The New Year

 Wow. 2022; Am I right? 

What shall unfold as our collective path materializes forward in front of us? As it seems that the collective narrative of 2020 was literally just the worst thing ever; A dumpster fire of a year. Then 2021 showing itself to being the less threatening younger bother who still kick our shins when we thought we were free from reach. And yet 2022 shows its hope and promise.

For me, 2021 was actually an incredibly great set of collective months. We lucked into an incredible new house that is walkable to small shops, including a neighborhood grocery store. It is a quick walk to the city's Botanic Gardens and the gay park. Sure the former inhabitants died from the pandemic, but it opened up and we now have a corner view of tree-lined streets. Being an HR Manger in health care, there was only one staff member struct down, and I help establish a policy to extend sick pay to individuals unable to work due to quarantine requirements. I am insufferable when it comes to office cleanliness, making all staff submit paperwork via a protected drobox I wont touch for hours under the thought that the virus dies on printed paper after four hours. I idea I made up, with no facts for back up.

I  believe it's more about making small, but healthy sets of coping skills for each individuals' comfort rather than  going crazy believing that our fragile society will collapse in a bloody cue at any point. Faced with mortality, in 2021 we saw what happens when a group of frightened people are capable of doing when blinded by fear. They turn to any sense of safety seemly based on a false memory of the past were skin color, heteronormative falsehoods, and a grip of fake Christin ideals gave them perceived safety and power. How easily these frightened people can be manipulated and fooled by false idols. Where the simple of  "equality" is a threat to their history and faith. How is another member of your community NOT wanting to be targeted and murdered by gate-keeping police somehow a threat to neo-Christianity?

There is a feeling around the new year that we can't ignore.  It is about the path of a new year that materializes before us. And, as 2020 and 2021 taught us; It is our choice to walk on the sunny side of the path or hold on to false narratives we tell ourselves and stick to the shady side of the path.