It is almost the end of the year, and the beginning of another one.
What a tumultulous year it has been, full of uncertainty, full of upheaval, full of despair, human tragedy and separation.
Every day, pretty much since January, has been full of news of spiking numbers of infections, hospitalisations, deaths. The Summer appeared to be a few period of calm, but those with some foresight and understanding of historical events, could foresee that that was just a temporary respite before more deaths, more infections, more stringent measures.
2020 will forever be marked by lockdowns, or half measures to try to stem the spread of the (Wuhan) Coronavirus. And then, just a few weeks after the first vaccines were approved for use and being distributed, more potent variants of the virus were discovered in the UK, South Africa and elsewhere. Hope promising, and reassuring to know that this is not even the "big one".
What are we facing as human beings?
What are we to do as humanity?
At the end of this year, I feel this unbelievable sadness, even more so than usual at what is usually a festive time of celebration and renewal. A sadness brought on by frustration, anger, helplessness as the world burns and burns with no end in sight... Frustration, anger, helplessness compounded by the fact that governments are saying one thing, yet politicians and elected officials are doing another... Frustration, anger, helplessness seeing small businesses and livelihoods destroyed, as Wall Street, large corporations ask for handouts or are experiencing never before seen profits.
This is no way to live. This is in no way sustainable. Surely, the system is so broken, has been broken, and cannot last for much longer.
May the new year be filled with more hope.
May the new year be filled with more love.
May the new year be filled with more kindness and compassion.
May the new year be filled with more lightness.
May the new year be filled with more equity and justice.
May the world and all its peoples be blessed with good health and safety...
