Mayan calendar set to expire Friday morning

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- December 21 at 11:11a.m. UTC, (5:11a.m. CST) is slated to be the end of the Mayan calendar. What exactly does this mean for the world as we know it? Truthfully nobody really knows, although there are many ideas as to what might happen Friday morning.

The most viral idea is that Friday will signify the end of the world. A mega apocalypse will reign down on us in some form and bring imminent extinction to Earth's living. While it is true that the calendar ends, some believe that like our Gregorian calendar that recycles itself every January, the Mayan calendar is just restarting in a new phase.

Another popular thought states that a new chapter in life will emerge as an Age of Enlightenment or Illumination. This idea stems from a more positive outlook stating that the calendar's expiration is the beginning of a new world.

The definition of 'new world' is what shifts drastically from person to person. Some say the economy will pick up and people will go green. Some say we will make drastic discoveries in technology and medicine that will change the world. And of course there are those who believe that aliens will 'reveal' themselves to us.

Scientifically, there are no known factors that would indicate any of the above are valid. Nor is there any evidence indicating a polar shift or any unusual events resulting from the planetary alignment.

The only certainty we have is that Friday, December 21, 2012 will arrive, and no matter what happens we cannot change the outcome. All we can do is hope for the best and live in the moment, cherishing the ones we love with every breath.