The New Year has come and gone already. Well, at least the celebrations of New Year’s Eve in whatever form they took depending on what part of the planet you’re on. And then there’s the stepping out into the prospects of what we hope might be a better year than the previous two, but which we suspect might be simply more of the same. At a time when many feel hopeful, but many more feel anxious, frustrated, fearful, lonely, or dismissive, good old Albert Einstein can always be relied upon to bring a little nugget of insight.
Live for today
Hope for tomorrow
Simple, yet true. Most of us wish the powers that be would take more heed of the first line, and not just rely on the others as they deliver their daily spin on things. I bought my 2022 diary a couple of months ago, waiting with anticipation until I could tote around my own miniature Banksy. This Covid world may restrict our movements, but there are no restrictions on filling each day with doing something unexpected, pursuing dreams, showing kindness, being grateful, acknowledging the power and beauty of nature, and making the most of whatever opportunities come our way. There had to be a poem in there somewhere, so after several unhappy drafts, this still rather unsatisfying attempt is the best I can do at this point.
Another year begins
and I’m resolved
to not make any
New Year resolutions
for all our futures are unsure
as we restrict what we can do
but I would like to think
as it unfolds
I could look back and see
in some small measure
better substitutions
For my Banksy diary
encourages me
to dare that I can fill it
with more than just appointments
a record of time spent working
to a tried and true routine
but rather intersperse
this testament of life’s
little disappointments
with moments of spontaneity
splashes of colour
and unrecorded
flights of fancy
as it will come
greet the sun
be thankful to have seen
the dawn of yet another one
head out the door
with open eyes and open heart
attune each sense
and be aware
that each new day is a new start.
