Hello 2015!

It’s time to say hello to the new year. Good riddance to 2014. It was a tough year health wise for a lot of people.  For us as well. Age does that to everyone eventually. Some years are predictable in their developments. Other years make sudden swoops and dives. Still other years climb to new heights. But one thing to remember, life is what it is and we don’t control it. Period. We can lay plans. We can yearn for new goals. We can even work hard, invest time, effort and money into the goals. But still life will be what it will be.

So, as I contemplate the new year one thing pops to mind I hope to have and maintain yearlong. It is adaptation to change. Coping mechanisms to survive whatever comes my way. Financial, organizational, interpersonal relationships, political or well being of things important to my life: car, apartment, computer, TV and other electronic connections to the outside world. Keep these things working so I don’t have to reinvent my world and technology to function adequately.

Adapt to health issues, too. Learn to walk better, steadier and for longer time periods. Things aren’t normal as in the past, so understand what is the new reality and make it work for me. Take care of my own issues so others are not involved in my maintenance. Accept not only the new reality but all reality as it really is.

On another topic I want 2015 to be filled with other people so I can be involved with their lives. Getting outside of me is the key. Focus outward for the benefit of others. That’s the tactic that will enhance my life and grow my experience base. I already do this in AA; so too at church. I also can exercise this skill set with the newspaper. And of course mentoring with SCORE is totally focused on others. Complete strangers to boot! But their humanity and reality is the challenge to understand in order to help them grow into their futures.

As I ponder the previous 70 years of my life I realize, almost too late, what I didn’t understand back then. I get it now. A person functions better with a focus outside of himself. He gathers the good things in life by helping others achieve their potential. And the good things of life, what are they?

Here’s a stab at addressing that enigma. Good things in life include the following:

1.       Self awareness
2.       Fulfilling self potential
3.       Enjoying other people, one at a time or in a special group, fellowship?
4.       Tasting food and appreciating it deeply
5.       Sleeping well and soundly
6.       Adapting to the realities of current health without worry or concern
7.       Seeing the world and its wonders with eyes wide open. Just think of the Grand Canyon and what an incredible beautiful wonder it is! Get in touch with all the other feelings the Grand Canyon draws forth in your mind
8.       Appreciating natural wonders, colors, sounds, smells, and senses
9.       Hearing music and inviting the emotional potential to swell your mind and life momentarily
10.   Appreciating form and function; the beauty of line and design; the usefulness of the item; think automobile, computer, furniture, or any of the millions of things we encounter daily. Aren’t they a wonder that they exist as a byproduct of human work and interaction?
11.   Spiritual centeredness. This is much more difficult to ponder, but life exists for reasons none of us can adequately conclude. The why of our existence is interesting to ponder but totally unnecessary to draw conclusions of. So don’t try. Allow the spirit of the moment to be resident in the mind and body. Let it soothe and calm. Let it be often and regularly. It will enrich our life. Time and time again.
12.   Feed the mind useful information and make it count. Celebrity is not useful. Neither is politics. Let the mind develop naturally and fully. Let it seek answers to questions and problems that arise in life. Work with others and their minds to do the same. Together the fellowship of the mind will ponder issues and arrive at workable answers.

These then are the long term dozen. The goals for each new year now and forever. Address these 12 items and long life will ensue for you and make it worthwhile for however long it lasts.

Perhaps we need a thirteenth item? You know, like a Baker’s Dozen? If that be the case, then I would propose the 13^th item is: Make Good Things Happen.

That’s it. Make good things happen from which others will benefit. Aim to serve the common good of all people. Education, life quality issues, health care access, active intellectual life, and much more. Things all of us need and benefit from. Don’t worry about special interest groups. Just consider the common good and make good things happen for them. In turn it will benefit you and I.

Simple. Down to earth. Achievable. If only we capture humility and wonder.

So, for 2015 I’m going to work to make good things happen. For all of our sakes.

January 1, 2015