As we are entering the final hours of 2011, I reflect back on a year that has left me at a loss for words.  I will try to put some thoughts together here to sum up this strange and roller coaster-esque 2011, but more importantly to convey my wishes for a better 2012.  This past year I predicted the start of the Occupy protests across this country and  lo and behold, they happened.  I have long had strong opinions about the crash of the US housing market and economy and have wondered why it has taken so long for the 99% to get fed up and insist on change.  To insist on a system where every person has some semblance of a chance to get ahead, to have some stability, to work a normal and fair work week and to have some quality of life.  It has started, but the changes will be slow and the progress limited, I do believe.  I suppose being in an underwater mortgage has left me a wee bit cynical.

But I have a lot of good in my life, a great deal for which to be grateful and that is what I will focus on for my final post of 2011.

A happy and healthy three and a half year old, is at the top of my list.  He makes my day, each and every day.  His love, ridiculous sense of humor and infectious laugh are priceless gems.  His ability to “rescue” Gramma via skype in his virtual helicopter is the best entertainment one could wish for.  He is a true child of this millennium!

A warm home (cool in summer), a nice car, a steady job for my husband, food on the table, presents under the tree, internet access and good health is really all pretty darned good.  Let’s keep it this way for 2012 and life will be grand.

I’m not big on resolutions – particularly when stats show that most people never keep them.  So I often like to do a list of wishes and dreams from the cosmic waitress (thankyou Dr. Laura Berman for that term) :

For 2012 I wish that our unsettled future becomes clear and stable.  I wish that my family and friends remain in good health.    I wish that Maxim continues to grow, learn, be happy and funny and remain in perfect health.  I wish that I have chances to visit my family in Canada and our family from France will visit us as planned.  I wish that we will receive some good news in dealing with this underwater mortgage – bankers, it’s time to pay up.  I wish that I find the time and inspiration to write as much as I truly want to.  I wish that the world shifts just a little to take better care of ALL people.  I wish that I won’t have to hear any more nonsense about Kardashians, Brad Pitt, Lady Gaga and the like (getting rid of cable and satellite TV has helped with that).  I wish for peace and understanding on this planet – just a little bit, please.

I don’t believe that the Mayan calendar really indicates that the end of the world is near.  But I do believe that we are on the verge of a colossal, global shift in our awareness and our raison d’etre.  We need to be.  We need to just do better.  Oprah’s wise words stick with me always – “when you know better, you do better”.  I think by now we all know better.  Take care of our planet and each other.  Empathy and kindness are in for 2012.  Greed and narcissism are out.

Peace on earth.

Dana

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