As I thought about 2023 today, I thought about what I wish for those I love and care for. Here's my wish list.
People in love
There are many people in love in my life, and I wish for them continued loving relationships--the kind of relationships where people contribute to each other's lives in positive, life enriching ways, and the kind of relationships where people have fun together and use their happiness and good relationship to lift other lives too.
People not in love
As someone who is happy to have a partner, I wish that for everyone, but I have to realize that it's not necessary for everyone to be in a relationship or married to be happy. There is happiness in all kinds of living and loving arrangements, hence I wish for those not in love that they build the kind of lives they desire and find the people in life that they enjoy. I remember when I wasn't in love and felt a lot of pressure related to that. My dad encouraged me to get out there and meet new people. That was good advice, advice that turned the sadness and frustration into better living.
Students
There are many students in my life, and what I wish for them is continued success with their studies. I hope they'll reach out for help when they need it, study what they love and need to know, persevere, and as much as possible make their studies meaningful and helpful to themselves and others. A good education can be challenging to get for all kinds of reasons, but it is a strength that empowers your entire life.
Advocates
Many of my loved ones work for good causes. That can be frustrating at times. I hope that they can keep up the good energy, effort, collaboration, and learning that supports the good causes they work for.
Lonely
Some of my loved ones are lonely due to loss or life circumstances. I wish for them the kinds of experiences that make the loneliness bearable and eventually mitigates or eradicates that loneliness.
Challenged
Many of those I love face big challenges. I hope they can find the supports and lifestyle they need to overcome those challenges in positive ways.
Children
I hope that the children in my midst get the love and care they need at home and in the community to live their best lives.
Gifted
So many people I know have terrific gifts, I hope they'll be able to nurture those gifts and use those gifts to build good lives for themselves and others.
Workers
For those who are employed in my midst, I wish them good work, the kind of honest, positive work that contributes to their work community in ways that lift lives. I hope they will have the strength to speak up when injustice occurs and to leave jobs that compromise their values and ethics in favor of better jobs that focus on positive work--the kind of work that builds strong, positive people and communities.
Essentially, I wish good living for all that I know and love. I actually wish good living for all people. I believe that we are all able to contribute to this in meaningful and essential ways, and we can help each other to do this. Onward.