What have you learned now that you have 2020 hindsight?  What has our country, our world learned?

For most of us this was our first pandemic. Will it be our last?  What can we do as humanity to prevent another pandemic? More importantly, are we willing to do what is necessary?

Crisis, revels weakness and strength. The past year was full of media exposing our weakness. Divisive, hateful politics, extreme economic and social injustice and the ease in which the mass public can be manipulated. Misery loves company and fear can cause us to react irrationally and feel helpless. Scapegoats were rampant in 2020.

If you were able to disconnect from the drama and focus on the positive, then good was also revealed. People made friends with neighbors that they have lived by for years and never knew.  Food and clothing were given freely to others. Families reconnected and had quality time together.  Pet shelters were emptied.  Strangers offered to help out the elderly. 

For me 2020 confirmed my knowing that everything is connected. We are all one. Humanity, nature, economics, social, religion, everything is connected.  My unexcepted revelation was just how few people actually believe this.  The idea of “ I can do whatever I want and you can’t make me….”, is childish.  Yet, it is this very attitude that has helped create the pandemic.  The believe, “what I do is my own business and it doesn’t hurt you”, is the lack of ability to conceive how we are all connected. The flip side of this train of thought is, “ what I do as an individually, doesn’t matter.”  This is often the excuse when trying to deal with issues like climate change, or social injustice.  It all seems too big to change.

The new year is a traditional time to vision a better life.  We lay out our goals and objectives in the various areas of our lives.  We feel good about it and stay on track for a little while.  Then something happens, and our resolve fades.  

2020 showed the world just how important it is to stay connected.  We need each other to create our supply chains. We need each other to provide food, clothing and shelter.  We need each other to overcome crisis and pandemics. 

Long term stress and lack of social interaction can be exhausting.  It is easy to take a position of hopelessness or to allow fear to create your reality.  Another choice is to focus on the positive. This may be difficult at this time. So try something easier.  Focus on connection.  My word for 2021 is connection. How am I personally connected to other people in my neighborhood, tribe, family, community, organizations?  Do I like the way I’m connected?  Do I want something different?  What can I do to improve the connection? How am I connected to nature?  What actions can I take to improve my relationship with nature? 

We all want to be part of something better than just self.  Even, fringe groups connect to each other because they want to be heard and no that they are no alone.  So, I encourage you to reach out, connect to something, someone, organizations, events, neighbors, pets, horses, nature, whatever it is that brings you comfort and joy.  Focus on the positive, find those little things that help you know that you are part of the whole.   Now go out there and make it a GOOD YEAR.