I enjoy being reflective this time of year. I think that’s connected with why I like to make New Year’s resolutions. It’s a time to think over the past year and attempt some tweaking of the way I’ve bee engaging life. I’m feeling pleased regarding the resolutions I made for the present year. I don’t mean that boastfully, and I can’t say I either fulfilled my resolutions completely or kept them with steadfast dedication. I have a long way to go. But, I did make progress on the things I resolved to do and maintained the effort all year. Good enough. I must admit though, I went for improvement rather than specific, quantifiable goals, even though that was against advice given in the media. To each his own.
So, for this New Years, I intend to keep working on last year’s resolves, strengthened by a sense that progress is doable and the results rewarding. But, my reflections over the past year won’t let me keep it at that. I suspect there are many of us who feel concern reflecting over the past months. I’m not going to go into great detail in this regard either, in case you were worried. I engage in too much of that kind of reflection every day I read the news and learn about the latest atrocity or inexplicable blunder on the world scene, especially when our own country is partially or heavily culpable.
What kind of New Year’s resolution regarding national and world events would be called for in the case of an average citizens such as myself? Get out and vote? I did. I suspect there are a range of answers, and I’m hoping those reading this blog will give thought to sharing their ideas on the matter. I can try reading and watching less news, but that only provides me a little insulation and does nothing to address the issues. So, here’s my thought. It was inspired by things I’ve read recently concerning the term “liberal”. I’ve always been comfortable owning something of a liberal identity—I went to Berkeley, how could I not? But, I never embraced change simply for the sake of difference. I have always felt it worthwhile to maintain those parts of our past that have value. I suppose that makes me a little conservative as well. The problem is, these terms have both become political slurs. So, liberalism and conservatism aside, I intend to reflect on my core values and give myself a refresher course in their use in my daily life. Really. It’s easy to take one’s core values for granted. It can be self-enlightening to examine how they play out in daily behavior. I can recall philosophy classes in which this was an intentional, thought-provoking challenge.
On an entirely different matter, my mystery writing is not intended as a New Year’s reflection/resolution exercise. It’s supposed to be entertaining, and I’m still feeling excited to have my latest Bobby Navarro mystery, Murder in Key Largo, available through Amazon and Kindle. Here is a link for anyone who would like to take a peek at his latest adventure: https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Key-Largo-Navarro-Mystery-ebook/dp/B07L4Q5J15/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1546211608&sr=8-2&keywords=Murder+in+Key+Largo
I resolve to remain positive and that may be the most difficult resolution to keep.