It's that time of year once again when I reflect back upon what I've accomplished, what I've fallen short on, and who I am compared to who I was at the beginning of the year.

It does seem this past year has swept past much swifter than any of my previous years, but perhaps it always seems that way. Sometimes I wonder if whoever is in charge of time, wherever they may be located, is messing with me and laughing about my wondering.

There are so many things that I thought I would accomplish by now. Those things I say, "Tomorrow.. tomorrow I will begin; I will do it tomorrow." What's odd is that I always wake up today. I never wake up and say, "It's tomorrow."

Now I sometimes wonder if it's too late, or I ask myself, "What am I waiting for?" Am I running out of time?

This past year has been very challenging for me, but hasn't every other year also? Nothing has ever come easy for me, but has it for anyone?

Maybe it's that time of year when it's easier to feel sorry for myself, and self-pity is not a good place for me to be; it is my enemy.

Throughout this past year I have had a heart attack, lost my job, been evicted, lost my home, been homeless, and was swindled on a vehicle I saved for in a special savings program for over a year.

But, in the past month the VA has put me through every test they have, and I am as healthy as one could hope to be at my age... Physically, that is. Mentally..? Well, how does one actually measure the mind? I will believe I am no more discombobulated than the next person.

But, even though I may not be able to currently complete the courier contracts I signed up for and planned for to be my income, it’s not the end of my existence. There are other options, like scrapping, the very beautiful on the outside, Lincoln Navigator and renting a vehicle on the Turo platform three days at a time until I save enough for another vehicle. Who knows, if this vehicle would not have been junk under the hood, I may have fallen asleep one day on a delivery and rolled over and over down an embankment to my demise.

But, even though the eviction and spending three months homeless in the elements was unpleasant, degrading and humiliating, I have a better place to call home now with a landlord that I am actually able to communicate with, and the bus stops right out in front of the house. Oh, and my 98-year-old grandma is only a 17 minute walk across the college campus across the street. Her eyes light up every time I step through the door. Yeah, I’m still Scooter Pie to her and she really loves me.

There have been many blessings throughout this past year, and I have had the opportunity to bless a few myself. So, as I reflect, the past year hasn’t really been that bad at all. It could have been much worse as I’ve been in much worse conditions and situations before. I know there are many who have it much worse than I.

I do wish the entire planet loved each other and there were no wars, no pain, and no suffering. I believe in all borders being open and respect for everyone. I believe there are far more good folks than bad ones in the world. We are all souls having a human experience who deep down just want to be loved and needed by someone.

As I begin the new year, I will do my best to be a better man and continue to practice kindness, even to those who are not kind to me, because anyone can be kind to those who are kind; that’s easy, but real changes can occur when we are able to be kind to the unkind. It may just rub off.

I am grateful I have this platform to let this out of my mind. I am grateful I am ending this year with a mind of gratitude, rather than that of bitterness. I hope I never forget to remember to be grateful for what I do have and not be bitter about what I don’t have.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to read this and listen. It does mean so much to me. May you all have a wonderful holiday season, and may all of you accomplish your goals, live your dreams, and continue to get back up when you fall. And remember, if we aren’t failing, we aren’t trying.

Much love to all as we realize today is the first day of the rest of our lives... #2023 #gratitude #blessing #newbeginning

                                   IF YOU HAD A GUARANTEE 
                           that you could get any job in the world, 
                                      what job would you pick? 
                                   Why would you pick that job? 
                               
                              #Dreamjob  #Believable  #Possible 
                                   #Freedom  #Time  #Blessing

Have you ever volunteered somewhere? A homeless shelter, Humane Society, soup kitchen or maybe a food pantry? These are places that can always use help, even more so around the holidays. But really, one could offer to volunteer just about anywhere. What about a company you’d like to work at? Just because you haven’t been able to get a position that pays with them, it doesn’t mean you can’t step through their doors and ask if you can volunteer part time, no charge. It may seem a little odd, but you never know; it could be your foot in the door to a position that pays down the road…. #volunteer, #give, #blessing, #Help

https://alis.alberta.ca/look-for-work/work-options/11-ways-volunteering-can-help-you-find-a-job/

Lasted longer they were good people to work for. I worked seven years for them. Worked till I had heart attack and pacemaker implanted then I was released.