FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 - THE LAST DAY OF 2021

 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 - THE LAST DAY OF THE YEAR

This week I’ve been reflecting on 2021.  Monday I wrote about COVID - and how it has lingered.  Tuesday was thoughts on how Hatred is flourishing.  Wednesday was more on my transition from male to female.  Yesterday I was taking stock in myself and I will finish that today.

I have a philosophy that I need to be physically active, keep challenging my brain, grow spiritually, have friends, be social, eat well, get sufficient sleep, meditate and reflect, and LOVE OTHERS since LOVE WINS!!  

*****

PHYSICAL

Not as good of a year as 2020.  Last year in the “Map my Walk” app, I was in the top 1% of all the users of that application.  This year, I’m in the top 4%.  Last year there was little going on.  With my friend AP, we walked four to six miles several times a week (and always had plenty to talk about).  This year, with my evenings busier, I am not walking as much.  (And, I have added pounds around my middle - ouch!!!)

Yes, Granny Basketball has been good for me physically and socially.  But there are times that I sit in my favorite recliner for six (eight?) hours a day.  My apartment has an exercise room that I used to use, but I haven’t been there for months.  

I have routes in my neighborhood to get a mile, two miles, three miles, and five-mile walks.  I can put on my headphones and listen to an audiobook or music - but inertia keeps me in that recliner.  

With my physical thoughts comes a parallel of nutrition.  Last spring I looked (in my blogs) about vegetables - and yet as I write today, I don’t eat enough vegetables.  (About the only good point is my Swiss Chard on my patio is going “great guns”.  Snip a few leaves, add some other things and I have a great salad for lunch.  

With my work this fall, I have been able to eat for $2 a meal and my facility has excellent meals (and desserts).  That has worked against me too.  I like food!! 

(I’ve also found that my diet has not had enough fiber, so my mainstay breakfast is oatmeal with raisins, ground clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, and maybe other spices.)

And, something I’ve known for years - I love butter.  Bread (and related) are only delivery methods for butter.  And, as part of my heritage, ice cream at bedtime.  (Yup, I know, I’ve read, not a good nutritious thing to do!!!)

So, one of my New Year’sResolutions is to lose weight, walk and exercise more, and eat more veggies and cut down on bread and sweets.

*****

FINANCES:

While not directly one of my main philosophy points, but a necessary part of life.

My retirement income got divided when my wife and I divorced.  I moved (was moved) to an apartment.  I have fretted about money most of my life.  

Last winter/spring I substitute taught at the local school district.  Not a good choice and I was asked to leave and not come back (not quite “fired” but almost).  That was savings that went for my surgery and recovery expenses.

In the summer, I brooded and (without all the other things that go on), decided I needed a job to keep me occupied.  So, I took a part-time job at a local senior/retirement independent living facility.  This is an upscale facility.  The meals are superb (another reason I have added weight).  My clients are in their 90s (except for one).  I have been reminded of a French play (that I have not seen or even read) “Waiting for Godot”, where seemingly the characters are on the side of a road waiting for God to take them.  

Before she died, my mother told me she was praying for “God to take her” (aka - to die).  I’ve heard that wish from several of the people I visit.  

I don’t have a television (and I should have been walking more), and there is only so much you can do in a small apartment.  My rent was up about $40 a month, my cable bill was up about $30 a month.  

But, in between, I was meditating on “God will provide for you”.  Was I trusting him to take care of me?  So, I am working three evenings a week - about 3:30 to 8:30  Just about right.  And, I have used the money wisely (at least in my human view).  I have supported groups, organizations, and people (like I should have been).  I feel that I am blessing these seniors, and contributing to society.  (It seems like there are oodles of jobs in a similar vein that are going unfilled).  

I love this job, and I hate this job.  At 74, I like my freedom, but at 74 it seems wise to help others.  

I have helped a friend with some major financial hurdles.  

*****

MENTAL ACTIVITY

I can’t leave these personal reflections without a comment on writing a daily blog.  I have found that this is a “labor of love”.  I hope thousands of people would read it (and on the other hand, I’m not sure it makes any difference who reads it -I “need”/”must” get my ideas out of my head).  I have no idea if my daily blog is relevant or not.  (Can you give me a quick ‘yea/nay”).  I think it is hard to give feedback.  

I also think my writing has gotten more personal - is that good or not?  

I am not (quite) a philosopher.  (But, I think I could be one!!!)

*****

ENOUGH FOR THE LAST DAY OF 2021

Tomorrow will be a New Year’s theme, and then on to New Year’s Resolutions and what knows what my mind will tackle next.  I’m guessing some old themes will reoccur (and, yes, I like the idea of having Friday as “Love Wins” day; Saturday will have a story; and Sunday will be a Funday (shhh - Sunday Funday is frequently a rehash of my Thursday Bridge Brat Bulletin blog!!!).

*****

LOVE WON in 2021 and LOVE WILL CONTINUE TO WIN IN 2022!!!

Karen

December 31, 2021