I imagine that most people breathed a sigh of relief when 2021 began because it is a new year and many hope that this somehow cosmically signals a grand change to something better in the year ahead. You use to see the drawing of the old man and the new baby where the old man represented the previous year and the baby was the new year, a bundle of possibilities and revitalization replacing the aged man bearing the battle scars of the previous year. It’s a new calendar, a new year planner, the hopefully sprint towards spring, the season of rebirth.
The problem with thinking it will magically all be better because we won’t be writing “2020” on our checks is that we may be going into a new year but the people going into the new year as the same ones we had in the previous year. We didn’t suddenly drop our issues from our shoulders when the clock struck midnight and 2021 began. Those dealing with job loss or health issues weren’t suddenly employed and healed. The political chaos with ensuing violence is still present and will probably escalate a bit when the presidency changes hands. The civil unrest when Black Lives Matter was making headlines is still there, people are still dealing with racism every day. The Coronavirus is still making its presence known around the globe, infecting every aspect of our lives in some form or fashion.
I do not want to come across as all “doom and gloom” but merely observing that if we want 2021 to be a better year for us all, we need to look at our hearts. Each and every one of us. Are we being the best version of ourselves towards others? Do we offer kindness and compassion to our fellow human beings? Life can be hard enough at times; it takes very little effort to offer patience, kindness, and a little bit of our time to uplift someone else.
Have you heard the phrase “hurting people hurt people” or “you reap what you sow”? There are so many phrases out there about the relationship between cause and effect. My challenge to you – and for myself – is to be intentional about our actions and how they effects another. From our physical actions to our words, are we giving each other grace, compassion, and kindness? It doesn’t matter where you stand on social interaction with the current pandemic. There is always something you can do for someone else and sometimes all it requires is a little bit of our time.
Hold the door for someone. Write a letter or drop a card in the mail for a shut-in. Pick up and call that friend who has been rather quiet lately. Have a hobby? Use it to bless a stranger. Donate your time or your finances to help others in your community. Really listen to your children tell you a story or about their day even though they are rambling. Drop off a meal for a family dealing with financial hardship. Shovel the snow from an elderly neighbor’s driveway (okay, in Texas, this might not be too relevant). Have a plethora of produce in your garden? Share it with someone else!
I know I have mentioned before that we love to bake cookies and decorate them. We made up a batch this weekend, tucked a dozen cookies into little goody bags with a Ghirardelli chocolate (because, chocolate!) and I let the children hand them out to whomever they wished at church. The kids loved giving something to someone else and at least one recipient told me they were very touched by the unexpected gift.
If each person would be intentional with acts of kindness towards others, I guarantee we would all have a better year regardless of the world’s state of things. If we reap kindness, maybe we’ll all sow it back tenfold this year. Be a blessing to others and I hope that 2021 is kind to you and yours.
Stay green, my fellow Texans!
Going Green In Texas 