The Latest Level

On New Years Day, I shared an elevator with two strangers, an elder gentleman, and a younger gentleman. As the doors closed and we began our one floor rise to the grocery store, the elder gentleman said, "Happy New Year, I hope it's been a good one for you." to both of us. I smiled, wished him the same and confirmed that it had been so far. The other man shifted somewhat uncomfortably and said nothing, eyes front. The elder man then said, "I think there are good things to come this year." I agreed, adding that I felt that as well. At the same time I noticed that the other passenger felt the opposite, apparently. The doors opened and he all but fled the small compartment. By the sheer contrast of the two standings, that ten second scenario seemed to encapsulate the vibe of this dawning year. A time of new beginning and hope, with a dash of squeamish uncertainty. As this isn't a new theme, New Years have been happening for a while now, what evidence do we have that this will be a good year more than not? What has yet to set it apart?

There are some awesome strides being made in the positive column. Spirituality is more prevalent, it seems. More people going to church again/more/anew, more people meditating, or at the very least, questing for deeper solutions to prevailing questions. Science is uncovering and discovering things that are very encouraging, things that we've all suspected for a while in connecting the spiritual and the factual. Families starting and/or expanding, more babies coming in, bringing new life and a fuller scope with it. Professional milestones, companies giving back, trying to better the environment, some folks striking out on their own branching into a version of their dream rather than being a cog in another's. Empowerment, not subservience. The world finding unexplainable yet harmonious examples of an evolution as a planet. A stronger bond among us all, in that we know more now that we are all one. That we affect each other. It's inspiring to see these unfolding, I know they will all be for the better.

Then there's the other sobering hand, slapping at the other with detracting word. The FDA's puzzling regulation turns (like, lowering standards of acceptable food processing will benefit us all HOW exactly?), a polarized view of certain marriage laws taking effect, confusion on mandated health care and all it entails. More baffling weather/climate turns, more species dying off and fewer avenues to escape the claustrophobic realization of how big a role man plays in it all. A still stagnating economic scene, one that forces us to ignore the more pertinent issues.

Both the light and dark are ongoing, a part of the human condition in all it's duplicity and complexity and it's all pretty much same shit different day, kind of thing. A ceremonial countdown to a different numeric moniker doesn't really change either, but how we're filtering it all just might.

My awareness and connectedness to my fellow man, is the main shift for this, 2014. I think if our perspectives continue to shift enough, it will warrant some really uplifting, awe eliciting happenings, and we'll be on the right track. No offense to that squeamish dude, maybe he just doesn't like elevators. Maybe we posed stranger danger. Maybe he's just working on that perspective shift, and our reassurance was a slide in a more positive view, but he had to rush back to a party, or something. I hope the latter.
  
Usually at this time-I waited a few weeks to see how the vibe is playing out this go around-I am knee deep in a new manifesto. I've vowed to be un-afraid, to be open, to be the real me, to continue being strong, to enjoy the journey, and to let it all happen, in years past. All of those have served me well, and that's why I gave the response I did, to that kind stranger in the elevator. I do believe all this is culminating in a good direction, and I do my best to aid in that. Every day, not just once a year.

It's 2014, for Pete's sake. This was a time envisioned of flying, spaceship like modes of daily transport, meals in pill form. We are supposed to be having holographic phone calls about important futuristic things. Although we are fourteen years deeper into the millennial era and still not a regular episode of The Jetsons, perhaps we have it wrong. Perhaps it wouldn't help out the struggles we face, to have more revolutionary and reliable technological tools to aid in our various human plights. We use smart phones, we drive hybrid cars, we use NASA informed products in the kitchen and household places, and yet we're the opposite of progress they offer, quite often. Much more tech than we've ever been, yet we clobber around with these tools, almost using them to detach from our humanity, not enhance it's existence. I would love a jet pack and a programmably efficient robo-nanny to fill my shoes as much as the next chick, but perhaps we've yet to reach that horizon due to our obsession with what that horizon holds. Through  all the aforementioned positives that are happening, maybe we'll get there sooner than we think, but maybe we're better off right where we are, re-learning the basics. The two shall meet at the perfect time, not before.

That can be said for all the goals, all the hopes, dreams, aspirations and silver linings. We know they're there, and instead of anguishing over them, we ought to just take it a day at a time, and truly accept where we are in the process. Enjoy it, as much as possible. Before we know it, 2015 will be creeping up, and we'll have a chance to start the whole shebang again. Better, updated versions of ourselves, not just updated inanimate objects. Closer, if not far beyond those pipe dreams and onto another. That's my resolution this year. To keep shifting to allow the greatness to flow.

Who knows...maybe we can all share a lift and a message of hope with someone that needs it in the following months. At least we'll be that much further off the ground.