Reflections from a Wistful Woman 2022: The post-pandemic years…

As I muse the turn of another calendar year, a stab of pain pierces my heart at the many beautiful friends that I do not get to start this new year with. I lost seven very good life long friends last year, and they leave a rather large hole in my world that I just don’t know how to fill up. And I am not the only one that starts this year kind of taking stock of their losses, and finds themselves suddenly reorganizing and reviewing their life plan. Things have changed greatly in our lives, and its woven its way into the fabric of who we are.

"Where on Earth does one grow up thinking that the world must take into account how we FEEL about anything? How did the tides turn to make folks feel as if the world owes them consideration at all, much less, owes them more than anyone else. While they, give little to nothing in return back to the world they take so greedily from."

I had a personal tragedy to face, and lost an eye as well as greater use of my primary arm due to a mysterious infection that still hasn’t been diagnosed. I lost my job, my home, my car and my independence within three months. My best friend of thirty years betrayed me and we parted ways, my adult children are too busy for me and doing much more important things, and this world is a scary and grouchy place to be fun-loving, carefree, and bubbly Liz anymore. I’m a crab-apple, a hum-bug, and a Karen. And. I. Do. Not. Care. If. You. Like. It. Well, I sure don’t. Last year I saw many of you who were offended by me, what I do, and how I do it. Suddenly, my life was trending as a topic to which much concern and care was given to how much I offend their tender emotional inner child. Aww. How Darling. Where on Earth does one grow up thinking that the world must take into account how we FEEL about anything? How did the tides turn to make folks feel as if the world owes them consideration at all, much less, owes them more than anyone else. While they, give little to nothing in return back to the world they take so greedily from. There is no standard to behaviour or social manners anymore, indeed the manners and conversational appropriate language was the first to go. Little thought or respect goes into life anymore and it shows. This world is not the same, and just as the last two years has taken much from me, I am not the same in it. I’m right to be a bit apprehensive about the upcoming year, and I’m right to be working on who and what I am now, minus the eye. It takes a lot of work on yourself to overcome the brutality of this world. We all should be doing it. Self-reflection and self-care should be requirements for life. So take stock this morning my friends, count your blessings and when you get to the end? Count them again. If you have ONE, you are already doing better than most folks out there. With the fresh page laid out before you, design your year, and decide to live with focus and integrity. Figure out what no longer serves you and PUT IT DOWN. Make room for good things to come in your life, and in fact, believe that you deserve good things! Take better care of yourself, and that means your body, your mind, and your heart. Don’t forget your spirit, and make sure you see to that too. Find something to believe in again!!! And lead by example please! We have no one to look up to anymore…or folks just stopped caring about manners. Find you some of those too, while you are at it. “Please” and “thank you” and “excuse me” will do for starters. GIVE BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY….MANY STRUGGLE TODAY! The best thing you can do is to hurry up and do something meaningful for someone in great need right now, as you can not be grateful in your heart and also be feeling sorry for yourself at the same time. And it shows you that your problems may be big to you, but to someone else? They are nothing compared to what they are going thru. Open your heart to compassion for people, and learn to trust yourself and others again. If you wish for honesty, you have to be an honest person yourself. If you wish for compassion, you must put others before yourself in all things. Don’t make new year resolutions! Nope. Make lasting life changes, a little at a time, consistently over time, and gradually those changes will weave a tapestry of love and charm into your life. Pick up a new hobby, find a new job if you hate yours, move if you can’t stand where you live, and for Gods sake, if you are not happy or being treated well in your relationships, then either seek assistance with fixing them, or END THOSE RELATIONSHIPS. There is no better time than NOW to make changes that could put you in a whole other place by this time next year. Chose Love over Hate…..Stop voting straight ticket….eat the cheesecake but double tomorrow’s run to compensate. DON’T IGNORE LIFE”S RED FLAGS. And stop talking about changing your life, and take some action to actually do it. IF we each just fixed our own issues, there would be no others in the world; once you fix your own heart, the rest just takes care of itself. Please reflect on what you can do to make your world a better place, and enjoy a spanking bright new day….as the first day of this year and the first day of your new lease on life. Complaining about your life, victimizing yourself, blaming others, BEING OFFENDED, is so last year. This year is about leadership, how you take that first step forward, and how its brave to change yourself. Self-care, helping others, and being accountable for your effect on the world will change how you see this life. Its precious. And we are wasting it. Have a lovely holiday everyone. Mad love and respect for where ever your journey finds you at today. Be humble, stay grateful, and when all else fails, dance it out babe. Till next time my friends, Elisabeth Edgell Have a great New Year!!!