What Lies Ahead

 This is the time of year when we take stock of our lives. We think about change and make promises to ourselves. Some call it resolutions but by whatever name, we evaluate expectations for our self-improvement. 

This is not bad, but it all comes down to lasting power. Still, the opportunity to self-reflect is always worthwhile.

The year ahead features both another Olympic Games, and a Presidential election. Both are on shaky grounds. Both will enrapture the media and both are vulnerable to terrorist attacks. 

We are also at an inflection point with big concepts like democracy, artificial intelligence, and existential wars that roll on with little regard for those most vulnerable, especially the elderly and children.

To these threats, we must add our constant bearing witness to a disintegrating environment and our need to change our behaviors to sustain this magnificent planet for those yet to be, and those yet to come on board with what is demanded.

Mostly, the start of a new year is a chance to reset.  To remind ourselves that we have work to do and that we can stop beating ourselves up about what needs to be done, and just start doing it.

For myself, specifically, I will work with what I enjoy doing and try to keep from excess.  That way I can be open to new things, and hopefully improve on some of my skills and bad habits.

This stage of life, for me, is filled with physical limitations brought about by age.  They are not crucial, but nevertheless there and must be dealt with effectively.  

I will try to keep my emotions in check too.  Especially with the upcoming political campaigns looming large on the horizon.  For the life of me, I will never understand how so many can fall for the lies of a pathological personality so easily.  But then, people often believe what they want to believe. Apropos of that,  I continue to wonder about the relationship between the quality of education and the quality of political candidates in that system.  That is, if we, as a culture valued education and really walked the talk, then maybe we could celebrate political candidates that reflect the best of us and our thinking.  Increasingly,I find myself asking,"Is this the best we con do?  C'mon, really?"