Perspective determines everything. Sometimes we see a glass half full or we might see it half empty. The outcomes we hope to see usually depend on whose side we are on or whether something will be of benefit to us.
Zero Hour
The irony of zero hour being the final post in my It's About Time series is that this is a term that is often used to denote a beginning. On the other hand we might think of zero hour being the end of a count down. However that too signifies a beginning. With the end of the 2017 A to Z Challenge we come to the beginning of the month of May.
With May we start seeing other beginnings as the spring season hits us almost at times with a wallop of a suggestion of summer. From what I've seen from weather reports, summer is here and ready to start its work. Some of us might be in the final countdown toward graduations or working time before vacation time comes.
In a way zero hour is more like a pivot point rather than a beginning or an end. The metaphorical "circle of life" is more like a big hoop rolling down a hill. Beginnings and ends continuously happening with fast middles whirling past us ever more difficult to keep pace with.
Zero hour doesn't mean much in the bigger scheme of life as it is that repetitious part of the cycle that keeps turning up and then turns back around. Each morning is the start of a new day and as long as the mornings keep coming then we're good in that respect.
This post you are reading marks the end of this current A to Z series. Another new post will arrive on the day after this one has had its few hours at the top of the blog page queue. Essentially all will be back to some semblance of normal for a while.
Be sure to be here on Monday May 1st for my next Battle of the Bands post which will be a song in honor of those who completed the 2017 A to Z Challenge--a song of relief in a sense. In that same post I'll be incorporating my contribution to the Insecure Writer's Support Group where I'll be discussing strange research. Also I'll be showing off my A to Z Survivor badge along with my reminder about the upcoming May 8th A to Z Reflections post.
This next post will be a busy one so please don't miss it!
In your thinking, is "zero hour" a beginning or an end? Do you prefer the beginnings or the ends? Do you think I should go back to one post a week or would you prefer to see more?
Congratulations Lee on yet another wonderful post and the conclusion of the Challenge.
ReplyDeleteA great success.
Yvonne.
Yvonne, Thanks for supporting my posts throughout April!
DeleteLee
Hi Lee. Wow, where has the month gone? While so many of you have been busy with the A-Z, I've been busy with stuff around here, the clock ticking to my Zero Hour when I can finally be done with everything. Zero Hour to me sounds like a deadline, the Zero Hour being the drop-dead due date and time.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on another successful year of the A-Z. I'm sure it was fun, exciting and tiring too. I missed it, I really did. But in hindsight, I'm almost grateful that I didn't participate because I wouldn't have had the time to devote to it like I have in years past. But next year, count me in!
Michele at Angels Bark
Michele, Zero hours struck me as a deadline too, but I can see the both sides now. Look forward to next year and to your next BOTB post.
DeleteLee
I think I like ke beginnings better because beginning indicate that that there is a mission. When you know what's your goal that's like half job done. Endings leads to looking for a new goal which is quite a task.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finishing the challenge!
I enjoyed reading your posts.
Thanks for sharing :)
Zodiacs
Best wishes!
Karnika, beginnings are often filled with more enthusiasm whereas the ending is often accompanied by more weariness. But ready to go to the next thing is the right attitude I think.
DeleteLee
Congratulations on finishing A-Z!!! As for zero hour, I always thought of that as a deadline. I actually never considered if it's the beginning or end of something.
ReplyDeleteJoJo, thanks for your continued support during April. It's kind of funny how so many are thinking deadline or ending like I was, while the most official definition seems to be a starting point. But it seems we're all right.
DeleteLee
Zero hour does sound like the end, but all ends are the beginning of something else, so can work for both indeed.
ReplyDeletePat, I like the idea of a beginning following an end because otherwise it sounds pretty definitive like there's nothing left.
DeleteLee
For people on zero-hour contract, there is certainly another definition. To me it means both beginning and end.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
Cuban, I'm not familiar with "zero-hour contract" but, yes, it does open up a variant definition.
DeleteLee
Great job on another successful A to Z, Arlee! It's been an honor!
ReplyDeleteHeather
Heather, thank you for all that you've put into this April. I think it turned out very well.
DeleteLee
'Zero hour' to me, means 'due right now', 'the final countdown', 'this is it'. ☺ And this truly is it for the 2017 A to Z Challenge. It's been an interesting, albeit exhausting month. Thanks again for starting this whole thing and keeping it going. I'm amazed at those of you who turn right around and keep posting as usual, afterwards. Apart from the 'Reflections' post, I'm taking a little break, but will be back to BOTB on May 15. Happy Spring!
ReplyDeleteDebbie D, there's something ominously definitive sounding about "zero hour". Hey, blogging is my "job" so might as well keep at it. Look forward to your May 15th return.
DeleteLee
Hi Lee - well done on guiding us through the A-Z in your inimitable way ... once again I've enjoyed it - cheers and to a good year ahead - Hilary
ReplyDeletehttp://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/z-is-for-zebra-zoo-and-zedland.html
Hilary, thank you for all of your years of participating in and supporting A to Z. You've added so much!
DeleteLee
Zero hour is what you wish to make it! Thank you for another wonderful A-Z. I am reeling from the unexpected positive reaction I received to my Amble Bay series, and I have to thank you and the Challenge for linking me up to so many more readers and writers.
ReplyDeleteZ - It's farewell to Amble Bay!
Keith, glad to have you on board with us to share your imaginative writing talents. Keep up the great work.
DeleteLee
Zero hour is the perfect way to end this series!
ReplyDeleteSomewhere I like the beginnings, some I like the endings, every ending as you've said, is also a beginning of something else. Your post somehow reminded me of the hymn - morning has broken, a cousin used to play it a lot, I grew up listening to it.
Thank you (and the A-Z team) for creating this tradition and for all the work done for keeping it going. It's an integral and hugely enjoyable part of my April.
Best wishes always,
Nilanjana
Nilanjana, without the participants and their wide range of A to Z themes this Challenge wouldn't be much at all so thank you! Endings can be a bittersweet farewell and a welcome relief. Beginnings can be dreaded or happily assumed. Life is filled with cycles.
DeleteLee
I like the line "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end," from the Semisonic song "Closing Time." Something has to end for another thing to begin in its place.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on finishing A to Z!
Carrie-Anne, everything is whirling and turning and beginning, ending, and beginning again. So goes life and so goes the A to Z.
DeleteThank you for being a part of the April Challenge.
Lee
Apparently, I need to move where you are because the weather were I'm at keeps trying to bring winter back.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on another A to Z!.
~Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author
Patricia, the weather is nice here, but I hate the government and the political climate here. Hot weather definitely seems to be here to stay for a while.
DeleteLee
I like to think of endings as new beginnings...so zero hour is the pinpoint in time when that happens. ;)
ReplyDeleteDB McNicol | Oh, the places we will go! | Zippo & Zion
Donna, it's a transition point for sure.
DeleteLee
Zero hour to me is when there is no more 'time' left, or we begin anew if a cataclysmic occurrence takes place. Once a week posting is fine with me, since I'm having trouble finding time to visit bloggers (caring for a loved one is a big commitment). Congrats on finishing the Challenge.
ReplyDeleteDG, I'll probably go back to once a week posting for a while with maybe an extra post now and then if something special strikes me as needing to be said.
DeleteLee
Thanks Arlee so much for everything. A lovely end to the A-Z - new beginnings when things come to an end. Happy May Day!
ReplyDeleteSusan S, thanks for your visits and for your excellent A to Z series. I think this year turned out well.
DeleteLee
Who knew you could travel A through Z in time. You knew! So many insights about time during this challenge. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for starting the A to Z Challenge and allowing so many of us to join in. As you said in an earlier post... Same Time Next Year!
Trudy @ Reel Focus
Food in Film: Zagnut
Trudy, my philosophy from the first Challenge is that any topic can be explored from A to Z. And the many participants have proved that.
DeleteThanks for being part of this 2017 Challenge.
Lee
Lee,
ReplyDeleteI guess it depends on my perspective at the time if zero marks the beginning or the end. As you pointed out it can mean either. I think you should post as often as you want. We'll be happy seeing you do what makes you happy. The A2Z ride has been a fun one to share with you, so a big congrats to you. I had no doubt that you would zip right to the finish. Thanks for starting this marvelous, motivating annual challenge and for your regular visits!
~Curious as a Cathy
Art Sketching Through the Alphabet “Z” (Zebras)
Cathy, thank you for being a part of the 2017 A to Z. You really added to the entire experience.
DeleteI might slow down my posting over summer and then do a reassessment.
Lee
I prefer to think of zero hour as a new beginning. A-Z is a great chance to connect with new friends as well as reconnect with those we might have lost touch with, and I hope to build on those relationships going forward. Thanks for coming up with this crazy idea - I had a great month!
ReplyDeleteNick, thanks for joining us for April. It is a good time to reconnect as well as hone our own blogging skills.
DeleteLee
I think of zero hour as a roundabout - you can jump off in any direction - ending or beginning. Big thanks for hosting this yearly challenge - it was my third year playing and such a delight.
ReplyDeleteDeborah, that's a flexible view. Thanks for joining us for another Challenge.
DeleteLee
Zero hour to me is both beginning and ending. In project management, it is the moment something goes live. In that case, it is the ending of the project but the beginning for the users.
ReplyDeleteEmily | My Life In Ecuador
Emily, I guess the definition would depend on who is using it at what time.
DeleteLee
I really liked this post, Arlee. There is such hope in it. I think we should always remember that to every ending there's a new beginning, becuase when something ends it's scary and dopressing, to a point we have a hard time seeing the new beginning. But there is always one and sometimes the new thing is even better than the old one.
ReplyDeleteIt was a good challenge for me, I really enjoyed it.
I will congratulate with you for finishinf it... though it sounds a bit odd, because I had no doubt you would ;-)
I'll see you on the Reflection Post ;-)
Sarah, I try to be the optimist as much as I can. Thanks for being a part of the 2017 Challenge.
DeleteLee