The end of the world as we know it?

So, the day I've secretly dreaded is almost here  the end of the Mayan calendar is tomorrow! (Maybe that's why I am blogging for the second time in as many days). While I really don't feel like I should be worried about it, there were years of my life that I was pretty concerned about end of time prophecies.

 I grew up in a fundamental Christian home in the Bible Belt. My parents had Bible study weekly in our home, and I repeatedly overheard end of time speculations and prophecies. One memory really stands out. I was in the 4th grade when my class was in the library listening to a presentation about space exploration and how the space shuttle was due to takeoff the following year. I should've probably been excited about the progress that represented, but all I could think of was that it was a sign of the end of times - that the world was going to end. I was so afraid that I wouldn't be able to grow up and have a family and nice adult life - the American dream - because it would all be over before I had the chance. Yeah, I know. Pretty heavy stuff for a 10 year old to worry about.

But, the world did not end then, and life went on. I did get to have my family (yay).  Though if I'd known then what I think I know now, perhaps I wouldn't have been in such a hurry to ;-) In the years since my childhood, I have studied and read up on many different and sometimes opposing opinions on why we're here. Perhaps my religious upbringing did serve to give me the propensity to seek out the spiritual, the mystery, purpose in life. I'm still not sure what the Mayans prophecies really meant to them, or what they should mean to us. Perhaps we will never know for certain. I do pray that we can all go on living and loving and seeking fulfillment. Tomorrow's solstice isn't the first prophecy date that we've lived through, and probably isn't the last, either.

 I'm feeling the need to be connected to God and my loved ones, but ironically I'm alone for a couple of days. Maybe it's a great time for me to connect with my own spiritual center as well...

I'd love to know what your thoughts are in the comments below.