Last night I stayed up with friends to kiss the sorry ass year of 2020 goodbye, and ring in the new year full of hopes and dreams for something better.
2020 was not all bad as I learned some things about the world, and about myself. In no particular order - I would like to share what I learned:
- It "is" possible to live on a budget and cook every meal at home (it is also terribly boring to "have to" do that - the cooking every meal at home thing);
- The United States is an incredibly selfish nation where a high percentage of people who live here, reaping the benefits that this nation provides, care for nothing other than themselves and have a "what is in it for me" mentality;
- My close friends, my gang, my crew - whatever I want to call them - they are an incredible group of people;
- Doing for others, even when it hurts, has benefits that cannot be measured;
- I can learn to live with using a mask each and every time I leave the doors of my house;
- Clorox wipes are singularly the one shortage that I have missed the most - except the few weeks when toilet paper was not available - luckily - although we got down very low - we did not run out;
- I cannot depend on Government to do anything for me - I have to be in a position where I never "need" them;
- Selling a vehicle on CarMax is as easy as the commercial indicates;
- That while we (the American people) could donate record levels of billions of dollars for a Presidential Election Campaign, we could not donate to our own cities and charities enough to keep 20 million + people, who were without a job, with enough money for basic necessities of food, clothing, and shelter;
- I learned that Facebook, Twitter and many other types of social media only have power when you allow them to - shutting them off is a solution that vaporizes their power;
- While still fighting to try and remain on Social Media, I learned unfriending and blocking people who are offensive to me and do not hold to the same world-life values as I do is actually quite easy and very satisfying;
- I actually do NOT need to wear a bra every day and my back does not hurt;
- I travel for a reason - I need people and experiences in my life - it is not optional - it is a necessity;
- I love Audio books - I can drive around town for hours listening to a book and drinking a diet coke;
- I can live in a very small space with very few amenities - this realization is going to change my world completely in the next few years;
In 2021 I hope to lose more of myself (literally), see more of the United States if that is the only place open to me, and keep doing the positive things I started in 2020. I hope to sit down for a cup of coffee, or take a walk or ride, with more of my old friends, and keep growing the budding friendships of 2020. I hope to expand my writing.
That is it - that is my "for the record" post of Jan 1, 2021. Happy New Year to everyone - may you realize your full potential this year and in doing it find love, joy, and peace beyond compare.