A UU Out of the Box Way to Celebrate the New Year

Our cultures, religions, and large corporations have guided us to different ways of ringing out the old year and bringing in the new. These include, among other traditions and practices, the dropping ball at Times Square, champagne toasts, reflections about the old year and turning a new page, feasts, and presenting gifts.

The influence of culture, religion and large corporations that control the media has not just been limited to how we welcome the new year. They influence our concept of beauty and relationships as well.

A UU Friendly Practice. In addition to these traditional ways of approaching the new year, there is one UU friendly, out of the box practice that is worthy of consideration. It is based on the fact that, out of the 19,571,216 people who live in New York State and the 333,996,563 residents of the USA, there is only one individual who has the history, personality and conviction that you do. It is also an approach over which you have more power to manage than any culture, religion, or corporation.

The idea? Acknowledging and celebrating your individuality. Unless you are an identical twin, absolutely no one has the features, way of walking, way of talking, life experience, and way of thinking that you do. Celebrating your individuality authenticates the unique story that you were born to bring.

This involves engaging our principle of the “The Inherent Worth and Dignity of Every Person.” This means identifying and acknowledging our strengths and talents as well as our vulnerabilities and concerns. This recognizes and legitimizes the authentic person you are and is another wonderful way to start the new year.

Embrace the Unique You. The assets, strengths, special talents and unique features of your education, exposure, and personality influence the support and contributions that only you can give. While not always obvious, some objections and criticisms from others could also be pearls of wisdom that help you grow, so celebrate those unique features, too.

Embracing your uniqueness also reinforces your special story and makes it easier to be seen and acknowledged by others. It has been repeatedly proven practically and scientifically that groups which are diverse are more effective at solving problems than homogenous groups.

We appreciate and honor your individuality, quirks and all. So please consider welcoming the new year by celebrating your special individuality. If you do, when you look in the mirror, please pause and acknowledge all that you are. And smile. And say hi. Your individuality is a gift to our world, and we need it.
–Markly Wilson