The biggest winners of 2022 from Amazon to tradition

As 2022 draws to a close, it’s time to name the year’s biggest winners.

Here’s a spotlight on those who came out on top.

▪ Jeff Bezos: Here’s a guy who isn’t just Winner of the Year, but the century.

There are many leaders, but few true visionaries, those rarefied individuals who change not just society, but the course of world history.

Bezos is the very embodiment of that achievement.

Sure, Amazon has made people’s lives immeasurably easier by its world-class product selection and lightning-quick delivery service.

But Bezos’ impact is infinitely more far-reaching.

His company provides employment — replete with significant wages and enviable benefits — to nearly a million people in the United States, and upwards of 1.5 million worldwide.

But arguably Amazon’s greatest impacts are on the environment and human life itself.

Each of Amazon’s tens of thousands of vans carries hundreds of packages, every single day.

If Amazon didn’t exist, consumers would be hitting the road themselves to buy their desired products, making millions upon millions of trips.

And fewer car trips mean billions of gallons of gasoline saved, which not just bolsters consumers’ wallets, but substantially contributes to a cleaner environment. Add to that Amazon’s commitment to a “greener” society, such as using electricpowered vans, and it’s a clean sweep for Jeff Bezos.

▪ Charity and volunteers: America was hit hard by natural disasters in 2022: wildfires out West; devastating hurricanes (Ian was Florida’s worst in decades); the drought-stricken southwest; catastrophic floods and tornadoes, and record-setting blizzards.

But, as always, the American government and its people rose to the challenge of helping those in need.

First responders from across the country flooded into the stricken areas to bring order out of chaos, restore power, and coordinate rebuilding efforts.

And most endearing, they were there of their own volition to assist those who had literally lost everything, including loved ones.

Sure, they lent their lifesaving expertise and skills.

But infinitely more impactful, they provided their fellow countrymen an ear, which listened to harrowing stories; arms, which provided that special hug that says, “everything will be alright;” and shoulders, tender enough for people to cry on, but strong enough to help lift the grief-stricken out of despair.

From a turkey at Thanksgiving to a child’s winter coat, and from Christmas presents for the poor to the anonymous contributions dropped in a Salvation Army kettle, Americans once again demonstrated why they are the most benevolent, kindhearted people on the planet.

▪ Ukraine: Against impossible odds, with most experts predicting their quick defeat and submission to Russian rule, Ukrainians shocked the world by putting up the fight of all fights against their neighbor.

Sure, having a nonstop influx of some of the world’s most advanced weapons certainly helps, but guns alone don’t win wars. People do.

The Ukrainians have shown themselves to be some of the world’s bravest fighters, facing down one of the planet’s largest militaries all while their homeland and countrymen — including their own families — were being ruthlessly and indiscriminately pulverized.

Their military prowess has been so remarkable that Ukrainian forces are now actually taking the fight to Russia itself.

That said, the war is far from over, so it’s in everyone’s interest to ink a peace deal sooner rather than later.

▪ Christmas traditions: One tradition gaining popularity are families driving around looking at Christmas lights, and dropping off anonymous hand-written notes telling homeowners how beautiful their holiday displays are.

It is the best “present” that all the Clark Griswolds out there can receive, since their month of December is often filled more with expletives over blown fuses and nonworking lights than Christmas merriment.

In an era where many indelible traditions have gone the way of the dustbin, replaced by streaming phones, social media and unchecked consumerism, maybe things are finally changing back for the better.

So a hearty shout-out to all the “secret Santas” who truly show that giving is far more meaningful than receiving.

Happy New Year!