Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

“May I live this day 

Compassionate of heart,

Clear in word,

Gracious in awareness,

Courageous in thought,

Generous in love.”

~ John O’Donohue

 

 

Here it is, a sparkling fresh New Year, Dear Reader. I have a feeling quite a few of us were glad to kick 2024 to the curb with Army boots on! 

Looking back, it was one of “those” years, but I’ve got to look at the lessons given along the way. Thanks, Helene. Thanks for reminding us all that community comes together when the going gets tough. Thanks for forcing me to clean and toss out so much – clothing, food, art supplies, paintings – and deal. It was exhausting but a metaphor for life. 

Lesson: have less, and quit saving leftovers in the freezer! Don’t keep what you probably will never use, whether it’s clothing you can’t stuff yourself into anymore, food you’re pack-ratting, or things you really don’t need. It’s OK to let it go, whatever it is. Give it away, toss it, sell it, just deal with it and be free. 

There are exceptions to that rule…piles of books tend to crop up again! Or plants. Or lipsticks in different shades…we all have that thing we just love having around, right? I’d say keep only what you love and what serves you. Otherwise, it goes forth to make others happy or out to the curb. 

As ever, my list of New Year resolutions is rather bare—although I’m resolute on just being a Good Human (that covers a lot of ground). Do better health-wise, keep reading, just keep being grounded in what matters. It’s pretty simple—although I’m tempted to stick “go to Italy—HURRY UP!!” and “Wear a size 8 before you kick the bucket!” or “Win lottery (then you go to Italy and buy that Tuscan villa!)” 

Those seem less important than just being a Good Human; I realize this as I consider the life of President Jimmy Carter, who earned his angel wings this past week. Being of the age when I remember his brother Billy and Billy Beer, peanuts, little Amy in glasses, and muscle cars lined up at the pump, I also remember I was too young to vote at that time but signed up as soon as I hit voting age. It was a time of upheaval in the world, just as upheaval and chaos is now. 

Things change, but Jimmy Carter had a depth of character and a moral compass that guided him all his life, a century. He truly walked the walk with Rosalynn, even in his old age when he could have been riding in limos, schmoozing it up with the bazillionaires of the world, and charging exorbitant fees for speeches. The man was pounding nails and sawing wood for Habitat houses for poor folks instead. Or teaching Sunday school, working globally toward world peace, and doing something for humanity instead of greasing his own pockets. 

Now, that’s what I call being a Good Human: someone who is selfless, who remains humble and kind all through life, and loves his fellow man. Someone who speaks the truth, who is nothing but honest as the Georgia fields and small town he came from. Let us all have that resolution: to be Good Humans in the new year ahead. 

Happy January Birthday to Brandy Bradley, Carolyn Ashburn, Donna Bond, Greer Eargle, Wyatt Alan Pace, Irma Anderson, Paul Aaybe, Phyllis Arrington, Kenneth Justus, Cheryl Harbin, Avery Lena Mintz, Connie Scicluna, Ann Dudley, Charles Conner, Kristin Mode, Susan Parke, Rodney Gibson, Caroline Thompson, Lisa Reece, Susan Bigley, Frank McNutt, and Joel Kirby. Add your birthday to the list—no ages mentioned unless you’re under two or over 100! 

Feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com, (828) 817-6765, P.O. Box 331, Saluda, NC 28773, Facebook, or visit bonniebardos.com