When I began this week’s column, Lisa had gone to bed. I was still up watching a special that covered the finer points of cherished Christmas movies. We had just finished, “It’s a Wonderful Life” and I was in a cathartic mood. I thought about the day that Lisa had already completed, and I was still enjoying. It was so nice, I felt like we had received a little timeout from life, to reflect and be thankful. I need these time outs, more than ever. I find the more years I use the faster I consume them. I feel like I am in a race to do the things I want before the race is over. I need to step off and let the treadmill run without me. The little times I spend on the shelf pass slowly and I relish them.
The weather cancelled Christmas Eve festivities, for a third year. We took this in stride and have already rescheduled our Christmas Eve gathering. Christmas day was spent at Lisa’s mom’s place and we even saw our niece Kara who came over with her mom, Jill. It was a day where I felt like time again had forgotten us. We enjoyed our time on this island of Christmas and the conversation was so pleasant.
That same night, I was thinking about how good things are for me. First off, I didn’t have to work the next day. I have typically had jobs where you sometimes must work on days others have off. No big deal, I knew going in that that is the way it was. This year, I had the day after Christmas off and I truly appreciate it.
A review of my personal 2022 includes a change in occupation. The job I started 2022 out with involved a lot of writing, in addition to what you are reading here. In April, I joined the Pennington County Extension Service as its Ag Services/Solid Waste Coordinator. This job requires writing but not at the volume of my previous occupation.
It’s easier to write now as I don’t do it as often. Writing is like weightlifting; if you write, then take a break, you get better and stronger. If you just write without an occasional rest, you break yourself down. I am taking an occasional rest now and it shows in how I write. My enjoyment of this new position shows in my smile.
So, we are all facing the end of another year. There is sure to be regret at failure or even incomplete success in 2022. I think that a year where you listened to someone, added to the world’s kindness or just consistently dragged a comb through your hair and went to work should be counted as a success. Besides, there are no do overs, so regret is a wasted emotion. Looking back with regret is just wear and tear on your neck.
Some will wake up January 1st with great aspirations and some will just wake-up. Resolutions to me seem a waste as they only speak of a goal without the necessary steps to achieve that goal. They are more an acknowledgement of a need without the tools to fulfill the need.
It’s like saying you are going to build a boat without a hammer or piece of wood in existence on the island.
Let’s not say bad things about 2022. 2022 did the best it could and really is just a reflection of us. So let’s be kind to ourselves and wish 2022 the best, then let’s welcome 2023 without expectation.
Let’s simply be kind and hope all goes well.
