A happy new year What will you be grateful for in 2021?
SO here we are, dear reader, phew. It’s finally happened. If ever there was a New Year’s Eve to sing Auld Lang Syne and sink a dram, that was it. The big one.
Congratulations are due to each and every one of us for getting through the past few hairraising, hectic months. The old year did its level best to make us all lose the plot, our sense of smell and our sense of humour, but, despite its best efforts, here we are. Most of us. At last. Waving our goodbyes. Even if some of them are a bit socially distanced.
After hanging around for far longer than was enjoyable, 2020 has finally taken the hint, packed its bags and snuck out the door. Leaving behind some bad smells, some hard feelings and a hell of a lot of upset apple carts. Along with a few rotten apples to be picked over later. Either way, good riddance.
Now normally, about this time of the calendar, I would change tack. Would move on from the old year and start wishing each and every one of us a Happy New Year. Encouraging each and every one of us to look forward to 12 months of joy in our hearts, whilst living in a happy place filled to the brim with hopes, dreams and whoops-a-daisy by the blooming bucket load.
If that wasn’t enough, I would usually throw in a few suggestions for new year’s resolutions. Something to go along with the above and get the party started. You know the sort of suggestion, I’m sure. But. Sigh. But. In all truth, feels a bit premature to be doing that right now. Not sure anyone out there knows where we’re all going to be, head and heart wise, for the next few weeks and months.
So, instead of passing round the false jollity and silly suggestions, I have got a simple question for you.
What are you expecting from 2021? What do you reckon is going to be in your thoughts over the next year?
Now, before you get too staring at your navel, thinking long and hard. Be warned. This isn’t one of those deep and meaningless pieces, the sort where someone asks you to think about world peace, climate change and vegan sausage rolls.
Although, saying that. The new vegan ones out there can be surprisingly tasty. Enough to make you wonder if you’ve actually picked up a meaty one by mistake. Which sort of gets in the way of that satisfying sausage roll moment, as you take a bite and wonder what would happen if your vegan friend discovered that you had accidentally fed them meat. By mistake. They would probably refuse to talk to you ever again. Or let you buy them a sausage roll.
Which, to be honest, would have its advantages. For instance. In future, you would get to eat both sausage rolls, all by yourself. And not care whether they are vegan or not. But I digress.
Point is, what are your hopes and dreams for 2021? I’m only looking for simple answers here. Something along the lines of; win, lose, or draw.
In other words. Over the next year, are you expecting your little slice of life to get better, worse, or stay the same? Reason I ask is simple. It’s because I know this next year is going to be better than the last one. Guaranteed. Definitely. Much, much better.
Now don’t get to thinking I’m claiming to know the future. Because I’m not. Nope. That would be foolish. I have absolutely no idea what is going to happen in the outside world. It could catch fire and burn, turn upside down, or maybe even run out of biscuits. Who knows? Not me. I can’t control what goes on out there in the big bad beyond.
But I can control what goes on in my head and heart. So, I have decided whatever happens over the next 12 months – death, disease, deficits or natural disaster – I am going to be grateful for what I have been given. To be grateful for what I have received. To give thanks for the chance to live through it. Can’t say it will be easy. But. Seems to me, it’s a great trick if you can pull it off. People have been doing it for thousands of years in times like these. Times of uncertainty and excitement.
Either way, I shall leave you with this simple happy thought. Gratitude is for winners. A grateful heart is a happy heart.
hope you and yours are safe, well and happy.
Until next time, all the best – and here’s to being grateful for the new year. Whatever it brings.
Stan
After hanging around for far longer than was enjoyable, 2020 has finally taken the hint, packed its bags and snuck out the door. Leaving behind some bad smells, some hard feelings and a hell of a lot of upset apple carts. Along with a few rotten apples. Either way, good riddance