While a bit cool, the weather today, New Year’s Day 2024, was clear. So at around six this morning, I got in the truck with the heater on and headed to Daytona Beach, about twenty-five miles away. Sunrise on the First Day of 2024 was scheduled for 7:18 AM.
There is an “old wives tale” here that at sunrise on News Years Day, Donnie the Dolphin will come up to the surface and gulp for air. If he sees his shadow, we will have a mild winter in central Florida. I wanted to see that for myself, so as the sun’s glare made its way out of the ocean, I was there to check it out. Donnie was there. He saw his shadow. A mild winter is now guaranteed. Great.
On a more serious note, Sunrise on January 1 is a great time to reflect not on the year past but on the year going forward. I stood on the seawall, watched the calm seas and small breaking waves, marveled at the various sea birds busying themselves with breakfast at the edge of the water, and watched tourists and locals on the beach waiting with me for the sun to break over the horizon. (The tourists were easy to spot in the 48-degree temps. They were wearing shorts. The locals were wearing heavy coats, hats and boots.)
Taking a moment like this – in this environment – to think about the year to come is a great exercise. What will the new year bring? How will I respond to the challenges that will be presented? How can I make this new year the best ever for me, my family and my friends? Do I have the resolve, the wit, the drive and energy to do it?
I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. I used to, but like most they are forgotten in the days and weeks that follow. Instead I use this time refocus, decide what is important and what isn’t, and try to keep these things in mind going forward.
There is a lot to do in 2024. And there are some milestones coming up – I turn 70 in May. Barbara and I have already started discussing what we will do for our Fiftieth Anniversary in November 2025 – an epic trip will happen, but where? Cruise? Safari? Hang Gliding? Skiing the Alps? Chillin’ in the Islands? Don’t know, but I am confident we will figure it out in 2024.
And aside from checking with Donnie the Dolphin, the sunrise was beautiful, serene and uplifting. So whether you watch the sun rise from the water, peek over the mountain, lift out of the fields or turn the desert into a thousand colors, take a moment, get out of bed early and find a sunrise. Soon. You won’t regret it.
Happy New Year all from all of us at 924S944.com.
