The View From Here
Imagine waking up one morning to find out that 11 days had simply vanished – not just for you but for everyone around you. It sounds like something straight out of a ‘Twilight Zone’ episode, but for residents of Great Britain and her colonies in September of 1752 it was a reality. Folks across the eastern seaboard of the modern-day United States, as well as across the global British Empire, went to bed on September 2, 1752, and awoke the next morning on September 14, 1752. Why? It’s complicated, but it comes down to a change from the Julian Calendar to the modern-day Gregorian Calendar, which most of Europe had already adopted by that time. We experience a much milder form of this irregularity each spring when we set our clocks forward, but we’re fortunate enough to get it back a few months later.
It’s an interesting piece of historical trivia, and it illustrates the point that time can be slippery. It’s a good reminder to look up from time to time and reflect on important things we don’t want to get away. David Solie, a clinician, author, educator, speaker, and thought leader on the psychology of the second half of life, encourages us to engage in an activity he calls a life review, wherein we relive our life’s story, seeking out important moments that act as signposts of our values and purpose. Solie uses the term “whale spotting” to refer to stories from our past that may seem like they wander without purpose but often times create “A-ha Moments” like a whale breaching the surface of a vast ocean. These are the moments that not only shaped who we became, but often reveal a desire to establish a lasting legacy.
At the HaysMed Foundation we thoroughly appreciate the opportunity to learn the stories and experiences of the people who have built a legacy of caring through our people and projects. It brings us joy to help extend the values of our donors across more people and beyond the slipperiness of time.
Jeff Brull
Executive Director, HaysMed Foundation