So, as this year closes this evening,and the New Year begins after midnight, I know many are glad to see this one fade into the past. 2020 has been most unusual as it has affected everyone on the planet in one way or another,and has brought to light that our comings and goings affect everyone- in ways we never imagined before. And many are having a difficult time with that. The needing to mask,social dstance,and deal with the fact that our deciding not to cooperate with these mandates could possibly make others sick,or ourselves sick, has met with great resistance by some,even in the face of medical statistics that show the virus at an all time high in my home state of California. I remember as a kid the 70's were known as the "me generation". Well let me tell you,having grown up in the 70's, those people have nothing on the present people refusing to mask much less admit we're in the midst of a very deadly pandemic. And thereby helping to spread it,making lockdowns go into infinity. I have one mail carrier who defiantly wears his face mask on his chin- refusing to place it over his nose & mouth even when needing to speak with people. Thankfully I have a few masks and one is always in my pocket when I go outside so I won't be put at risk by non mask wearers.
That all being said, I want to ask you to think about something: how has this past year,with it's challenges, aided in your personal evolution? For me,this has been the first Christmas I've spent entirely on my own that I actually enjoyed it. I decorated right after Thanksgiving,and have felt the joy of the season,and feel like I successfully passed an important test: to not rely on others to be my joy.to make my holiday jolly,which meant I didn't go thru a feeling gloomy or lonely for the first time since my Dad passed 4 years ago. I've learned to emotionally stand on my own two feet,for which I am thankful. (and no,this didn't mean I was oblivious to the fact many had gotten very sick and/or lost loved ones. Believe me,that continues to be on my mind daily,and I'm very grateful to still be here,and in the present moment,healthy)
I've also come to realize my playing music and teaching others to play online is a gift to others for which I'm grateful for. Once we went into lockdown the first time in March,I offered to teach online via Zoom for free or for whatever people wanted to give. I teach ukulele, bluegrass and clawhammer 5 string banjo,and bluegrass on Irish tenor banjo at the time of this writing.
I started offering this so people who now quarantined at home would have something to do- something to give them joy. (I'm still doing this,BTW so if you're interested, drop me a line on my contact page!) Doing this also was an evolution into the fact I can make a big difference in people's lives from my living room. Being at home all the time has not made me useless. In fact,it's made me more productive!
I have no idea what 2021 will bring as far as further New Years' Evolutions go,aside from continuing to teach and continued personal growth. I have decided to look at 2021 as an adventure into new ways of living,seeing,and doing. Wishing you all a very Happy and Healthy New Year!
That all being said, I want to ask you to think about something: how has this past year,with it's challenges, aided in your personal evolution? For me,this has been the first Christmas I've spent entirely on my own that I actually enjoyed it. I decorated right after Thanksgiving,and have felt the joy of the season,and feel like I successfully passed an important test: to not rely on others to be my joy.to make my holiday jolly,which meant I didn't go thru a feeling gloomy or lonely for the first time since my Dad passed 4 years ago. I've learned to emotionally stand on my own two feet,for which I am thankful. (and no,this didn't mean I was oblivious to the fact many had gotten very sick and/or lost loved ones. Believe me,that continues to be on my mind daily,and I'm very grateful to still be here,and in the present moment,healthy)
I've also come to realize my playing music and teaching others to play online is a gift to others for which I'm grateful for. Once we went into lockdown the first time in March,I offered to teach online via Zoom for free or for whatever people wanted to give. I teach ukulele, bluegrass and clawhammer 5 string banjo,and bluegrass on Irish tenor banjo at the time of this writing.
I started offering this so people who now quarantined at home would have something to do- something to give them joy. (I'm still doing this,BTW so if you're interested, drop me a line on my contact page!) Doing this also was an evolution into the fact I can make a big difference in people's lives from my living room. Being at home all the time has not made me useless. In fact,it's made me more productive!
I have no idea what 2021 will bring as far as further New Years' Evolutions go,aside from continuing to teach and continued personal growth. I have decided to look at 2021 as an adventure into new ways of living,seeing,and doing. Wishing you all a very Happy and Healthy New Year!
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