The New Year. 2012.

So the New Year Celebration has come and gone.. I am always grateful that we witnessed no terrorist attacks.. can't help it. I get a bit apprehensive when all those people congregate in Time's Square.  You know, the world has changed since 9/11. I never worried before. There is a new fear felt by many. It may be driving a lot of the current divisiveness in the country right now. Fear. I don't know. Just a thought.

Phil and I spent most of the day together. I went out for a bit.. I had to. The day was so beautiful. I bought a few things for dinner and wandered the supermarket aisles talking to my neighbors. It was kinda lovely. I dressed up!

I made BLT's for dinner, along with deviled eggs and cole slaw from KFC. Sorry.. but I think KFC makes the BEST damn cole slaw! I make a special stop just to buy it.

We drank mimosas all day.. lazed on the couch trying to find news, and ultimately ended up watching a movie starring Colin Farrell. I like him. The movie was good. We watched the ball drop. My neighbors set off fireworks and many came outside with noisemakers. Joyous! Really.. cool!  All very old-school. I love where I live.

The decorations all come down tomorrow. The year is over. Time to start fresh. I used to keep every decoration up until the "Feast of The Epiphany." No one seems to know what that is anymore and it just looks like I'm lazy about getting the damn Christmas lights put away. So... I've abandoned that and now start the New Year unfettered. Day One.

I enjoy taking down the Christmas decorations as much as I enjoy putting them up. I get to see them once again. I don't really look at them once they are on the tree. I have some beautiful pieces. Some I've bought, but most are presents. Each one is special and reminds me of a person or a time. They are precious. I take great care and put each in its special box. I don't put decorations up willy-nilly anymore. Each decoration on the tree has a special meaning and has to have a special place.

In the next year we will all face challenges.. we have an important election, we have to find meaningful work, we have to remember to help each other through it all and we have to experience more ART. Really. Art changes and teaches and makes life meaningful. I want to read more, this year. I want to go to a museum now and again. I need to see more theatre. My resolutions.

Let us share. Let us learn from each other. Let us find the common ground and grow and change and together discover the divine. (Leave the suspicion, the arrogance, the anger, the divisiveness in 2011.)

We are one person. We are two alone. We are three together. We are four.. each other. (Crosby, Stills, and Nash)

I am unfettered by religious constructs. I do not have the intention of challenging your faith, though I do think you should take a good look at it and at the original intent of that faith. I am tolerant of many things and most beliefs, but I will no longer tolerate beliefs that do not tolerate me. There is an end.

Open your eyes and see the wider more wonderful world of glorious people around you. Your "God" loves "everybody." Why don't you?  Look to your own scriptures. Then, look to your politics and "render to Caesar." Why are you all so stupid?

No, that is unkind. But, know this. It is 2012! For Goodness Sake! WAKE UP! I'm done with your archaic beliefs that only support your prejudices. The planet and its people are suffering. Money means NOTHING. Help and understanding and education and art are everything. It is about who we are. Societies are judged by how the least are treated. Take a good look.

If you are looking for heaven, you may be on the wrong track.

My most sincerest wish to all my readers for a Happy New Year. Let us all hope that some sense comes from all this conflict.

xo
m.