Here is my wish for you, for all of us, as we get ready to release the old and ring in the new.
Would you say its been a roller coaster year?
It’s hard to process all the political dramas, climate challenges with hurricanes and fires, terrorist attacks, sexual harassment allegations, along with the usual concerns with traffic congestion, higher food prices, new tax possibilities, and whatever else you choose to add to the list.
I would like to tell you a quick story about Pandora and the box she was told not to open. It will be less than a minute.
In ancient Greek mythology this story was used to discuss the weaknesses of humans and the misfortunes that occur in our species.
Pandora in Greek means “the one who bears all gifts.”
Now, just like any curious person, Pandora was told the box contained special gifts. Yet, she was directed NOT to open the box. Talk about a dilemma. What would you do?
She, like most of us, finally opened the box. And in “a New York minute,” all the evils of the world were released. She did what I think most of us would do.
She was scared and closed the box as fast as she could
Then she heard a voice in the box pleading to be let out. Finally, not sure what to do, she did open the box.
And what flew out was HOPE.
There are many versions of this myth. This is the one I choose to hold close to my heart. When all looks bleak and almost impossible, hope is often all we have. It’s the feeling that something desired can be had or will happen.
It’s the ability to vision a better way.
It’s about those who gave hope to people who lost everything in the hurricanes and fires. It’s the ability to reach out and help someone…. just because.
Let’s start to vision 2018 as a year of hope and taking that hope and acting upon it, each and everyone of us. To build bridges, smile at a stranger, share the bounty, take the words of newly elected Alabama Senator, Doug Jones when he quoted Dr. Marin Luther King “the moral arc of the universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”
Herb and I would like to share the words of our mascot, Willy the Wombat, giving us hope and helping us see clearly how we are all connected.
Enjoy and let’s vision a fantastic New Year. Best, Sylvia
