A new year, and January is already exhausted from its days consumed with the world’s stress. I imagine this month is warning: “February, be prepared, because not even your Valentine’s Day can heal our hearts.” What will the end of this year look like, with so many days of each month cluttered with uncertainties?
Another observation is how quickly time passes after the age of fifty. It’s as if my generation wants a do-over—to push the delete button and step back to their younger selves, when life wasn’t bombarded with the price of tea.
I thought moving to Europe would be an easy reward after years of planning. Yet, the reality is that home is inside yourself, and not a physical place. I’m happy with my decision, and this is the truest statement about me. And as I age, I like the mirror’s reflection. I’ve learned from friendships and in my life’s lessons, there’s no cure for what you don’t know, but what you do with what you know, can help make the days on the calendar bearable.
If there’s a take-away from the beginning of 2026, life is uncertain, and no matter how much you prepare, there’s always going to be that unforeseen stone to trip you. I think of the lives being disrupted by racism and violence. I think of fears growing like weeds, and the challenges douching voices clamoring to speak their minds. What is their reward?
Friends in the States often ask if it was worth it—leaving behind all I knew to walk in uncomfortable-new-shoes. My answer is the same: WHY NOT?
I have no control, whether it’s here or there, but what I have is faith and a belief in a better and wiser humanity. I can show kindness in the smallest task to a stranger, and choose not to look at the days of the calendar in news segments. Because days in a calendar are the same, just spoken in different languages. People want to see more gardens than weeds, to stay connected to friends and family, and to live without fear.
“Time doe not change us. It just unfolds us.” Max Friseh
This sentence you wrote jumped out at me: “There’s no cure for what you don’t know, but what you do with what you know can help make the days on the calendar bearable.” Having spent days filled with anger at the evil invading our society, killing innocent people in the name of what??? I was relieved to have that accumulated anger dissipate during a cranial sacral session yesterday. That anger was poisoning me… Your comment gave me another way to look at the way I was allowing myself to be manipulated into despair, anger and even hatred, none of which is bearable. Bless you, Cheryl. God be with us all!
Donna, thank you for your kind words. Just breathe and try again.
Hi Cheryl, Well, here we are well into February, and I’m just now replying to your blog received in January. Although what you wrote is realistic and continues on today, I find it necessary for myself to balance out the disheartening news with other different more encouraging viewpoints. One, is accepting that I’m not in control, and to give-over, and trust that somehow, somewhere there is a higher order at play, at which we will eventually arrive. Not to say my heart doesn’t want to freeze at all the cruelty we humans are capable of inflicting on each other, but to hold the hope that what is being played out will in some way teach us all the error of our ways, and then take the necessary steps to correct ourselves and become more humane. Incredulous as much of it is, for me, I think the best we can do is hold to the hope that we will eventually come to our senses. I balance all this out by listening to what are wise voices coming through in various podcasts et al that keep me inspired to hold on and not go all the way down into depression. I had a second cousin who was a sculptress in days past of my parents generation, with pieces she had sculptured named ‘reconciliation,’ one was placed at Hiroshima. She used a phrase I like, “We have to keep on, keeping on,” from which gain strength. Brits, of which I am one, have the expression, “Chin up!” so dear friend, I trust you will find experiences in your days that will lighten your heart and perhaps even bring a smile to you. It’s often in the little things.
Much love to you and Tom.
Hi Zoe, keeping a realistic perspective on what one can and can’t do is honestly challenging, because of the choices that change each day. I think the best anyone can do is to access what’s important and try to make a difference. Finding joy, in spite of the life’s disappointments from family, from friends, choices made for you, or missed opportunities, can’t be held too tight. All we can do it shake it off, try again, and hope the example we lead will make a difference. I’m learning and growing, even at this stage in my life. Thank you for your words of wisdom.