Resolutions for 2010

As we entered a new year, a new decade, we celebrated for a short time on New Year’s Eve making resolutions and wishing that 2010 would be a much better year than the one we just left behind. And yet, when we finally woke up hours later we had to realize that all was not going to be suddenly better and many problems were lurking. In the United States, for many it was the fear again of terrorism after the failed attempt of Christmas Day; many more were worrying about unemployment and their finances; those not getting a monthly paycheck and facing losing their homes were more than worried, and then there was health insurance or the lack of it. Obviously, for the military families, having their love ones fighting in far away lands and with not great hope of the wars ending soon was perhaps what was mostly in their minds. In short, not much to celebrate. In Europe, unemployment was perhaps the biggest worry in many countries. The Afghanistan war and terrorism were present in the minds but to a less extent than in the US.
So, have we reason to be optimist? Not much unless we manage to make our politicians change many of their ways and we do too. We have to become more responsible in taking care of the Planet -something few people had in their list of worries-, to become less racist, less intransigent with those of other cultures and religions and more open to help those suffering in other less developed countries. Is that being too Pollyanna like? Maybe, but in the end the generations of our children and grandchildren will pay for our mistakes if we don’t change. It does not have to be too painful, so make those ideas above your new year’s resolutions and … have a great 2010!