11 Jan It’s OK to have mixed feelings; in fact it’s probably the most normal way to be
As many others have also probably been doing at this time of year, I’ve been reflecting back on 2023 and thinking forward to 2024 and beyond. And to be perfectly honest with you, I’m both terrified and excited, optimistic and fearful, confident and confused.
At a global level, there are devastating wars and crucial elections that (without overstating the facts) could well determine the future of the world as we know. But if all goes well, that future could possibly be a better one!
Still on global matters, I have serious and ongoing concerns about the environment; but I’m also amazed by some of the progress being made in some areas to phase out and replace fossil fuel technologies and grow and develop more sustainable options.
Despite serious and significant problems continuing, we’re also seeing, if you look for the good news, more balanced and nuanced news, progress in human rights, gender equality and even signs the economy might move in ways that could benefit more people sooner rather than later.
Again, there’s no doubt there very serious challenges in all these areas, and more, but there’s also no doubt there are some very serious and real solutions available right now. Which is why it’s normal to feel happy and sad, to feel emotions both “good” and “bad”. Happiness can come from focusing on what’s going well and THERE IS MUCH that IS really going well.
Which I suppose is the point of this short posting. We need to focus and to stay focused on the very serious problems we and the world at large are facing because if we don’t stay focused on these issues they won’t get solved; or worse still, they’ll become worse. But we also need to search for and focus on all that’s going well, on the very real and inspiring solutions that exist and are coming into existence, because it’s from these we gain hope and optimism, key drivers of real happiness that in turn, drives more positive action.
So don’t dismiss or ignore any of your feelings; accept and appreciate them all for what they are. Use them for good and … more good will come!