Thoughts to Ponder as the New Year Is Upon Us............... 12/31/21

     Happy New Year!

     The following was posted last year on this date.  The ideas still ring true today.   May they encourage and inspire us as we usher in 2022. 

     Here's the post: 

     The New Year is upon us.  It could not come soon enough.  Seeing this year in the rear-view mirror gives us perspective. 

What We Are Learning: 

1. We cannot take our life or that of others for granted.  Almost overnight, the world as we knew it before March changed because of the pandemic. 

   a.  All of us are wearing our Covid masks. 

   b. Eating on sidewalks, when allowed, the new norm.

c.  Gatherings, not so easy, now.  Going to the movies, attend church, and birthday parties are a thing of the past.  For now. 

2.  Deep social issues are no longer given a blind eye. Police brutality can no longer hide and will never again be tolerated by society. Racism must go. 

3.  Getting accustomed to the new normal of isolating at home, sheltering in place. 

4.  Washing our hands, sanitizing common spaces never felt better. 

5.  Doing what is right usurps liberties we once enjoyed.  We need to distance ourselves from others.  

What Can We Admit?

1.  As we are now told to keep a wary distance from others, how much we appre-ciate connecting with others is something many of us took for granted. 

2.  How important it is to bond.  It is a sanity saver.  It strengthens and helps us when we are challenged or fearful. 

    a.  Good relationships are an emotional breastplate, protecting us from the glancing blows of everyday living. 

3.  We are learning to participate in and cherish simple pleasures. 

   a.  Going for a walk.

   b.  Holding the hand of loved ones, who are within our bubble. 

c.  Curling up with a book. 

   d.  Invigorate ourselves with arduous gardening or by doing simple home improvements. 

4.  How much we value Zoom, Skype, using Facetime and the What's App. 

   a.  Each of them allows us to connect safely with friends and loved ones. 

   b.  For many, these services allow us to do our jobs. 

5.  The intense work involved as parents help their children participate in distanced learning.  

I'll stop here.  I'm tired.  I'll work on this post later.  

   I wish the best for each of you.  2021 can only get better.  It cannot be as frightful, emotionally and financially depleting as 2020 has been for many.  

       Pablo