Each year, Ted-the-husband chooses one of his photos, and I determine the inside message for our Christmas cards. Ted picked the Houston skyline at night. It’s dark, similar to what 2020 supplied. He asked, “Where’s the quote you want to use this year?” I failed to find a quote to fit, so I quickly wrote my reaction to the photo:
Darkness leads to light.
Look for it.
Grasp it.
May it bring joy to your life.
First line: Darkness leads to light.
The year of 2020 brought many surprises, many deplorable, but I dislike writing dreary or upsetting articles. I want everything to be hunky-dory in 2021. No more COVID-19. Everyone finds a job: however, predictions offer grim news, plus hope for renewal, hope for change.
The sun rises after hurricanes and vicious storms and sad news. Houston citizens came together a couple of years ago. They helped each other during Hurricane Harvey. This year neighbors and nearby communities help with food and gifts for the less fortunate and their families. Neighbors helping neighbors. The focus changed, but the basics are the same. We are in this mess together.
Second Line: Look for it.
Too many people stayed glued to their favorite TV stations. I heard a reporter on PBS say that the Democrats mocked Rudy Giuliani for his lack of judicial knowledge, while the Republicans listened to Fox to hear his brilliant testimony. We are one nation. Our country is the UNITED States, but we must look at the changes. Why so much emphasis on our separate views?
Whether we use neighborhood gatherings, our dining tables or clubs, we need to realize the world is still turning. Our daily lives demand we must shop for groceries, pay our bills, uphold the law, and learn new coping skills. Instead of fear and dread, let’s look for the bright side of the sun.
Many are searching for jobs, which is hard work. Drudgery. Yet, the results can be better than ever. “When can you start?” is music to someone desperate for work. A new job rarely knocks on the door. Effort contributes to looking for the light. We must keep our eyes and ears open for alternatives to open doors to success. “I’ve never had to look for work before. I’ll find a job. I know a lot of people.” Maybe you’ll need to use new and multiple methods to find the opportunity.
Line Three: Grasp it.
I like the joke, often told, when God sent three different boats past a guy on his roof during the Houston flood. God offered him a seat in each boat, but he declined, waiting for a better boat to come along. When God reminded the man of his attempts, he had missed his chances.
Have you ignored opportunities to help others? Assisting others may lead to future rewards. How about hard-working teachers? I heard someone say, “Well, it’s their job to cope. They get paid for it.” Everyone needs to thank teachers for learning new technology, rewriting and revising lesson plans, and dealing with unemployed and hostile parents. Teachers and health care professionals must contend with their own family issues and personal fears, while they manage a class full of five-year-olds or a waiting room full of patients.
Many of us became more aware of the importance of grocery workers. From the stockers, the cart cleaners, the cashiers and others: we still need them all. What if the truckers could not bring fresh vegetables and Blue Bell ice cream? Who wrote the schedules for senior shopping, pick up, and home delivery? They had it worse than Santa to figure out smooth paths for us to purchase our food.
Line Four: May it (change) bring joy to your life.
About six weeks ago, I was challenged to “do something nice for someone every day this month.” I missed a few of the thirty days, but on the days when I wrote a little note or made a phone call to catch up with a friend, or told a cashier I liked the color of her nails, it helped me stay focused and accomplish more in my life. I felt useful, not useless.
A friend of mine sent me a little painting she made, especially for me. She thought of me. She took time to bring joy both to my life and reward hers. Another long-term friend found a poem I wrote in sixth grade in a storage box and sent it to me. Made me smile all day. Be thankful for instances fostering happiness.
I’m grateful for changes in my life. I enjoy the ability to Zoom to meetings. I attend a writers’ group in Katy, Texas and another in Portland, Oregon. I gain from both writing groups. My husband logs into his photography group in McKinney (four hours north) and a new, much smaller photography group in Cypress, about 20 miles from our home. He doesn’t have to fight traffic after dark. Plus, we appreciate the fascinating new friends.
Sure, I’d like for us to return to how it was, but I’ll see my relatives and friends again. It may be awhile, but my life is far from unhappy. Pay attention to the changes to keep you moving forward.
What surprised you? Growth is often challenging. How can you become a better person in 2021? What will you save from 2020? Write it down. Write your expectations for yourself for the new year with new enthusiasm: better times are near. Change is inevitable, and life may never be the same. Let’s band together for the chance of change.