"Dear Children of the Universe-Part Two"

 

Dear Children of the Universe,     

When I was younger, I dreaded New Year's Eve.  I did.  My world was an endless series of "un-events."  Nothing seemed memorable.  A sense of relief would then overcome me as the sun rose on a new year but for a very long time, every year seemed liked the last.  I wanted to be prettier, popular, TALLER.  Nothing sustained personal joy.  What I did not realize then was all of those emotions were more than normal.  In fact, if I could be a teenager again, I would change my focus from my own angst to being more courageous, fearless.  I would be more courageous.  I wouldn't talk myself out of doing the things, I knew I was destined to do.  

A new year is ahead and we all have a clean slate.  We can go further but only with a sense of bravery and of course, remembering to do the right thing by our health and those we love.  2020 has been the antithesis of what any of us have been accustomed to experiencing.  Your youth will be precious to you some day. Remember that. You were probably at times, wanting to feel isolated, and in 2020 you were given no choice but to isolate.  Isolation was a "call to action."  No one believed that the level of the pandemic would graduate to where it is.  The news was almost surreal.  You were asked to become more courageous and put other people first. You were asked to be masked in public.  You were asked to cover up the one true indicator of your emotions...your face.  The face tells all.  We can hide our emotions at will but in 2020 we hid as a matter of obligation.  I can not imagine being a teenager in 2020.  

I am here to tell you that if you can simply appreciate the efforts of your family, your guardians, then you can look forward to the world you will create as you age. Aging takes guts.  You may want to turn your back on your obligations.  You may want to escape your educational responsibiities.  Nothing makes sense to you right now and I am here to tell you, that there will be plenty that does not make sense as an adult either.  Yet you reach a point where you stop worrying about what other people thinks and find a way to build a life you can live with and if you are not happy, find the courage to change.  

Here's something else to ponder...not all of our plans work out the way we hope.   We need to be prepared for challenges.  Not every problem can be solved but most certainly can if you adhere to the idea of being patient and above all, communicate.  You may be wearing a mask but you still have a voice.  In fact, I have to remind myself of this on too many occasions.  We all have lapses in judgement.  We all try and fail and try again.  We must revel in the small successes as much as in the larger ones.  There are no "give backs."  There are no "half ways."  You are either committed or you are not.  It is all right either way but accept the decisions you make now and in the future.  

2021 is the time to reflect on the lessons you learned in 2020.  You can either be part of the progress in a new year or stay in the muck and mire of self-pity.   You can not live behind the mask forever.  Eventually you will breathe fresh air think of all of the ways 2020 has changed you,  I hope, or am hoping it will be for the better.  We desperately need your fresh energy, your creativity, and your compassion.  We are counting on you.

Happy New Year!