Looking Forward to 2022; The Ease of Being a Cynic

My goals for 2022 are nothing out of the ordinary; apart from having some of them be to actually travel somewhere of relatively far distance in a hopefully more open world. The main goal that should hopefully help drive the rest is optimism

The Ease of Being a Cynic

Conversations I have had over the past six years really seemed to stem around the time that it was clear that the 45th President had been decided and that Brexit was indeed taking place despite the odds that I thought made either happening impossible. I won't get into how I feel about either of those situations and the seemingly endless repurcussions that have snowballed from these moments in time, apart from one, optimism.

Maybe it's just my own bubble but so many conversations that I have had over the past five years have divolved into complaining about something. Whether it was the 400th ridiculous thing that was said by a president, or whether it is talking about the weather. Everything is a controversy and we - probably the more liberal leaning side of the political spectrum but it happens on both sides for different reasons - exhaust ourselves with endless moaning about issues that we cannot solve in a coffee shop or a pub.

It is so easy to shoot something down. Enjoying an unusually warm day can be done quite easily without brining up climate change, but people do it, why? We all know that there are serious issues that are unlikely to improve overnight (unless the world collectively decides to stop consuming significantly), we don't need to be reminded endlessly in moments of otherwise bliss. It's like when the MLB uses pink bats to raise awareness for breast cancer. (Of which the cynic in me immediately already wants to pile onto that charity for its misappropriation of charitable funds received). We know that cancer exists and that it is awful and that we wish desperately to cure the world of it. Does it really need to enter our minds on a 3-2 pitch in the bottom of the 9th?

Therefore, my personal goal for next year is to try to put the troubles of the world out of my head at least half the time I would otherwise open my mouth to utter some retort to a political speech or a reminder that factory farming exists if I see someone buying the KFC chicken bacon steak whatever burger. There are undoubtedly behaviours that we can all improve upon to help future generations, but remember that its okay to be greedy sometimes and enjoy life for yourself. You needn't be so selfless that you become bitter and wave your fist at the sky.

That said, don't be overly selfish and pretend that getting a covid booster only affects you. I'm speaking in general terms. Get vaccinated so we all have a much better chance of living our best lives as soon as we can.

It will be a struggle to try to overcome these things (at least personally, I have this strange issue with letting things go sometimes), just remember to let the thought pass and get back to enjoying life's little momemnts instead of tearing them down.

Some things in life are bad they can really make you mad
Other things just make you swear and curse
When you're chewin' on life's gristle, don't grumble give a whistle
And this'll help things turn out for the best

And always look on the bright side of life
Always look on the light side of life

If life seems jolly rotten there's something you've forgotten
And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing
When you're feeling in the dumps don't be silly chumps
Just purse your lips and whistle, that's the thing

And always look on the bright side of life
Come on, always look on the bright side of life

For life is quite absurd and death's the final word
You must always face the curtain with a bow
Forget about your sin, give the audience a grin
Enjoy it it's your last chance anyhow

So always look on the bright side of death
Just before you draw your terminal breath

Life's a piece of shit when you look at it
Life's a laugh and death's a joke it's true
You'll see it's all a show keep 'em laughing as you go
Just remember that the last laugh is on you

And always look on the bright side of life
Always look on the right side of life
Come on Brian, cheer up

Always look on the bright side of life
Always look on the bright side of life
Worse things happen at sea you know

Always look on the bright side of life

~ The Life of Brian, Monty Python

Other Goals

• Start swimming again / get swol
• Learn rust to a resaonable level
• Spend more time with friends and acquaintances
• Travel to see my family and parts of the world I have not been.
• Play Breath of the Wild 2
• Learn some new recipes in the kitchen