The year 2020 is coming to an end. Who would have thought the world would have been under the grips of a virus when we started the year? Many people will use the phrase “dumpster fire” when describing this past year, and I’m sure those words passed my lips as well. We can likely all think of a handful of positives that 2020 brought. Nature is still here, and will remain here as we head into this next year. We should all make an effort to enjoy it. We can be as close as we want to it, no 6 foot rule applies.

We can all dictate what our next year will be. Even if we don’t have complete control, we have control of our response. Only one person is in charge of our response. That’s something I’d like to get a better handle on in this next year, to be more in charge of how I respond. If I’m mad at a checkout person being slow, it is me who makes the decision to be mad. If I’m irritated at a driver going slower than me, it is me who makes the decision to be irritated. What if I had a better response? Would it not feel better to replace that negative feeling with understanding and courtesy? In reality, every time I get upset at someone for being slow, it doesn’t actually make the situation speed up. All it does is make me angry, and that serves no one. It sounds like a great idea to me if I can eliminate some of these negative thoughts during my day, and that decision is completely in my control. I always realize things like this sound so simple and easy, and many times they’re not, but at least if I can try to remind myself that I’m in control of my responses.

I just heard a song I’ve always found so captivating: Tommy James and the Shondells’ 1968 hit Crimson and Clover. The title came from James’ favorite color of crimson and favorite flower the clover. To me, it’s one of those songs that sends chills of excitement. Closing your eyes, and imaging the interaction he is singing of, “my, my such a sweet thing.”

I hope everyone has a better year than the last. Not because the last was horrible, but because I hope that every year is always better than the last. There’s always something to be thankful for, there’s always something to look forward to. And if you can’t figure out what that is, then start with something simple like the sky, the moon, some grass, or a bird. It is all there for our enjoyment.