Brave New Year

by Michele

                                                                 

I'm not gonna lie to you.  There have been other December thirty-firsts when it felt more natural to pop the cork and toss the confetti.  From the subprime mortgage crisis to the Bhutto assassination to the sleazy binge of popular culture, 2007 was not a banner year, and I'm feeling the anxiety heading into 2008.  But not every age can be gilded.  With hindsight, the 90s look excessive, like a wild party that we're still hung over from. (Though I admit -- I'm glad I went.)  If we're called upon to show a modicum of character, that's not such a bad thing, and maybe it's even overdue.

Here's what I'm raising my metaphorical glass to this New Year's Eve.

Counting blessings.  Family.  Friends.  Pets that give us joy.  Meaningful work.  Safe streets (or at least safer.)  Good food.  If we have these things, or to the extent we have them, we should count ourselves lucky, rather than fussing over what we don't have or envying others their good fortune.

Reading.  Television is on hiatus, and I don't really miss it.  The movies are all about men and violence (except Juno, which is so, so good.  Here's hoping that Hollywood won't squander Ellen Page.)  I'm bored with my computer.  It's a moment when books feel new and exciting again.  I've been eating up Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series.  And I just reread Dune for the first time in fifteen years and found it fresher than ever.  I guess visionary science fiction stays relevant because it never stops predicting the future, even as the future unfolds and morphs into something stranger than we expected.  What the hell was Frank Herbert doing in 1965 forecasting a Sunni jihad that would overtake the known universe?  But read it; he did! 

Living Healthy. I'll eat and drink tonight, but tomorrow it's time for moderation.  Here's to friends who've quit smoking, started or kept exercising and moderated diet and drinking in the past year.  For those of you who want to, we're with you!

Voting.  This is a big one, and I have to say, I'm actually optimistic.  Voters are taking this election very seriously.  The focus is on issues over hairstyles, on who can lead rather than who'd be fun to have dinner with.  We can't predict what's ahead, so get out there and vote.  Just pick somebody who can navigate tough times.

Giving.  Whether it's bringing a meal to a sick neighbor or giving money to a worthy cause, thinking of others feels right.  What feels right feels good.

And finally, of course, here's to The Lipstick Chronicles, to my blog sisters, to our backbloggers, and to our lurkers too.  Thanks for keeping it real in 2007.  I can't think of better people to hang out with in 2008.

Comments

[Susan]

I am also being rather reflective this week which gives me reason to not only fret, but also pray. While elections loom large, I worry most about the folks losing their homes, the folks in the Gulf who are still without homes, and the many, many broken people here and around the world who live daily in poverty and despair.

Faced with such overwhelming sadness, it would be easy to throw up my hands. Instead, my resolution in 2008 is to keep my prayers and daily focus centered on the small things within my range of influence: the people I love, the people to whom I minister, and the suffering I encounter in my own metaphorical backyard. I am also resolved to live my life in gratitude for the God who made me, the life he's given me, and the many blessings I've received.

When I took an introductory course on the Old Testament, my professor pointed out that the fall of Adam and Eve wasn't a matter of the couple reaching for something they couldn't or shouldn't have. Rather, God got angry because they weren't thankful for what they already had. I think that's a pretty good way of looking at life. If we can avoid greed and fear, or at least keep such emotions in check, we are freed to live lives of thankfulness and generosity. Having lived through yet another season of consumerism gone berzerk (otherwise known as Christmas), I think the Old Testament writers knew exactly what they were doing in fashioning a portrait of humanity's ultimate downfall.

Enough theology. Thanks to all who participate in this forum of ideas. It is such fun to read this blog and I am grateful this morning for all of you. Happy 2008!

[Nancy Martin]

Michele, you and Susan are both inspirations today. A toast to you both. I've been counting my blessings lately, too, and I find it's a good foundation for bringing on the new year. I'm ready!

[ramona]

My new year's resolution is to do the world a favor and expose Clive Owen as the anti-christ. Or should that be, anti-bond?

DUNE is a phenomenal book. Oddly enough, I read it one New Year's eve, when I was young and single, living in my first little apartment. My love life must have been pretty sad that year, because my brother had come over to help me celebrate! We had fun. Now I'd be thrilled to celebrate the new year with my brothers, who live far away.

BTW, where is Josh these days? I went to Trader Joe's yesterday and thought about him.

[Kerry, the Martial Tart]

Thanks, Michele and Susan, for helping to put life into perspective. Here's wishing everyone a happy, healthy, hope-filled 2008!

[Maryann Mercer]

For some reason, I'm optimistic about 2008, although the exact details escape me at the moment. Maybe it's the fact I'm already doing as Michele suggested and counting my blessings. There are so many in this world less fortunate than I am. I consider myself blessed with relatively good health, wonderful family and friends, and the chance to still make a difference in this world, even if only with a donation, volunteering my time, and getting myself and everyone I can think of to the polls.My one resolution this year is to remember all of the above. And get organized :o)
Thanks, Michele and Susan...good thoughts for the last day of the year.
Oh...and GO ILLINI! Happy New Year to us all!

[michele]

I am thankful for Ramona, who helps me keep my edge. Oppose Clive. Hhmph!

[michele]

On a more serious note, many thanks to Susan for that beautiful and thoughtful post, and to all of you for your thoughts this morning.

[Kathy Reschini Sweeney]

Amen! Great blog, Michele, and Susan, you are going to make one helluva minister (can you say it that way?).

In my own house, 2007 was a wonderful year, but in my circle of friends and family, not so much. It really brought home the concept of doubling your joy and dividing your sorrow - that's the thing about caring about people - you get both.

So - we end the year of 007 and move to a Great 8!

However you toast the new year - with pumpkin juice or champagne, raise one for all good gifts, including TLC.

[Joyce Tremel]

Thanks for the inspiration, ladies. I have a lot to be thankful for. I'm fortunate to have a great husband, two wonderful kids, a cozy home, an interesting job, and good friends.

I hope 2008 is a good year for everyone. Happy New Year!

[Elaine Viets]

Thanks for keeping this year nicely in perspective, Michele. Here's to a good 2008 for TLC blog sisters and our back bloggers,who keep me going with your insights.

[William Simon]

2007 was a terrific year; with that number, how could it not be? AND.... many indicators in the past few days have led me to the conclusion that 2008 is going to be even better!

Happy New Year to the Tarts, the Posters, the Lurkers, and the Whole Damn World...:)

[Harley]

Beautiful, everyone. Beautiful.

DUNE changed my life, back in my starving-student-far-from-home New York days. You're inspiring me to reread it.

My children are healthy and happy and in the midst of everything that's gone wrong in my life this year, the fact of these three small people makes the bad stuff pretty insignificant. But I honestly would not have made it through last summer without my blog sisters and my real sisters and my brothers too and many, many friends who answered the phone and the e-mails at all hours. Thank you, everyone.

And this is the first year since childhood I don't have "lose ten-or whatever-pounds" on my resolution list. The divorce diet rocks!

[Annette]

I'm with Ramona. Where in the heck is Josh? We miss you.
Looking back on this year I am grateful for my little family, siblings and extended family, a rewarding job and dear friends. I am so happy Elaine is back with us.
On this last day of 2007, I'm reading 1 Dead in Attic, After Katrina by Chris Rose. I can't put it down. It is a very touching, frustrating and funny book.
I'm wishing the new year brings more harmony and recovery to N.O. and the Gulf Coast area. And hopefully the '08 election will bring our country back together again.
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE.... AND GEAUX TIGERS .

[margaret]

Thanks for all the wit and wisdom and entertainment provided during '07. Looking forward to more in '08, whatever it brings. Happy New Year, everyone!

[ArkansasCyndi]

I have no words of wisdom. Michele and Susan have done a wonderful posting deep and intense thoughts (and I love the explanation Adam and Eve).

I also miss Josh. Someone check on him.

Thank you to Michele and Ramona for keeping the Clive war going.

Harley - Divorce diet always works but it's a hard hard diet. I did that one in 1982.

Thanks to the Tarts and other bloggers for never failing to bring a smile to my face. And thanks for letting me be on the "other side of the blog" a couple of times. Quite thrilling.

Thanks to Margie for all the educational columns this year. I look forward to more in 2008.

Happy New Year to all.

[Kiaduran]

2007 has been a year of severe suckatude, but TLC, the Tarts, Margie, and everyone one here have been a most splendid source of encouragement and I am thankful for all of you.

So, in your honor, let the pre-2008 happy dance begin.

*tappity tappity tap*

[ramona]

Due to popular demand, I just emailed Josh and told him to get his sorry behind over here and post something.

[michele]

Wow, many thanks to kiaduran for the great vocab word. Our thoughts go out to everyone everywhere who endured severe suckatude in '07. May '08 bring you peace and happiness.

[Josh]

I've been spending the morning at the office reading up on the Jamie Lynn Spears scandal-to-be. The kid named as the father apparently isn't, and it is "known" in Hollywood that the real father is a producer on her show, "old enough to be her grandfather." I would have asked Harley, since they all know each other out there, but I must have misplaced her phone number, somewhere.

[Lee Lofland]

Michele. I must say that I'm pleased to have met you in person this year. There aren't many of the good ones left in this world, but I'm certain you're one of them. I hope you and your family have a wonderful 2008. The same to the rest of the Lipstick Chronicle family.

[Me, Margie]

Hi! It's Me, Margie - can you believe this is our last blog of 2007? Holy shit, that went fast, huh?

So Happy Everything to Everyone and remember a coupla Margie's Rules for Partying:

1. Don't mix - pick one kinda booze and stick

2. No glove, no love

3. The goggles don't just come from beer - ask your sober friend what you're really lookin' at before you touch anything important.

4. Don't drink and drive. This is also known as the Don't be a Dumbass rule. Get a designated, get a limo, call a cab. It's amateur night, people - and the police are out there, God bless 'em.

5. Laugh - you gotta laugh, babe - cryin's okay too, but you gotta find the joy.

Come on, 2008!

[Annette]

He's back y'all. Josh is back, and with all the latest dirty gossip to boot. Nice to have you back.

[michele]

More people I'm raising a glass to --

Josh, for keeping me honest. I have to admit, my head snapped around and I went "wait, that kid's not the father??" I clearly need to work harder on weaning from the sleazy gossip addiction;

Lee Lofland, who's on the side of the angels himself. Thanks for the testimonial, Lee;

Harley and Elaine, who hung in through some tough times in '07 and gave the rest of us lessons in courage and grace;

Elvis Costello. He just gets better.

[Liz]

To all the Tarts, and bloggers and lurkers - thanks for giving me a smile every day. May you all have a wonderful 2008!

[mary alice at mystery lovers bookshop]

Thanks to all and every and my best wish for a happy and health filled year for all.

Love and Joy, mary alice