What countdown?

Do you mean the 17 days until Donald Trump is sworn in as President of the USA?

Or is it the two days until the final of the 2025 World Junior Championship? That’s ice hockey for those who don’t know. Canada won’t be in contention for a medal, which means many in my country, passionate fans until last night, have stopped caring about the outcome.

Is it the 28 days until a possible confidence vote in Canada’s Parliament? That in theory could signal the end of Justin Trudeau’s political career. If he allows it to happen – there are a couple of ways to delay any such vote.

Or is it 357 days until Christmas? With almost as many shopping days until you unwrap your gifts. (Warning – you only have three days if you are part of the Orthodox tradition.)

For me it is 204 days until the start of my summer vacation. But who is counting?

Our lives are lived in anticipation. Yes, we savor the moment we are in, sort of, but we are always looking forward. Are we wired that way? Or is it socialization?

Whatever you are anticipating this year, I do hope it is done so with joy and not dread. Indeed, some of the events already mentioned here, such as the Trump inauguration, are being looked forward to with fear and loathing by many people.

All of us have things we are looking forward to as 2025 begins. Many, perhaps even most of us, are concerned, maybe even worrying, about some of those future events.

The key to enjoying 2025, something that is easy to say but not necessarily to do, is not to let the worry consume us. Can we all try to do that?

I hope so.