Happy New Year - Out with the old and new beginnings

It is my first day back and I am on my way to recovery from a cold (hopefully). I started to feel better yesterday and I am easing my way back into work. This morning while listening to the news I heard President Biden talk about the one year anniversary of the attack on Captital hill. I remember that day and forgot it was on the Epiphany which is my last day of having my Christmas displays out. This weekend I am hoping to get everything down, at least most of it. Hearing the President reminded me of that horrid day when I became concerned regarding democracy in the States. I believe in the democratic system and in freedom. The President said that one policeman said he was more afraid that day than he was as a soldier in Iraq. That was the most powerful statement I felt because I understood it. You expect that from battle, but not on your home turf. I hope that after a full investigation that all parties will have their justice due. He never named the previous President and I am glad, because I prefer to never hear that name again either. Deomocracy should never be taken for granted. That is out with the old. New Years Eve I spent with Ryan Seacrest in my living room. Actually I was watching him on the screen. It was different this year. I didn't recognize too many faces but it was nice to see who performed before. Aside from him I didn't recognize the other hosts except for Puerto Rico. I didn't realize that two of my favourite actors were married to each other. The Rookie and Paradise Island united. The performance there was also my favourite. I also watched our own show and that was more than a tad boring. I did a lot of fast forwarding. I was disappointed to hear that Ryan Seacrest was being bashed by a CNN host with his sidekick laughing beside him. It may be time to exchange my CNN channel. I have it because it reports the news 24/7 and if there is a disaster they usually cover it. However, I also expect professionalism and what I saw on a clip bashing Seacrest was not. Out with the old and new channel coming. I got sick Jan 1, full force and it had nothing to do with the small champagne bottle of Moet I have every New Years. I was shamefully in bed by 11:30 New Years Eve and now I know why. Yesterday I started feeling better and it is a good thing. I am self isolating once again and ordering my food. I don't want anyone else to catch my cold. I also found a New Hair salon who takes the pandemic seriously, so it is out with the old and in with the new. If I could make a New Years Resolution for the world I would suggest making this one, a year of self care. Our Nurses and Doctors are being asked to work more, not take holidays and return to work before they are healthy to do so. My recommendation - do not. Take care of yourselves first. Our government has been reducing costs for the health care and other departments of health or police services and now they expect everyone to step up. I suggest the government steps up instead. This was all predicted but as usual unless a threat is staring you in the face, it is ignored. This has been a difficult time for everyone but it has also been an awakening. If you are not well, take that sick time. If you are due your holiday, take it. The politicians are not there to see your struggles as you become overwhelmed. Take the time - heal. For a short time many can work around the clock. Been there done that. However, in the long term it cannot be sustained. Don't feel guilty because the guilt is not yours to take. On the news one reporter said a psychologist told him that people are suffering from learned helplessness. I disagree and don't think we are there yet because unlike Pavlov's dogs who had no choice but to sustain such cruelty. We do. This is not permanent. You have choices. The last two years has been a wake up call for people who are in unhealthy relationships. You have a choice. You can continue being miserable or you can do something about it. Society now has everyone in a household working and children are left at school. It worked fine. There has been more money but things changed didn't they. Things cost a heck of a lot more, and choices minimized. I agree that it is important for children to be socialized and school is a wonderful place for it. However, the health of the child is paramount. Last night our city suffered the loss of a child less than four years old to COVID. What a devestating nightmare for a parent. I have always liked Moslow's hierarchy of Needs because it made so much sense to me. Please get vaccinated this year or seriously consider it. Protect yourselves as much as possible. I am still waiting for my booster shot and I am on a calling list. I can't go if I am sick but as soon as I am healed I shall bug pharmacies once again. This year I will be able to catch up with everything and re-examine what I want in my next chapter. I will shortly return to my own writing which I paused completely during the holidays. I did have fun though. I find that people are afraid to say no to visitors. This is a good time to practise saying no. "Do you want to work over time?" Response. "No. I am sorry." "We need you back." Answer: "No, I cannot. I don't want to burn out and I need to take care of myself so I can be the best when I return." That is just a suggestion. The pandemic is not disappearing any time soon, but you can adapt until it does. What are you willing to change? What do you have control of? Are you doing what you want to do? Are you with who supports you and loves you? Are you a healthy positive family? You have choices. You are not helpless. So, I sincerely wish you a positive movement to self care this new promising year. Happy New Year world.