Forward and Backward

Janus is “the Roman god who looks forward and backward”[1], often depicted with two opposite faces. At first, he sounds like a bit of a wishy-washy kind of god who can’t make up his mind, constantly looking both ways but never crossing the street. However, as I have thought and read more about him, I find that this concept of looking forward and backward is not so foreign after all. When I drive my car I am focused on what’s ahead of me, yet I also check the rearview mirrors at regular intervals to keep apprised of what’s going on around me. It is also a very good description of what I do for a living: I merge historical recordings with the technology of the future in order to preserve those recordings. A focus on either the past or the future alone in that kind of work is insufficient; I must understand and make use of both to be successful. What a challenge, and yet what a thrill!

Modern temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints each feature a striking visual for couples and families being joined together. Here, the reflections in opposing mirrors appear to go on forever in either direction, a stunning reminder of the people who have gone before and those yet to come. The mirrors could also symbolize looking backward and forward, to see where one has been and where one is going.

I find that there is considerable value in peering in both directions periodically. January tends to be a great time for such reflection, where we take stock of the previous year and plan for the coming year. And here again we greet our double-faced friend Janus, for whom our month of January is named. In addition to having two chins to shave, Janus is considered by some to be “the god of all beginnings.” What better time to look to the past and the future than the beginning of a new year?

I have had a number of jobs where we were expected to set yearly and quarterly goals, and for a long time I dreaded those goal-setting meetings. The setting of goals seemed like a painful, meaningless exercise. However, I have since realized what a positive experience it can be to make goals/aims/objectives/resolutions, or whatever you want to call them. They’re something to shoot for with some specifics and a timeline attached. At the end of the year (or other set time), you can look back and see if you hit what you were aiming for. Even a missed goal, valiantly worked toward, can be beneficial. You can still measure some progress by a missed goal: how close did you come? what kept you from success? what did you learn? is it worth striving for again? That, I think, is one of the major benefits of setting goals: you have something by which to measure progress. And progress brings satisfaction. Satisfaction, in turn, brings fulfillment, even joy. The sneakiest part of all is that when you’ve tasted the pleasure of achievement, you are motivated to reach higher. What pole-vaulter who achieves a personal high doesn’t want to try for the next highest rung? Knowing the achieved height (looking back) provides a benchmark for the next goal (looking forward).

Consider taking some time this month to reflect on where you’ve been and where you’re headed. What are you reaching for?

[1] page 13 in Pearce-Moses, R. (2007). Janus in Cyberspace: Archives on the Threshold of the Digital Era. The American Archivist, 70(1), 13-22.

Image credit: Scott Shepherd