[Note: My wife Marla’s shoulder replacement surgery went well (so far, it seems) but she still has a long way to full recovery. She must have strong PICC Line antibiotics given to her intravenously via syringes multiple times per day for 6 weeks (and i am the one giving her these). Additionally, i am helping her with her enteral feedings (via tube feedings to her stomach) multiple times per day (because, at the current time, she is unable to do them herself, with only one functional arm.) The shoulder replacement that they put in is a special antibiotic-emitting kind and she will likely need a whole other “regular” shoulder replacement done (in the same shoulder), with a steel replacement, once this temporary antibiotic replacement fully heals and is bacteria-free. Apparently, the infectious bacteria that caused trouble in the first place — and that is hard to eradicate (since it lodges deep within the joint) — is a type of acne bacteria (which baffles us as to how she got it). Since i will be busy taking care of Marla for the next few weeks, i will likely not do postings after my already scheduled 01/02/2019 blog/posting; i will not have time to read others’ blogs or correspond with others re their blogs or my blogs. Hopefully, i can soon get back into blogging again once things settle down and i find more time to do so. Peace!]
What is a New Year?… and is it really new? We humans, most of us anyway, have a very superficial sense of time, a very linear, rudimentary perspective regarding time. Many of us, even when we think that we are dwelling in (and “as”) the present, are, in reality, conceiving of (or recognizing) that “present” via past images, old, learned perspectives. So, it really isn’t “the present” at all (due to recognition via old, stored mental images). If one really often lived timelessly in the present, there would not be any concrete recognition of the present as the present (as something separate from the past and the future).
So many of us live almost exclusively in (and “as”) the past. Our recognition of things, our labeling of things, our habitual (repetitive) chattering of thoughts and mental images, are all fundamentally protrusions from the learned past. We have allowed our minds to become reacting mechanisms; reactions are essentially secondhand and mechanical (being part of a cause/effect continuum). If we have reduced ourselves to that — which, unfortunately, so many have — then we will remain as parts of a rather mechanical, sequential process (which is rather limited).
Can one look without the past dictating? Can one perceive, not fragmentarily, but wholly, beyond mere limited, learned reactions? One says that it is possible. Will a step by step method, that you absorb from others, get you there? Of course not! A radical revolution in consciousness has to take place. Will it take time to (eventually) get there. No.
Happy New Year! (ahead of time)! (… though, for decades one has realized that there is really nothing new about it.)
Lichen at the end of the “New Year” … Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2018
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
So much truth in your thoughts. I smiled when I read how there’s nothing really new about the new year. I often think the same. Nevertheless…happy new year 💫
Nothing new within a false category, time is a construct, and we play we concrete ideals employed in an infinite multiverse.
I hope 2019 will be kind to you and your wife, and that she will recover well from her surgery.
Interesting thoughts about time… Sorry to hear about your wife. I trust she will recover well.
All the best for Marla and you and for 2019, regards Mitza
monkey wish tom & wife of tom many best wish for coming time of future.
I wish you and your wife all the very best Tom. It’s been a joy reading your blog and the amazing imagery. Thank you.
Interesting thoughts as always Tom. Wishing you and your wife a happy newish year and hope that her health will improve.
Sorry to hear of your wife’s health issues. I’m sending good thoughts your way and hope she recovers quickly. Have a Happier New Year. We will miss your words of wisdom and wit for a little while. Take care of her (and yourself) Siobhan
Everything will go well. Your wife will recover. We pray for her health and yours too. Wish that the year 2019 will bring you happiness.
Your wife is so lucky to have you to care for her. Wishing her a full and speedy recovery and looking forward to your return to blogging.
I missed your post, most times I find NP motivation coming here because I lost my phone I use in making good images, and I don’t even have a camera 📷, 😢 I just can’t wait to get a camera
Best wishes to you, Tom and Maria, for 2019. Our lawyer had a similar problem with his hip. He is now up and around, doing workouts in the gym.
You make a point – how can it be “New” – hmm. Something to ponder.