I cannot say I have a wealth of words of wisdom to share with you today....
... that won't stop me from trying! :)
Except Aunt Isabelle's saying that I've embraced and loved for decades: "And This Too Shall Pass".
Folks have been getting by and getting on with life long before a pandemic interrupted our somewhat predictable lives. And maybe what better way to get/grab/hold our attention than a major change in status that has such far-reaching effects?
I don't take this lightly.
I take most things with a grain of salt. I categorize things in simple ways:
1. Things I can change
2. Things I can't change
3. Wisdom to know the difference.
Sound familiar, my friends?
I have let the Serenity Prayer guide me since I was part of an Alateen group when I was twelve years old. I couldn't change my parents' drinking, but I could plot my own future. And I did. And it included someday being a published author with lots of books.
So here's what I'm saying...
We all face adversity. Part of what strengthens us, part of what molds us, part of what builds our character is adversity. In some ways, I see the changes caused by the pandemic as a test and a character builder for young folks. Young folks in college, who have solid parental support, who have had fairly golden lives all of a sudden are dealing with adversity.
Remote classes.
No parties.
Having to come up with ingenious ways to complete work, and deal with closed dorms, timed meals, and for a lot of colleges, single rooms with very little or no mingling.
Adversity builds us.
It teaches us. It drives complacency away, pushes smugness aside, and actually makes us work harder. Longer.
Have you seen that meme on Facebook that talked about what the "Greatest Generation" faced, folks born since 1910?
A world war that took over 20 million people.
A worldwide deadly pandemic that claimed over 50 million people.
A worldwide depression.
No jobs.
Mass numbers of suicides.
Lost homes.
Rise of Nazism.
Another world war, World War 2, 60 million dead.
Korean War.
Vietnam War.
The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centers..... and more.
Our parents and grandparents didn't just survive. They tried and thrived. They didn't give up. So when we're asked to deal with some adversity, I say we do it. We pull our big kid panties up and get on with it because if we weaken... if we become too complacent and are unwilling to meet adversity face to face and deal with whatever comes our way, then we become the weak link. The torn thread. The worn fabric.
I look at 2020 and say "Well, then..."
And I look at 2021 and say "Bring it."
Because no matter what happens, no matter what comes our way, no matter what surprises this year holds, the strength of faith reigns... the gift of hope eases the way... the blessing of love is ours.
We are blessed. We just don't always see those blessings.
So today I'm wishing you a Happy New Year! I refuse to lament 2020 because I had no control over it... it is what it is.
But I am darned certain that I will work to have and effect and control the things I can because that's what we're designed to do... unless we weaken our resolve.
And that's the last thing I want to see happen to this amazing and beautiful country.
Bossy inspirational author Ruth Logan Herne thinks that life is way too special to take lightly and way too fragile to waste so she writes sweet books in the dead of night, plays with grandkids, teaches a couple of cute fifth graders, runs a busy and thriving pumpkin farm and is of the belief that if you want something done, get on the git! :) With over 60 books published, Ruthy is not only living her dream of being a published author, but appreciating God's great and abundant blessings and she wishes the very same for you! Write to Ruthy at loganherne@gmail.com, friend her on Facebook or visit Ruthy's website ruthloganherne.com
