The holidays have not come slowly to a halt. Christmas shopping seemed to go by extra fast this year. Perhaps the economy reshaped folk’s notion of the essential. In my family there was more giving to the least fortunate in the name of the one who normally would get a gift. Christmas was different this year. Dare I say it? Christmas seemed more spiritual.

The celebration of the arrival on New Year seemed subdued. There were some fireworks, to be sure. I could hear and see them from my front porch. But the didn’t seem to last as long as celebrations before. And I can’t think of a single person who shared the adventure of their party going with me. More people must be tamer, or at least broke.

New Year’s Day even seemed docile. Ever since the corporations began their hostile takeover of the various bowls things have been less than they should be. Once upon a time New Year’s Day began with a lunch of greens, black-eyed peas, yams and such. That was followed by the Rose Bowl Parade which was followed by the Gator Bowl which was followed by the Cotton Bowl which was followed by the Rose Bowl that was followed by the Sugar Bowl and the Orange Bowl. And when the clock ran down on that last bowl game the New Year’s celebration was over.

Now that the corporations are running the bowl games they have scattered them out over a whole week. New Year’s Day had a minimum of bowls. But there was one yesterday and the kickoff for the big game will be tomorrow. Who decided to limit New Year’s Day by scattering these gridiron conflicts over two weeks? It’s resulted in a dull New Year’s Day.

But, hey, maybe it’s a portent of what’s to come. Maybe this year is going to be a bit more timid. Perhaps there will be a lessening of “gotta get it done” and a little more of taking time “to smell the roses.” Maybe it will be the year of listening to what our neighbor has to say instead of acknowledging some words have been spoken. Possibly it’s the hint of a less frenzied existence where families actually sit down together and enjoy a dinner actually cooked by a member of the family.

Truth of the matter is because there was no cornucopia of pigskin competition I actually shared some quality time with my spouse. I didn’t know she was planning to expand her art endeavors. Did I miss that because of a self-induced hectic pace? Why did I ever find satisfaction in the multiplicity of football games on that one day? Gracious, with the games limited, I actually enjoyed football, a ride in the country and dinner with her, all in one day. Amazing!

Maybe if life slows down a bit I’ll have time to hike that trail, canoe that stream, and enjoy the grandkids more. If I could live without umpteen football games on one day I’ll be able to live with less distractions throughout the year, travel more country lanes, count the hawks resident in my neighborhood, and hear the music in the trees.

I didn’t make any resolutions this New Year’s Day. Hopefully, it’s the first sign of a new pace, and unhurried journey. Resolutions are evidence of a desire to find more things to do. New Year’s Day I discovered less is always more.