Back from the holidays, I am sipping lemon water which is meant to miraculously offset the damage done to the waistline after a week of binge eating and lying like a dead cabbage on coast of Dubai.
Year 2016 has been rather convoluted, full of surprises and stretched the entire spectrum of the rainbow in terms of its colourfulness. Stories began appearing midway through 2016 asking whether it was the worst year ever.
“Are we slowly entering Armageddon territory?” I reflect on my year and pose the question to the ‘Man of the House’ . You only have to ask the question to know the answer is a firm “No”. 2016 was not the worst year in British history. It wasn’t even the worst year in the last half century.
I do a quick google search to see of the rest of the planet had the similar thoughts and there were no surprises there, 2016 certainly experienced its share of significant world events.. According to the global peace index which conducted a survey, deepening conflict in the Middle East and north Africa, the refugee crisis and increased terrorism mean the world is less peaceful now than last year – and has been getting less peaceful for the last decade.
‘I could have told you that without the scientific calculations’ He mumbles while chomping on a stack of homemade ‘aloo parathas‘. We have seen ongoing global terror, war and famine amongst its worst times in 2016, then not forgetting the zika virus, Brexit and then Donald Trump being given the important chair in the world. We lost many loved icons such as David Bowie, Leonard Cohen and Prince.
However, it was not all doom and black for 2016, we did see a few things that made us smile and think life is not over just yet.
Who remembers the ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’? Thanks to the ice bucket challenge , and the charity it was running for found the gene responsible for ALS, meaning we are closer to an effective treatment. Let me rephrase that: we are close to getting a treatment for a very bad disease because a lot of people (including really hot celebrities) got wet.
New chemotherapy breakthroughs have increased the 5-year survival for pancreatic cancer from 16% to 27% (and is getting better). And this one really bought a smile to my blue face- Child mortality is down everywhere in the world and it keeps going down. So if that doesn’t make up for the cursed 2016, nothing will.
Dear 2017,
As you creep closer and bring new beginnings, fresh starts, reaffirmations of love and promises for a brighter future, there are the superficial, yet purposeful, promises we make to ourselves. We resolve to get in shape, lose weight, improve career paths, and the like. Then, there are the heartfelt promises we make to others, whether aloud or in our minds. We want to care more, express love more, reverse bad feelings in old relationships or seek out new loving relationships.
We try our very best to put these desires into words. Though New Years can be a time of celebration and cheer, there are many people who are facing difficult circumstances. They may be entering this time of year with apprehension or anxiety. If that’s the case for anyone in your circle of friends or family, you can reach out and be an encouragement by wishing them the best for the upcoming year. If your loved ones are experiencing favorable circumstances, you can wish them continued success.
Whether you live nearby or far away, you can send heartfelt wishes for happiness, health, and prosperity to those who mean the most to you at this special time of year.
Mrs Oddbones