My Journey into 2012 ….

For probably the better part of the last 3 to 5 years I have heard and read reports about people’s fascination with or concern about the Mayan calendar.

“Maya civilization, known for advanced writing, mathematics and astronomy, flourished for centuries in Mesoamerica, especially between A.D. 300 and 900.  Its long count calendar, which was discontinued under Spanish colonization tracks more than 5,000 years then resets at zero," (MacDonald, G.J., 2007)

Based on MacDonald’s article in this edition of USA Today the assumption then is that “zero” means December 21, 2012--the day great tragedy will befall all of mankind.

Sandra Noble, executive director of the Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies in Crystal River, Florida says, “To render December 21, 2012, as a doomsday or moment of cosmic shifting is a complete fabrication and a chance for a lot of people to cash in,” (MacDonald, G.J., 2007)

According to Lawrence Joseph, an author who forecasts widespread catastrophe in his book Apocalypse 2012: A Scientific Investigation Into Civilization’s End – “Part of the 2012 mystique stems from the stars.  On the winter solstice in 2012, the sun will be aligned with the center of the Milky Way for the first time in about 26,000 years.  This means that whatever energy typically streams to Earth from the center of the Milky Way will indeed be disrupted on 12/21/11 at 11:11 P.M. Universal time,” (MacDonald, G.J., 2007).

Personally I have not bought into the Mayan end-of-the-world prophecy forecasted by sensationalists and opportunistic people around the world; people who see an opportunity to make a quick buck by preying on the fear of others.

I have always lived my life by what Jesus tells us in the Bible.

In the case of December 21, 2012, I believe the end will come for us all; for some, the end will come before that date.  For others, the end will follow after that date.

Jesus made it perfectly clear (regarding the end times) when He said to his disciples in Matthew 24:26, “No one knows about that day (referring to the end of the world) or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father,” (New International Version, 1984).

If Jesus (who is the Son of God) could not say with certainty what date God has set for His return, why spend the remainder of our lives fretting over something that we have no control over?

What is important is what we do with our lives from this very moment.

On that note I have decided to make 2012 and whatever subsequent years God deigns to bless me with as years of living life to its fullest.  I plan to pursue whatever realistic personal goals I set for myself while helping others in the process.

I invite you to share this journey with me.

December 28, 2011 will mark my 50th year on this planet.

In lieu of the recent passing of Oklahoma State University women's basketball coach Kurt Budke and his assistant coach Miranda Serna (both died tragically in a plane crash together with Olin and Paula Branstetter, November 17, 2011), I pledge to live my life to its fullest so that I may better honor their memory as well as all those whom have gone before us.

I look forward to sharing a spectacular 2012 with you as we get to know each other together through this blog.

References:

MacDonald, G.J. (2007). Does Maya calendar predict 2012 apocalypse? USA Today. Retrieved Saturday, November 19, 2011 from www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2007-03-27-maya-2021_N.htm

n.a. (1984). Matthew 24:26. Bible. New International Version.  Retrieved Saturday, November 19, 2011 from www.bible.cc/matthew/24-36.htm

Mayan Calendar (image) Retrieved Saturday, November 19, 2011 from http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&newwindow=1&sa=X&biw=1024&bih=438&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=4gTSNDiYs5C6OM:&imgrefurl=http://www.cracked.com/funny-98-2012/&docid=OkWrnBhfZRTtkM&imgurl=http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss276/JJacopo/maya-calendar-1.jpg&w=402&h=400&ei=DvnHTpaPDIb82gXekY3cDw&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=371&sig=105609686215880073593&page=2&tbnh=96&tbnw=90&start=14&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:14&tx=71&ty=22