Tuesday

Enough introspection and feeling down. At least for the time being. On Tuesday Obama will be taking over the reins and one of the first things he will be doing is closing Guantanamo. Yea, Barack!!! I watched the election results with my son, and like so many Americans, I was in tears of disbelief and joy. In the past couple of months, I have become more accustomed to the idea that he really is going to be our next President so the disbelief has subsided. The joy faded into the background for a while as the country sank even deeper into trouble, but I feel it re-surging and am so looking forward to seeing him sworn in. I come from a country that is mired in pomp and circumstance, so frills and parades leave me mostly unmoved , but this time I am going to bathe in as many scenes as I can. I am shrugging aside the occasional fear and doubt, the vague sense that we are in too much of a hole in so many areas that we cannot climb out in a reasonable length of time. Obama is surrounding himself with highly intelligent, knowledgeable, and experienced people, who appear to have feelings of warmth toward their fellow human beings on this planet. He is young, brilliant, confident, and empathic. And he knows enough to know what he doesn't know. I am not going to be cheated of my optimism by some all-too-familar skepticism. I am going to enjoy and celebrate and nurture my hopes and beliefs. I believe in him.

2009

A new year, a new attitude, a new belief system - not much to ask for! But I'm working on it.

In my favorite magazine, The Sun, I came across this beautiful quote from a Buddhist monk: "If it shouldn't be this way, it wouldn't be this way." How wonderful, what a great way to encapsulate acceptance. Like so many of us, I often think that what we are sent in this life has meaning and lessons for us. I certainly grew from taking care of my son when he was hospitalized so frequently as a baby and young child. Now I think it is time to revisit that state in which I was able to accept what was sent and exist peacefully within it. I can already sense a trace of calm that was elusive before. Whether it will last, I don't know, but it is a welcome relief. Giving up the struggle and the discomfort will be a blessing, if I can achieve it. Just sitting in it, rather than striving for something different.

I never was one for New Year's resolutions, but maybe now is the time...