie was he wanted to try and touch a memory of the America that used to be.
Did you see the movie? It was about the famous Route 66 (sure, it was about NASCAR also, but not really) and the fact that “once upon a time,” the USA was a very different place. It was a place of community, of connection, of partnership. Long ago, prior to the 1890s, we used to be so much more in tune with the rhythms of the world and our place in it. This idea is, of course, a connection back to a time before the massive urban cities, back before most people left the land for various reasons. This notion of a connection to the seasons of the year can be used to get a better grasp on how to think and plan through New Years.
Ember Days
We all know about the planning and resolutions of New Years. It seems that the first week of January is the main time that most people think about, well, thinking ahead in life. And, it’s largely pointless. I mean, its nice to do if you don’t do it any other time, but in general terms, most people simply cannot plan 12 months ahead. And, the goals made are usually out of context of life and end up either being too large or have no real plan for execution. But, by looking back at the history of the West, we can glean a better plan.
As the Church became the social glue in a Europe no longer connected through the power and protection of the Roman Empire, the Church took pains to give form to the rhythms of the seasons. Most people, whether Christian or not, could appreciate the turning of the seasons and many cultures celebrated those moments. We really had no clocks, not even calendars; just the seasons to tell us the time. The Church desired to take those periods and connected them in a deeper way to God. The church leaders attempt to tie in the seasons became known as the Ember Days.
The idea was of a 3 day celebration, fasting and feasting, giving individuals a specific time to reset and replenish the soul in response to the dawning of a new season of life. The word “ember” refers not to coals or fire, but is a corruption of the Latin quattor tempora (four seasons) or the Old English ymbren (periodic or recurring). For us in 2011, fast-paced, Twitterfied USA, we no longer really connect to seasons, but to our cultural holidays (which are close to the seasonal swings).
Modern Ember Days
The New Year period (really Christmas through New Year) is the first (or last depending on how you look at it) of the yearly Ember Days (Easter, Memorial Day, and Labor Day are the other 3 times) in the modern, USA understanding of “seasons.” So, in my first post to you this year about how to Live Well, that you take time to stop, reflect and pray.
Reflect on the last season of your life, from Labor Day to now. Think of the positive things; consider areas where you were a champion. Reflect on those things you could have done better; note areas where God is trying to show you something or change something in you. Mostly, remember the time and how you spent it.
Then, turn your attention ahead—pray through what God may be pointing you towards; place your spirit in a submissive attitude for the challenges He has ahead of you. Even if you aren’t a Christian, think of the journey to come in the next 3 months, the steps that you wish to make in your life, with your goals, plans or dreams. Be specific. If you are still thinking of larger goals that will take more than 3 months, let that goal be an “umbrella goal” and then break it down into more manageable steps. Isolate the first (or next) of those steps that you can achieve in this first season of 2011.
If you are a Christian, I urge you to remind your spirit about Prov 3:5-6–“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” This, by the way, is a powerful idea of how to find direction for your future plans. And at the end, prepare to rejoice for each day as yet another day of life. It is His gift to you!
Let me reiterate that, for many, the aim now is to goal-set for the year. That’s fine of course, but I urge you NOT to spend too much time on some yearly goals. Most of those get far away from us and we then feel bad for failing or think goal setting is a waste of time. Instead, just think about the season ahead between this Ember Days and the next (Easter, which this year is very late, April 24–in fact, it’s so late, you might consider the Mardi Gras period [start of Lent is March 9]). Then, do write down at least 2 or 3 goals that emerged from the time spent reflecting over this weekend.
The time is now. You are ready to move forward towards new tasks, new classes, and new experiences. But pause first–reflect and sense the seasons change.