Insomnia is a writers friend. At least that's what I been telling myself. Although I spend MANY restless and sleepless nights, I am quite proud of myself for the tiny milestones that I experienced in 2017.
I'm blasting into 2018 on somewhat of a roll and I want to maintain and increase my momentum to keep things going. We are on the cusp of a life changing move into the country on a 5 acre parcel of land where sits my 2,200 sq. ft. castle. Oh how I have longed to get back to country life, in all it's relaxing splendor.
I have found the meaning of life.
Reflect. Be grateful. Be thankful. Relax, Plan. Engage. Build. Progress. Repeat.
How very true. How few people actually practice this. Take paying income tax for example. WHY would not learn everything you possibly can about this?
Yet you faithfully pay your taxes every April 15, or you file to get a portion of what has been taken from you the entire year. I actually know people who have no problem with this and have no clue about the tax code that determines what you pay to be governed. They simply do what they are told. To comply.
It is social indoctrination and we are formed since birth the ways to fit into society. We are never taught how to think, instead we are taught what to think about. Religion is notorious and should be ashamed for their part in it all.
What is the result?
People trained to be and act a certain way, as society dictates. If you think outside the box or go against the flow, you are looked on as a freak. We are taught to pay taxes and believe in a Christian God because that is what our parents believe, and their parents, and their parents parents for generations.
It's time to start thinking for ourselves, face reality and stop worrying about hurting peoples feelings. Our society needs to shake off the falseness and embrace reality and who we are. We have been conditioned to accept our roles, without question.
I wrote this a few years back and I was reminded of it as Sue took down our Christmas tree this year. As I have done every year, i have the slightest feeling of loss and just a bit of sadness as we face the reality of the new year.
I look at it with anticipation of new adventures, new beginnings, new ups, new downs. Let's make it a good one.
Goodbye Old
Friend
January 2, 2013
They provide us much joy yet they are the single most abused living
creature on the face of the planet. When they are no longer useful to us they
are simply stripped of their adornments and cast to the curb awaiting their
inevitable destruction. Throughout the years their name has changed and songs
have been written about them and this year as I see growing numbers being
discarded unceremoniously I can’t help feeling a bit melancholy as I
procrastinate doing what I know I must. Seeing it stand sentry in my living
room window, still wearing the remnants of holiday garb like a passed out drunk
wearing the accouterments of debauchery, looking worn and pitiful after the
party ends.
My yule tree, decorated with tiny colored lights and shiny ornaments helped me
celebrate the winter solstice and served double time as a Happy New Year tree,
a tradition that was started a couple of years ago in my family, has served me
well this year. It’s hard to believe that the holidays are actually over and I
too must strip down and dispose of what has become a friend over the last six
weeks.
I think what really bugs me the most is that now I have to face the reality of
winter without further distraction of yuletide cheer. The once gaudily
decorated houses will now go dark making the cold in the air seem more biting.
I will now notice the nakedness of the trees and the blankness of the
neighborhood. People in general will go back to their grumpy old ways as the
spirt that gripped them a few short days ago disappears with every tick of the
clock. The only redeeming quality of this time of the season is that the
menacing bell ringers that graced the entrance to many a store with their red
pots filled with the generosity of shoppers, will no longer guilt you into
donating as "Merry Christmas" falls from their lips.
Now it’s time to break New Year’s resolutions. It’s a time for us
to look at the coming year with high hopes and anticipation of a year better
than the last. A time for both reflection and of planning.
A positive time.
So as I conclude this ode to an old friend, I see it still standing
at its post. The lights are turned off and the decorations are a bit askew but
STILL looking as noble as ever. I get the feeling that even IT is ready. It has
served its purpose and I too must be that person that callously tosses the
source of joy aside to make way for the promise of the future. The ornaments
will be packed carefully away and the lights must be unstrung and wrapped
carefully, knowing that I will curse and swear as I attempt to detangle them
next year. And then it will lay bare before me somehow knowing that he served
me well. A job well done. Until the seasons pass and before you know it, we
will be doing the same things again. Just another year older when our old
friend comes for another visit.
