Tradition dictates that this is the time, between the joyful, familial excesses of Christmas, and the theoretical fresh start of the New Year, when assessments are made, calculations of pluses and minuses are totted up, decisions for change and progression are taken – allegedly.
So, let’s have a look at what the year has given us. Actually, second thoughts, how about we leave the details of the macro-shite to others, and look at the micro-lights a little closer to home.
I mean, who the hell wants to rehash the psychotic roller coaster of the bright orange leader of the free world, and his attempts to start World War 3 with North Korea, or by proxy in any of a number of areas of the Middle East – take your pick.
Never mind the other proxy wars going on, innocents being used as base fodder for international un-diplomatic dick-waving. And just to add to the messy mix, nature throws in any number of curve balls just to add some diverse colour.
And domestic joy has been unconfined, with inequality and unfairness expanding under our noses while we are distracted by the self-serving machinations of stroppy egos, more concerned about power retention at any cost than justice, compassion, equality.
But we won’t talk about any of that, because I will just get angry. very, very angry.
So, home sweet home. And actually, yes it is – albeit in need of a new roof, but that is a different story. I will soon be celebrating my first anniversary of moving to the seaside – estuary-side?
I feel at home, the beard is keeping my neck warm for the winter, and I actually feel that I can make a positive contribution to the town. Such arrogance, but it feels good, so I am sticking to it.
There are strangers from this year who I now hold as dear, individual, idiosyncratic and all together awesome friends. Each has brought something new, singular, and enriching to my life. And there is one person I owe for the introduction to them all. Hey, someone has to take the blame.
I have a son who seems to have got his life sorted. Ex-Olympic Village flat, job and life and friends in the Big Smoke. Another 50 years and I will completely stop worrying about him.
And that friend of mine who stands on cliffs? Well, she is still there. The climb was going pretty well, slowly and annoyingly, but definitely in the right direction. And then pebbles, gathering from the past, decided to throw up another cliff, steep and sharp and totally unnecessary.
And yet she is still climbing, and maybe stronger than ever. Differently maybe, but stronger. And all those who hold the ropes that support her are still there, and each is holding tight. And some more have been added. And we are all proud to be there. And her partner and her daughter both hold the thickest ropes.
Finally, as a step towards the de-cluttering principle of this time of year I have dumped a couple of people from Facebook. This sounds, especially to me, as a slightly odd statement, because it is only fairy recently that I have realised the value that comes with a Facebook community. But what I had suspected before, and have had confirmed, is that it can be a negative. So I have removed.
And it feels good. Negative is a waste of energy. And we will need all we have for the new year.
It’s not going to be easy, and there will be much that is totally and completely crap, but….
There will also be good stuff, with good people. Moments of shear brightness.
And with luck, that will balance it in the right direction.
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