BE THANKFUL

HAPPY NEW YEAR FOLKS. 
BE THANKFUL IN THE FACE OF ODDS  AGAINST YOU. 
Harry Bissoon

As the year 2023 comes to an end, and 2024 looms before us, let us not be unrealistic and drown ourselves in fanciful illusions of an unseen utopia. The challenges we face today, in a world of tribulations, deception, greed, confusion, uncertainty, unseen microscopic killers, wars, and man's remarkable ability to say and do things that are unreal and untruthful, are endemic and ever present. While aspirations and dreams are of importance in our personal journey towards achieving our goals, they must be tempered with a good dose of realism.

Nevertheless, and in spite of these disturbing and opposing forces, it is common for most of us to make resolutions, and periodically resolve to commit ourselves to become better individuals, especially at the beginning of a new year. As we welcome 2024, let us become steadfast in doing the things that will lift us to greater heights, to strengthen our good attributes and endeavors, and to minimize negativity. Let us build our positive relationships with others, as you would have them do with you.  Be always positive, persistent and progressive, and aim for advancement in mind, spirit, and material achievements. Never give up! 

Be like the Beast in the famed novel by Gabrielle Susanne Barbot, ‘Beauty and The Beast’, in which he asked Beauty, (with whom he was in love), every evening at dinner, for over eight months, "Will you marry me?" She said, "No", every evening, but in the end, after over 250 'Will you marry me', she said, "Yes", upon which the Beast became himself, a dashing and debonair man of nobility - what he was before - and she was transformed, from a poor villager, to a lady of  exquisite beauty -  a petite and beautiful Princess. 

The task is daunting, but whatever is achieved, we must be thankful for little mercies. We are always searching, and continuously seeking solutions to problems, in an endless effort to find the value and meaning of life. We are like mathematicians who create elaborate and complex equations to find the value of 'X', hidden in the complexities of the equation that they themselves have created.But even if we can't find the value of 'X', we must still be thankful for the little mercies!

This New Year's eve, or, on New Year's day, as we sit around the table to give thanks for life, family, friends, and food, (which, anyway, should be done, if not everyday, at least once a week), let us remember that many would not be able to replicate the pomp and festivities that we have on this holiday, because of a lack of means and wherewithal, and prevailing circumstances. So, celebrate the end of 2023, if you could, and welcome 2024, being thankful for the little mercies!

As we enjoy the festivities, food and wine, let us reflect and ponder on events around us, and in the world. Let us, even for a moment, examine the plight of the destitute, and those who are still trapped in slavery, precipitated by natural causes, or, by design. Let us be mindful of those who suffer because of wars, caught  in a game of thrones by those who sit on pedestals, directing our lives, and even telling us what we should say, and what we should not!

Nonetheless, be happy for little mercies, and aspire to make things better!

May you have a happy and  prosperous New Year.

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