life lessons

On New Year’s Eve

mimijk

Hi my friend,

I read this quote today and wanted to share it with you. I happen to be one of those people who think of a new year with a cynical perspective. As a child, the start of another year was marked by a guy named Vince Lombardo leading a questionably talented group of musicians in lounge lizard renditions of various songs. It was fun to stay up, feeling like we were doing something illicit (even though it was endorsed by our parents). We watched the ball drop, counting down with whoever was holding the mic.. And then it became anti-climatic – it was over, we were over-sugared and overtired. Forced fun is pretty fleeting.

At this point in my life, there is little difference between December 31 and January 1. I make resolutions that I manage to discard throughout the year. The only thing I really like to do is wish all those I love as well as those that I like a new year with good health and laughter and love and peace. But I can articulate those wishes at any time of the year. Somehow New Year’s Eve doesn’t corner the market on good intentions.

This new year begins with the world in such a state of disarray, it barely resembles anything I can wrap my head around (that’s probably why my head hurts most of the time). War, mass migrations, prejudice, bigotry, the sheer absence of attention to gun control, the insult to women and their doctors and ethicists. I can go on, but you know what I mean. These are the ideas that roll around in my head as we count down to January 1, 2024.

I’m tired. I think you are too. Yet we are here now, and if there is anything for me to resolve, it is my commitment to hold onto hope – it is the only feeling that remains aloft. I will hope that we cherish each other, and failing that, that we accept our differences rather than vilify them. I hope that my children and granddaughters live in a world that they can feel comfortable in – for its generosity of spirit in all things. I will do my part – to the best of my ability and I know you will too. That’s why we’re friends – and why I love you.

Happy New Year

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Published by mimijk

Woman of a certain age…mom, wife, grandmom, sister, friend, mentor, advisor, perpetual ponderer. “I get up every morning determined to both change the world and have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning difficult” (E.B. White)

34 thoughts on “On New Year’s Eve”

  5. As I read your words, I found myself agreeing with every word. You captured what has become the grief of every day living as this world churns. It is overwhelming, but at the same time, you reach out and try to hold onto the dream of a better tomorrow for future generations. One of your best posts!

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  9. Ahhh, my precious friend, how I love the gentle urging of this post…to lean into hope, to keep looking for the sun we know will eventually break through the clouds, to find the good in people and rejoice in our commonalities rather than reviling our differences. You, my dear, are a beacon to me, a constant reminder of the deep, inherent good that exists in this world. Love you so very much…❤️❤️❤️

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    1. Thank you, thank you! You are extraordinarily kind and generous with your praise, and I appreciate you for such largesse. I’m kind of scared to think that hope has dissipated to the point of invisibility, There has to be hope …for how does one live without it? I would never want to find out..love you always❤️

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    1. If we lean in with hope, perhaps it will become society’s driving force, instead of enmity. Happy New Year Joanie – to you and your family…hugs

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  11. This is so beautifully said, Mimi. Let us all keep looking for the light, for the good and to share it with those who cannot find it. Lotsa love for 2024.

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    1. I agree, Dale – and thank you. I think a lot about Pandora’s box, how she opened it and all that was evil me out…and when she looked at what she had wrought, she wanted to take it all back. She looked in the box, and one ephemeral remained…hope. We need to turn hope into a verb…act hopefully, think hopefully and share it as you note above. Happy New Year, Dale, thank you for you..hugs

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  12. So perfectly articulated. I share your commitment to continue to hold onto hope and I pray for peace and discernment from the world’s leaders. Be well my friend.

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    1. Despina – hi!! Thank you for stopping by and Happy New Year! I realize how challenging it is to speak of hope and peace when there is so much sorrow and hostility in the world. Yet, we must commit to holding joy and sharing it…to negate it is to add voice to the less-than-positive elements of our nature

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