Traditionally, following the Julian calendar introduced by the authority of Julius Caesar in 46 BC, this volume of The ZONE will be the first for 2021.  Continuing with tradition, frequently individuals will set New Year’s resolutions with the hope of accomplishing them during the upcoming year.  The tradition of setting goals dates back over 4,000 years ago to ancient Babylon, with the motivation to be seen positively by the gods.  This tradition continued to ancient Rome, through the Middle Ages and up to today.

Another way to embrace this time of year is to view it as a continuing, ever-changing lifecycle: prenatal development, infancy and toddler years, early childhood, middle childhood, early adulthood, middle adulthood, and late adulthood.   Each of us finds ourselves at a different point in our life cycle and we assign specific tasks to this period of time.  However, in today’s ever-changing world, we are offered new possibilities and opportunities that will shape what we do with our tomorrows.  Our paths are not set, they are created.  Examples of individuals who are changing the nature of the lifecycle include: 15 year-old scientist and inventor, Gitanjali Rao, who is Time Magazine’s first-ever “Kid of the Year”; 51 year-old grandmother who gave birth to her own granddaughter through surrogacy; and Gladys Burrill who is known as “Gladyator” because she completed the Honolulu Marathon at 92 years-old.

As we move forward, we have choices and opportunities that are offered daily that contain known and unknown possibilities.  The ones we choose or don’t choose will direct our continually evolving lifecycle path.