So, it's here 2020!

Some view it as the Roaring 20's. I always loved the imagery presented in the Great Gatsby even though it was a mirage . . . beautiful, grand, decorative, rich, full of fun and lighthearted, but underneath it all . . . it was a facade. Purely decorative. No foundation. Selfish to the core. A complete mirage which faded quickly.

Katie Perry "Roar" is empowering. We could view it as that. A year to be empowered; take courage; stand up for what is right. Be strengthened. A year to take risks and have a voice. This view is one that resonates for me. As a writer, having a voice is paramount and necessary. This is the reason that we write. To communicate something to the reader and hopefully spur the reader on to a positive action . . . something greater then themselves; something that will be helpful and bring healing and strength to society.

Some are viewing the new year as "2020 VISION" which I believe to be the most preferable.

I'm near-sighted and my vision has been terrible since hitting puberty and even before that. My dad always warned me to read in a room with a brighter light. I disregarded his warning. I loved to read and would get so wrapped up into the book that I was reading that could have cared less about the amount of lighting in the room. In 5th grade I read 300 books and wrote a book report on each. My teacher issued me a certificate; no one believes me until they see the certificate! Eventually my extensive reading caught up with me and I needed glasses in 7th grade. Glasses weren't the accessory of the popular crowd in Junior High, so thankfully my parents acquiesced to allowing me to wear contacts and I was able to become a cheerleader?! Ha! I digress; an entirely different story.

However, 'readers are leaders' and in doing so I also destroyed my perfect vision and required either glasses or contacts. I did, however, serve in ASB which is the acronym for "student council" or student politics, so it did pay off in the long-run.

What is perfect vision? They always say "hindsight is 2020 (meaning Perfect Vision)." That's true. How many times have we made mistakes only to look back and realize the consequences of our ridiculous decisions and hopefully learn and grow from it?

What about having perfect Vision for 2020? What does that mean and what does it entail? None of us can see the future . . .

I believe it means opening our eyes to the world around us. Transcending above our myopic silos and expanding our mind through . . . again, book reading, podcast listening, participating in logical and rational debates (not fruitless political bashes and put downs!), traveling to unknown places, expanding our mind and seeing things from a different perspective.

It could also involve having a True North. A fixed point on your moral and life compass. My True North is God. I keep my eyes on Him and everything else falls into place.

A True North keeps us moving towards a common goal, an overarching goal, a theme, an idea . . . for some it's democracy, for others religion, for some it's tied to relationships, and for others it's a number on a paycheck.

Interestingly enough I listened to a podcast on the EntreLeadership podcast which described how Vision can unite and drive people to do unimaginable feats and acts of courage. The episode was called, "Thanksgiving, Staying the Course (#349)" which was published on 11/17/2019. I highly recommend it!

It described how Vision helped the Pilgrims to overcome many obstacles (including a first attempt at the New World which resulted in a ship sinking in the harbor) to which they persevered and successfully arrived in the New World on the Mayflower. The challenges they faced seemed insurmountable and barriers to entry seemed too high to overcome, yet they did it! They pursued a Vision and because they did . . . they were the "seed" to one of the greatest countries today - America.

This is the Spirit that we've been birthed from. One that adopts a Vision, pursues it, overcomes the challenges and obstacles, holds the line, perseveres to the finish line, adapts to the twists and turns and keeps one's eye fixed on the end result - The Vision of 2020. One of promise. One of equality. One of Justice. One of Compassion. One of Truth. One of Innovation. One of Democracy.