New Years Reflections

I am not writing. This thought occurs to me often, yet nothing has come to me to write, in the busyness of the holiday season and doing the job I still hold. So here it is the first day of a new year. This may be the time to write if I want writing to be a prominant part of my next year on the planet.

Having worked at the hospital all night, I am bringing the year in by myself , home alone. With family in residence here and after a busy night shift, I revel in the solitude, unashamed at enjoying my own company. I have conquered my fear of the release of the explosive energy of opening champagne. I have never before been able to do that on my own (how silly) Shall I mourn the absense of my beloved partner. Absolutely not !!! At least I HAVE a wonderful soul to share the thoughts and occurances of my life with. I look outside at the snow laden trees and see I am not alone at all. While I was sleeping, a neighbor has plowed my driveway and parking area; leaving me only small edges to deal with.

New Years is always a time of contemplation for me. What will be different in this next 12 months? What DO I need to change and what reflections on the year gone by ? It feels like a slow plod forward; much of life being status quo yet always new developments and discoveries of new ways to be.

And what of the world outside of my small realm ? My mind overwhelms easily with global realities .... poverty, war, dissapearing species, climate change crisis, politics, greed, corporate affairs. In my busy life and never having been a political person, it all causes me to pull into myself , do my job as a nurse the best I can, sign a few petitions, donate some money and try to feel good about life. I am not so much a social protester or mender of world problems.

My partner seems to understand or at least be able to relate to the strange goings on in the world. Nothing surprises him. It is as if he can pull back, objectively and see the bigger picture of civilization and government. He sees the natural rights that have been stolen from the people; the way we are controlled and accounted for, identified, compartmentalized and patrolled. There are birth certificates, passports, chip cards, fingerprints and more to come. What hope have we ? What can we do ? He does however lead a simple life, conscious of the footprint he leaves.

It all really is too much for my mind to deal with. My approach differs; not attempting to relate to or heal the larger problems of the world. It is a simple idea..... yet ...... I believe that change and progress and hope all start right here at home. It begins with each of us, in each of our hearts and our way of being and living in the world. It comes down to who we choose to be, how we spend our money and our time. It is the pebble in the pond theory; watching the ripples spread outward. As I see how many people find peace and meaning by joining in our monthly circle of Dances of Universal Peace, and as I hear and see my daughter reflect the morals and qualities I have passed on to her, I know this to be true. There is hope if we all live conciously. Let us all remember this as we enter into another year in this strange reality over which we DO have some control. Let us shop locally and consciously, recycle, passing on what we no longer need and grow what food we can or support local farms. If we have money to spare lets also give it wisely, not to huge medical or other corporations, but to local food banks ,transition houses, hot meal programs, and emergency shelters. Better still, lets donate our time to these places or drop food at the local food cupboard. Let us live in gratitude, counting our blessings every day, spend time and share feeling and thoughts with our friends and get to know our neighbors. Let us not underestimate the influence we have on our children. We need to raise them to be thoughtful conscienscious, caring and contributing individuals. Ahh .... and then there are our grandchildren..... beautiful young souls, waiting to be the next generation of leaders, teachers, parents and innovators, and caretakers of the world. Let us show them love and positive attributes by example.

Yes, I believe there is hope, and I hold much gratitude to the political watchdogs, protestors and workers for social justice. Even if I am not actively joining you I am with you. As I sit in my own humble home, grateful for my small piece of paradise, I contemplate this last year and how I might live better in this next year, with more consciousness towards life on the planet, towards creating and sustaining community, towards being a responsible, caring and contributing individual. My greatest hope is that there are many people in many households, contemplating these same ideas, as the ripple moves outward in the pond.

Happy New Year, May this next year bring you all many blessings.
Radha