Isn't this a strange new year? We are all praying that 2021 isn't as horrible as 2020. I certainly don't need to enumerate my reasons for categorizing 2020 as horrible. You can fill that in for yourself. I guess the real question is how do we turn our faces to the future when we will have all known so much uncertainty, and fear? The generations who lived through World War II could probably tell us a lot about how to cope with so much fear and loss. The COVID virus deaths are fast approaching the number of Americans killed during World War II, and are projected to surpass that number. Americans who lived during that war endured many years of loss, sacrifice and uncertainty.
Unfortunately, as a people we have not been able to equate the COVID pandemic with a war. Instead, as a population there has been a backlash against science and public health recommendations which has made the pandemic even worse. When the last pandemic swept the world: the Spanish Flu of 1918-19, Americans accepted the guidance of public health officials as the country tried to cope with a disease which would kill 2.5% of those who contracted it - 675,000 people. The reaction to the COVID virus has been tribal rather than national. Public health agencies have been politicalized. And, I fear the acceptance of the vaccine is going to be equally tribal and political. Now, the virus has mutated, and no one knows how this mutation will react to the vaccines soon to be offered. One more anxiety to cope with as 2020 ends.
The vaccines have been compared as the light at the end of the tunnel of COVID. It's important to understand the light is a pinpoint in the distance. There's a long long way to go to turn that pinpoint into a sunrise. Since there are still some hard times to get through as 2021 begins, I've decided by New Year's resolutions are going to be along the following lines:
1) Practice kindness.
2) Count your blessings when anxiety overwhelms.
3) Make your 'go to' reaction sympathy rather than anger.
4) Consider the possibility that people who think differently from me may be deluded rather than enemies.
5) Confront my own racism. This is a huge issue in the United States - no matter what your race.
We are all affected by it. If you think you aren't affected, ask yourself this question: How many friends do I have that are of a different race than I am? The smaller that number, the more you need to confront yourself because you've never heard directly from someone you know about how a different race is affected by racism.
6) Practice tolerance. Also known as ' Walk a mile in someone else's shoes.'
7) Donate to a charity - even the smallest amount can make a difference.
8) Support local culture. Oh, are these people hurting after 2020, and all they do is make my life richer.
9) Contact someone who has been isolated by the pandemic.
10) Smile.
Yes, yes, I know - no one can live up to all those resolutions, but it's not right to not even try. I'm going to give them my best shot. I invite you to join me or to ponder how your personal resolutions can make you feel better and more hopeful in 2021.
