a New Year’s message from Rick Thompson
Every year I do a post on the New Year and how we can be kinder to each other, how there is a bright sky on the horizon and we have reason to hold on to optimism and show grace toward our fellow humans.
Not this year, people. This year, it’s personal.
In 2021 I want you to find your fire, and then let it burn you from the inside out.
Last year was a mirror into which we should all take a long hard look. 2020 showed us the ugly side of our species. I saw myself hating on friends for NOTHING. I coveted the comfortable relationships of my peers, I was jealous of the shiny objects others held that I really don’t need, and I wished ill on people I barely know. Things which brought me joy in the past were thorns in the soles of my feet. When savagery comes as easy as kindness, there is an imbalance which must be addressed.
I learned these things about myself from watching YOU. I watched you, the human race, be racist and get comfortable with it. I watched greed drive men to hoard wealth while their fellowes struggled in bread lines. I watched faith become distrust, which beget disgust, which resulted in detachment. Our similarities were shelved in favor of a dialog on difference. Each kindness was met with criticism, not because we don’t believe in kindness, but because we were so on the attack we never put the weapons away.
This year, 2021, you are tasked with finding the real YOU. Fuck the world and it’s destructive distractions. Who are you? Not, what are your values, but… what makes you happy? What delivers a smile to your face? Which people bring you up- and, why don’t others? Where is your passion? I mean real PASSION, not your vocation, your education nor your obligation- what generates your PASSION?
2020 was a year of catastrophic distraction. 2020 took us out of who we really are. The virus is a tough customer, but our true enemy is ourselves. The reverse is also true- our true healer is our self, too. Evaluate yourself by looking at the mirror of 2020- do I see myself in the actions of others? Was I chasing my passion, or was I reacting to the bitter words of broken people? Was more emotional energy spent in producing hate, or in allowing love?
2021 is all about searching the inner YOU and rediscovering the fire that burns your midnight oil. Stoke the flames of your inner joy and ignore the distractions. If your flame is low, seek inspiration or fellowship. Find a kindred spirit and take direction. Feed your fire. Make a conscious decision to tune out the negative and then, self-explore. Read. Kayak. Create. Love. Adventure. And then, when assembly is allowed, do it all over again with partners. When your inner fire burns hot enough, no burden is too great, no challenge is too hard, no time is too tough.
The first step is to shut out the noise. The second step is to ask…
Who are you?