Happy New Year!

2023? Let's do this!

Happy New Year!

It's hard to believe that we've come to the end of another year, but time is an unrelenting force that marches on despite our best efforts to slow its pace or deny its power.

Image created by Gareth Johnson, using variations of an original photograph by Erwin Olaf

I live in a country where we follow the Gregorian calendar. The 1st of January represents a fresh start - a tradition dating back to pre-Christian Rome when the 1st of January was dedicated to Janus, god of gateways and beginnings.

The end of one year and the beginning of the next may be an arbitrary unit of measurement, but time matters, words have power, Janus has two faces - he looks both to the past and the future.

How will we remember 2022? Let's be honest, it wasn't great.

The last few years seem to have been an unrelenting shit-show. Just when things seem to be starting to get better, there's another twist of the knife reminding us that making plans for the future is a bit of a futile exercise.

Will 2023 be a step forward? Who knows? It's a step somewhere, hopefully somewhere better.

Wishing everyone Happy New Year and boldly proclaiming that 2023 holds the prospect of us being 'happy' seems wildly optimistic. I guess we've just got to hang in there and see how the months ahead unfold.

Image created by Gareth Johnson, using variations of an original photograph by Erwin Olaf

Ultimately, everyday that passes is a reminder that what really matters are the people in your life - your friends, your family, your lovers. Spending time with the people you love and enjoying those moments is ultimately the only thing that makes sense in this crazy, mixed-up world that we live in.

Will things get better in 2023? We can only hope. There's bound to be some good stuff, but equally there's bound to be some stuff that's about as much fun as a kick in the balls.

Time marches on, and so must we. Resilient, cheerful in the face of adversity, let's make the most of what lies ahead.

2023? Bring it.

Photo Credit: Joy by Erwin Olaf

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