Although this seems a month late, it has been on my mind since new years. Auld Lang Syne. We sing this at the crack of midnight every New Years Eve, but do we really know what it means.
Auld Lang Syne was initially a Scottish poem which was turned into a song and translated into may languages including English. The Meaning of 'Auld' is "Old" and the meaning of 'Lang Syne ' is "Long Since". It is a remembrance and salute to old times, to things that have passed in the previous year. It is remembering old friends either here or passed (shared friendship). "We'll take a cup o' kindness yet "refers to the tradition of raising a glass, (a cup o' kindness) meaning with "good will, friendship and kind regard" and in remembrance of "noble deeds". The custom of drinking a "health" at a special gathering to the prosperity or good health of another goes back forever. It is an acknowledgement of the things that you have passed through and made you what you are today.
The song effectively salutes growth. It acknowledges and reminds you what challenges you have faced and surpassed as you prepare to face new challenges in the coming year. It reminds you that you have been through a lot, and you survived, maybe even flourished. And in that moment of realization, we acknowledge that we are stronger, and are still here, able to continue moving forward.
We remember and salute people that have helped us along the way, and also those we have helped. We remember and salute the good done by ourselves and others (the noble deeds). Then we let it go, and move on. Yes, we move on. We have to.
Life is about moving forward, growing, becoming what we can be. We remember the things that brought us to this point in life. But then we let them go so we can continue to move forward. Carrying the past with us is like carrying way too many bags to go on a trip. At some point to even be able to take a step, we must get rid of something. So we stop carrying the past with us. That gives us room to bring in things in the future. After all, you can’t fill a glass with more water than it can hold. Eventually, you will have to pour some out to get more in, or stop pouring water in.
So at this point, I salute and acknowledge the “long since” and raise a “cup o’ kindness” to all. And now I leave the past behind and look forward to more adventures (or as some would say, misadventures).