“Sometimes when you’re in a dark place, you think you have been buried, but you’ve actually been planted.” – Christine Caine
The New Year is almost upon us. Most people I know are loudly exclaiming Thank Gawd! And who wouldn’t be glad to leave Covid and malicious, undemocratic politics in the rear-view mirror. That’s not to say we will be free of both in upcoming months, but at least we’ve gotten down the road a bit.
While I haven’t been affected as badly by Covid as most because I’m retired, and didn’t lose my job and income, I am in that vulnerable 80 plus age group that dies from the disease more often than others. So, fear and common sense has curtailed loving hugs, daily drop-ins from friends stopping by for a chat and perhaps a cup of coffee or a night cap, and my annual excursions to visit my scattered family or travel for pleasure.
I’ve mostly stayed home, ordering everything I need from Walmart or Amazon, which has left my wandering feet a bit claustrophobic – and foaming at the mouth over the daily political shenanigans that come with the morning news. It’s distressing enough to curdle my cream-laced coffee.
Being a stay-at-home, however, has changed my life a bit. I’m reading more, have organized all my drawers and closet, and have spent at least 30 minutes a day journaling my thoughts, and finally restarted work on my memoir. I’ve also streamed a few more movies on my Kindle (I don’t own a TV) and I ‘ve communicated more via text, email, zoom or letters with family and friends.
Patricia Summitt, women’s basketball coach who died in 2016, summed up an attitude that I now claim as my own. “It is what it is. But it will be what you make it.”
And since research has shown that people who look at life with a positive respective live longer than pessimists, I’m going to continue believing that silver linings do exist.
That said, I’m looking forward to the New Year as a glass half full and not half empty.
In 2019, my word for the new year was Kindness. To that in 2020, I added the word, Respect. I’m taking both of those words as mottos to live by with me into 2021, plus adding the exclamation: Dammit, Just Do It. Whether it be answering the writing muse immediately when it calls, making my bed when I first get up, or calling a friend when I think about her, there’s no reason for me to add it to an already too-long to-do list, I’m just going to do it.
So, what’s your New Year’s Resolution?
Pat Bean is a retired journalist who lives in Tucson with her canine companion, Scamp. She is a wondering-wanderer, avid reader, enthusiastic birder, Lonely Planet Community Pathfinder, Story Circle Network board member, author of Travels with Maggie available on Amazon, and is always searching for life’s silver lining.
Pat Bean's blog 
I love the quote at the top, which I’d never heard before. Also the coach’s moto. I have no new New Year’s resolutions this year, or wishes. The ones I had for the last two years, without the results I wanted, will have to suffice: More writing, more artful living, more happy endings for everyone all around. Waiting to see those tender sprouts so long underground greet the sun.
Wishing you a Happy & Healthy New Year! ⌚🔢🕛🎊
I really like your resolution, Pat.
For quite a few years now my resolution has been not to have one. 😉 I do what I can to avoid last year’s mistakes, and try not to add too many new ones.
Have a happy and healthy new year,
Pit
Your effort to avoid last year’s mistakes and not make too many new ones sounds like a very good idea, Pit. Thanks and a happy, joyful New Year to you, too,
Much of your year sounds like mine, Pat, though I’m in my 70s. My 2020 word was HOPE. Little did I know. I do see more hope now than in the past few months, but I find myself angrier. So…onward, and as you say, Just Do It. Wishing you all the best for 2021!