“Annus Horribilis” is a Latin term that most recently entered our popular lexicon in 1993, when Queen Elizabeth II of England summarized her past year (1992), in which she had witnessed the marriage breakdowns of three of her children, as well as a devastating fire at Windsor Castle, as being her own personal “annus horribilis”. Literally translated the words mean what they look like: “horrible or terrible year”.
As many of you read this article you may well be reflecting back on 2020 as your own personal “annus horribilis”. To be sure many of us will not look back fondly at the last year. Clearly, top of our thoughts on what made this such a devastating year for many will be, the virus – Covid-19 that has rampaged around the world and devastated so many people, economies and psyches. It is almost as if this virus has become the overarching factor in just about everything we do in our daily lives and has dictated what many see as loss of freedoms and even sometimes, rights. Some have rebelled against the science of Covid-19 and this fractured, divisive, intensely political and partisan world we now inhabit, Covid non-believers have often set neighbor against neighbor. In many ways we have become defined by whether we follow one political leader and Covid-denialism or another political leader who embraces science. There is, it seems, no middle ground in this argument, which has led to bitter recriminations on both sides and even violence, in the extreme. To be sure, there are plenty of other happenings in 2020 that could allow the year to be viewed as an “annus horribilis”; racial injustice, hunger, depression, home-schooling, unemployment, natural disasters (climate change), the untimely deaths of many of our childhood heroes, either courtesy of Covid-19, or of some other cause. Yes, it’s truly has been a “bugger” of a year, in the common vernacular.
As many of you read this article you may well be reflecting back on 2020 as your own personal “annus horribilis”. To be sure many of us will not look back fondly at the last year. Clearly, top of our thoughts on what made this such a devastating year for many will be, the virus – Covid-19 that has rampaged around the world and devastated so many people, economies and psyches. It is almost as if this virus has become the overarching factor in just about everything we do in our daily lives and has dictated what many see as loss of freedoms and even sometimes, rights. Some have rebelled against the science of Covid-19 and this fractured, divisive, intensely political and partisan world we now inhabit, Covid non-believers have often set neighbor against neighbor. In many ways we have become defined by whether we follow one political leader and Covid-denialism or another political leader who embraces science. There is, it seems, no middle ground in this argument, which has led to bitter recriminations on both sides and even violence, in the extreme. To be sure, there are plenty of other happenings in 2020 that could allow the year to be viewed as an “annus horribilis”; racial injustice, hunger, depression, home-schooling, unemployment, natural disasters (climate change), the untimely deaths of many of our childhood heroes, either courtesy of Covid-19, or of some other cause. Yes, it’s truly has been a “bugger” of a year, in the common vernacular.
There is light at the end of the tunnel, however, and for that we should be extremely grateful. To paraphrase the words of one of the most divisive Covid-deniers of our lifetimes, “we have turned the corner on the virus”. Yes, with the first shipments of what will hopefully be the panacea to this terrible illness, the vaccines, we can begin to look to a return to something approaching normality by the end of 2021. To be sure, there are long, dark days still in front of us and the mask-wearing, social distancing, hand-washing, disinfecting days of 2020, will be with us for a long time yet but we can see the end and that is incredibly uplifting and a reason for joy.
It is common for all of us, from time to time, to throw all responsibility and blame for any trials and tribulations, in our personal lives, at those that we have elected to populate the halls of power – after all, it’s human nature to always try to blame someone else for our travails, right? Or is it? In difficult times like this, I always like to revisit the great leaders, philosophers and even “prophets” of history to see what they had to say about human nature, about pain, about difficulty and anxiety. It really doesn’t matter which great thinkers of humankind, you examine; Jesus, Muhammed, Gandhi, Buddha, Confucius, Lau Tzu, or even Pope Francis, two precepts become abundantly clear that they both preached and lived. 1) Love is the most powerful force in the Universe and 2) We, personally, are responsible for our own lives and our own actions. It all starts with us – not some high-elected official or even some mystical and unknown Higher Power. The power to shape our lives, as we would like to see them, is in our own hands.
It is common for all of us, from time to time, to throw all responsibility and blame for any trials and tribulations, in our personal lives, at those that we have elected to populate the halls of power – after all, it’s human nature to always try to blame someone else for our travails, right? Or is it? In difficult times like this, I always like to revisit the great leaders, philosophers and even “prophets” of history to see what they had to say about human nature, about pain, about difficulty and anxiety. It really doesn’t matter which great thinkers of humankind, you examine; Jesus, Muhammed, Gandhi, Buddha, Confucius, Lau Tzu, or even Pope Francis, two precepts become abundantly clear that they both preached and lived. 1) Love is the most powerful force in the Universe and 2) We, personally, are responsible for our own lives and our own actions. It all starts with us – not some high-elected official or even some mystical and unknown Higher Power. The power to shape our lives, as we would like to see them, is in our own hands.
- IT ALL STARTS WITH US AS THE INDIVIDUAL.
“When things are investigated, then true knowledge is achieved; when true knowledge is achieved, then the will becomes sincere; when the will is sincere, then the heart is set right; when the heart is set right, then the personal life is cultivated; when the personal life is cultivated, then the family life is regulated; when the family life is regulated, then the national life is orderly; and when the national life is orderly, then there is peace in this world.” – Confucius
His quote, in its simplicity, reminds us that all change in this world begins first and only in the hearts of each and every one of us. So, as we leave our “annus horribilis” behind and dispatch it to the dustbin of history where many of us will feel it belongs, start 2021, with a realistic outlook and attitude. This year is going to be hard also, make no mistake about that. If we approach it with the right heart and an attitude of gratitude for simply being alive and being a part of this incredible family of humanity, we can rise above the travails of our daily lives and have a positive, impactful effect on the people around us.
Don’t look for enormous change – remember this, you are one individual making his or her contribution. Change is cumulative and requires us all to work together for the greater good. Just make an effort every day to do something that will make someone else’s life a little better. Try talking to that friend you broke up with over the pandemic response, or over vying political affiliations. Find some common ground and reconcile with them. Here’s the thing – your righteous anger only hurts one person; YOU! Remember what Buddha said about anger:
“Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.” – Buddha
Don’t look for enormous change – remember this, you are one individual making his or her contribution. Change is cumulative and requires us all to work together for the greater good. Just make an effort every day to do something that will make someone else’s life a little better. Try talking to that friend you broke up with over the pandemic response, or over vying political affiliations. Find some common ground and reconcile with them. Here’s the thing – your righteous anger only hurts one person; YOU! Remember what Buddha said about anger:
“Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.” – Buddha
Smile at random strangers as you walk down the street – even with a mask on, people can see the smile in your eyes. You will make their day and you will also make your own. Check on your neighbors, make sure they’re okay and offer them any help they may need. Most of all, be grateful for the greatest gift of all – YOU and always, always, spread your love around. Love doesn’t exist in a vacuum – it is meant to be shared.
Since I’ve gone deeply philosophical in this month’s article, I want to end with another quote that never ceases to inspire me, as an individual. This quote has been cited many times by many great people but I believe the first person to actually express it was India’s great spiritual leader, freedom-fighter, and peace activist, Mahatma Gandhi:
“Be the change you wish to see in the world” – Mahatma Gandhi
So, till next month, be a beacon to the world and let the light of love, joy and peace, shine out on you and yours. Have an incredible 2021 and enjoy this special present we call life.
Since I’ve gone deeply philosophical in this month’s article, I want to end with another quote that never ceases to inspire me, as an individual. This quote has been cited many times by many great people but I believe the first person to actually express it was India’s great spiritual leader, freedom-fighter, and peace activist, Mahatma Gandhi:
“Be the change you wish to see in the world” – Mahatma Gandhi
So, till next month, be a beacon to the world and let the light of love, joy and peace, shine out on you and yours. Have an incredible 2021 and enjoy this special present we call life.
CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY!
EMBRACE THE OPPORTUNITIES LIFE PRESENTS TO YOU AND ALWAYS, ALWAYS FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!
HAVE A GREAT LIFE AND SPREAD THE LOVE!
CHANGING THE WORLD – ONE PERSON AT A TIME
EMBRACE THE OPPORTUNITIES LIFE PRESENTS TO YOU AND ALWAYS, ALWAYS FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!
HAVE A GREAT LIFE AND SPREAD THE LOVE!
CHANGING THE WORLD – ONE PERSON AT A TIME
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