The sun streams in through my study windows this morning . The sky is blue after weeks of being grey or white as the snow. Christmas celebrations are almost over. My mind goes to the year ahead.
In my younger days, the new year started in September. Graduate school and decades of teaching organized the cycle of life in our household. Armed with pristine notebooks, every year at least one member of our family headed off to school. Oh how I loved those notebooks - clean slates waiting to be filled!
It took a long time before my internal clock began to reset - rather like jet lag after a long trip across many time zones. For now at least, my internal rhythm feels in sync with the need to write 2011 instead of 2010, when a date is needed.
I think part of that shift within me has to do with the cultural realities in which I live. Major shifts in the political balance in this country emphasize that this is a new time. My sense is that this country teeters on the edge of fear and despair on one side and resilience and determination on the other side. Despite terrible personal losses for many due to the Great Recession, there is the glimmer that comes when the sun rises - and a person rolls over and says "huh, in spite of it all, I am still here" Still alive.
Whatever motivated voters in the voting booth in November, the result was a massive revolt. It would be easy to attribute the changes to movement toward the right or an embrace of Republican or Tea Party ideology. But perhaps when the legislative process resumes in January, people will sit back and say "huh, look what we did." What power we had at a time when we were feeling so powerless.
My hope is that this new sense of power will be used not to pursue of particular political agendas. Ideology does not put food on the table, provide for people's health, or give them meaningful work. With our new found power, what else can we do to get our lives and our country back on track?
On paper, it looks like a Republican country. But the reality is that Tea Party is not synonymous with Republican. Good luck, John Boehner with herding cats! Just as lack of unity in the Democratic party made for some interesting dynamics for Democratic leaders - including the President.
I love a good political discussion as much as anyone. However, my personal life is about relationships with friends, family and colleagues. Taking care of my health. Planning my garden for the spring. Having the financial resources to pursue a creative life. Concern for others who do not have what they need - here and around the world. It is not political ideas that feed my daily life. And I suspect the same is true of everyone.
Happy New Year means something special! It's pristine notebooks waiting to be filled!
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