COLUMN - Every year, either on December 31st, or early in January, I write a reflective post on my personal blog about the year that’s gone by. 2022 was only different to its two predecessors in the sense that we started to feel a modicum of normality again.
It was akin to a theme park, with me only riding the rollercoaster that slowly etched its way to moments of enthusiasm and elation, before plummeting into depths of fear or frustration.
There were brief flashes of equilibrium during the tumultuous ups and downs; peaceful, stress-free, reflective instances where nothing mattered except being in the moment, like the pride I felt at my first column being published, sipping a coffee in a to-go cup at the beach while the waves lapped at my toes or hearing my goddaughter’s laughter resounding as I pushed her higher and higher on her tyre swing.
We all have a different process when it comes to getting through a new year. The studious among us write down our goals, while the more free-spirited may prefer to ‘wing it’. Others, like me, float somewhere in the middle; we’re the dreamers that have the proverbial bucket list, but we don’t mind how long it takes to get to the destination, because while we’re navigating the detours of the journey, we experience things and meet kindred spirits we may have missed on a more direct route.
That said, I do have Mossel-Bay-specific resolutions I plan to accomplish in 2023:
Support more local businesses because they’re the lifeblood of our community;
Do the historic ghost walk again because it reminds me of the deep roots my family has here;
Take more photos of random things that depict the beauty of Mossel Bay and its people;
Enjoy a vintage-themed high tea and an old movie with my friends because it reminds us of a simpler, less rushed time; Swim in The Poort at sunrise, even if only once; and Zip line – as long as there’s ice-cream afterwards!
In short, I want to be a tourist in my own town – and I challenge you to do the same. If sightseeing is too tall an order, then I dare you to spend a quiet moment in grateful meditation that you’re here, in iconic Mossel Bay.
Soon 2023 will be here, it’s not too late to utter words of blessing and promise. My wish for each one of you reading this is: may the year hold enough trials to keep you humble, but more than that, may it be filled with many moments that bring you to places of peace, joy, gratitude, and hope.
Let’s continue to deepen our roots, and reflect how fortunate we are…
