For 2023, a little more humility, less energy on negativity
I was ecstatic when I realized my column would run in print on New Year’s Day. For me, it’s an honor to hopefully entertain you all to start 2023.
Wait, did I just say 2023? That can’t be. Time is flying by way too quickly.
It seems like yesterday I was sitting in my classroom in the 1960s at St. Catherine’s School, drifting off, wondering if there would be a year 2000 and what would that futuristic universe look like.
When I was very young, New Year’s celebrations meant our crazy large family running around our living room with noisemakers listening to Guy Lombardo on TV ringing in the New year with the classic song “Auld Lang Syne.”
Was it just me, or did that song seem a bit dull? Maybe it spoke to the times when life was so simple, and to me, everything seemed just fine in the world. Anyone remember tinsel?
Then in my 20s, I can recall New Year’s celebrations were more high-energy party nights. Things like dancing on the shoulders of my very tall friend at the former Tuxedo Junction, with a New Year’s hat and all. It was in the basement of what was then the Oar House, and we’d go on to the early hours of the morning.
Then, it was on to watching “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” with my daughters when they were young. I had watched Dick Clark appearances on one show or another for over 50 years, and he always seemed to look and act the same. Dick Clark, Bob Hope, Ann-Margret, I do miss those totally reliable, all-good-in-the-world icons.
How about the year
2000 when we worried that the world would stop?! Computers would die, and planes would drop from the sky. Turns out all the millennium drama was much ado about nothing and life marched on.
These days, it’s out with friends in the early evening, then chilling with my wife Wendy at home, just trying to stay interested in whatever over-the-top show that may be on. Watching the ball drop never loses its excitement, nor does wishing each other a happy New Year and then off to sleep processing thoughts of what the new year may bring.
I’m really hoping this year we’ll spend less energy on negativity. Maybe not overanalyze or take offense to everything. Maybe be more forgiving when someone makes a mistake or says something they regret. Just a bit more humility wouldn’t hurt.
Maybe political leaders will work together more often and not be motivated by what seems like endless, spiteful finger-pointing. I’m blessed to work with most of the elected officials in the Valley, and they’re by far really good people working for the good of this amazing region.
I’m pretty confident our economic growth will continue, and with this incredible growth, I’m hoping our amazing quality of life won’t suffer. I love that our Main Streets in large and small communities are as economically healthy as I can recall, maybe as far back as the ’60s. We still have work to do, but that’s an accomplishment!
So, here we go, Lehigh Valley. Another year ahead. It will bring much happiness for some and heartache for others. We’ll pray for no more war while one goes on too long. Let’s hope, with the help of our ever-growing and impressive health networks, to be fully past the formerly unthinkable COVID drama.
The Phillies might be in another World Series. The Eagles in another Super Bowl. The IronPigs will pack Coca-Cola Park. The Brooks Brothers will bring concerts of our dreams to PPL Center. Ski resorts will rock our winter, Musikfest our summer. I could go on and on.
On goes the roller coaster of life, and like the roller coasters at Dorney Park, my bit of trepidation won’t keep me from jumping on one more time to experience the excitement of what lies ahead. Because I believe 2023 will be a good year, and I’m completely on board to see that’s the case.
So whadda ya say, you never give up, Lehigh Valley types … you in?!