The past year has been a year of deep learning. Most of that learning happened in the sphere of relationships, relationships challenged by a raging pandemic, illness, economic needs and unexpected life changes. In some ways, life past was rolling along quickly without a lot of thought--we were traveling expected seasonal, work and family patterns of collaboration, celebration, recreation and work. Then the pandemic struck and that challenged life as we knew it--we had to think anew at almost every juncture. In some ways, these new ways of living were embraced by almost everyone and in other ways there were grave differences of opinion and action. This created strife that caused us to analyze, think and make changes.
Now, thanks to vaccinations and other public health measures, the threat of COVID-19 has been reduced and we are able to gather again. Yet, we've all changed, so how will this new chapter begin. What will we do?
For me, I hope to move ahead with greater love, respect, humanity, courage, knowledge and action to be present, help out, listen and care for those I love and live with. It was the loving relationships and good work that kept us hopeful, happy and positive during the most frightening and limiting pandemic days.
The garden, intimate family relationships, enjoying the natural world and nutritious, healthy living gave us many positive experiences in the past two years. This was good and these are ways to live that fulfill us and make us happy. I want to continue to invest in these lifeways.
I also want to cherish and nurture the relationships I enjoy. Prior to the pandemic, in some ways, I took my many connections for granted. Life was fast, connections were many and time was short. The pandemic made us all slow down significantly and it lessened the ease and readiness of our relationships. This made me realize just how important those relationships are to good living and how those relationships only grow deeper and better when given good time, attention and unconditional love.
It has been a deep year of learning and I look forward to using what I learned to better the depth and good living in the days ahead. Onward.