As the new year approaches, the “saying new year, new me” will become a common slogan amongst people.

While some will look to the new year as an opportunity to start afresh, find new love, pursue a career or begin a healthier lifestyle, 2017 can be symbolic in a variety of ways.

In light of the new year, celebrations are typically a common way to see out the old year and bring in the new one.

According to History.com, “revelers often enjoy meals and snacks thought to bestow good luck for the coming year.”

According to the site, common new year’s celebration activities include watching fireworks, singing songs and the dropping of the ball.

While the activities are a fun way to ring in the new year, searching for New Year’s activities in a rural area, such as Charlotte County, can be a different experience.

New Year’s in Charlotte County typically involves community bonding events, such as watch night services, visiting friends or coming together to reflect on the past year.

While the atmosphere might be quite different from Times Square, these bonding experiences strengthen the community as a whole and allow members of the community to take out time from their schedules to pause and enjoy another milestone in life.

This analogy reminds me a lot of the phrase “Out with the old, in with the new.”

On the surface, that phrase certainly does carry a literal meaning.

However, it could surely relate to a change of mental state or attitude as well.

That’s the beauty of quotes and sayings. Sometimes they can be used to create their own meanings for several unique situations.

In the end, it’s all about interpretation.

Although New Year’s can be a great time to make a resolution or strive for change, any time of the year can serve the same purpose.

Let us remember that as we move forward into 2017.

Set your goals and accomplish them no matter the occasion.

Italia Gregory is the community editor of The Charlotte Gazette. Her email address is italia.gregory@thecharlottegazette.com.