Barry Manilow “Just Another New Year’s Eve”
(Yes, back in the mid 70s, I was a Barry Manilow fan. I’ve since recovered)
As I write this, people in the U.S. are beginning their prep to welcome in 2015. Parties are rising from boxes and bags, special “good luck” dinners are being cooked, candles lit (raise the energy level), etc.
Goodbye 2014.
Some folks will look back on this year remembering events of great joy such as weddings, babies, dream careers going up several notches, and the year will have been a banner for them.
Others, myself included, will not mourn its passing. For us, it has been a year of trial, loss, and in some cases, the masks being ripped away from so-called friends to show the nastiness hidden behind.
This was a year of losing what no longer served, learning who friends are, and figuring out what the lessons were I needed to learn. And figure them out, I did.
1) I got by with a LOT of help from my friends. )apologies to John, Paul, George, and Ringo)
Thanks to those who helped me quickly and efficiently leave a hostile living situation with an increasingly unstable roommate.
2) George Lucas was right. In an interview after “Return of the Jedi” was released, he referenced Joseph Campbell discussing the Ewoks: “When you’re nice to the little bunny on the side of the road…” I forget the rest of the quote, but it had to do with help from unexpected sources.
Ewok.
George Lucas. Spot the difference.
I received help when I needed it from VERY unexpected sources. I've never been sky diving, but it's been like free falling without being sure you have a parachute, let alone one that will open in time. And no, it's not fun.
3) Even in the midst of turbulence and uncertainty, there can be peace and joy.
I got to attend John Williams at the Hollywood Bowl, 3 shows with friends of mine in them (all excellent), I got to the movies I wanted to see, it wasn't "omigodomigodomigod" for 24/7/365.
I also started a Facebook page in August called Medieval Merriment. Some of the posts have gone viral with 40,000 views and 2100 members from around the world. It's nice to be able to lift spirits with that kind of reach.
While my book sales haven't been what I'd envisioned (yet), the positive reviews keep coming. I turned out quality products and they WILL find their footing, even without support from a couple of sources. Remember Lesson 2? You can't be two-faced to the bunny on the side of the road.
There are other lessons learned that I am not sharing here. Important ones, but they’re for me.
“Hey, 2015? Before you come in, we’ve got to lay down some rules…”