Ushered

Whether we like it or not, we will be ushered into 2017 in a couple of days.

2016 was, to many, disappointing and sad. There was a contentious and scandalous U.S. election; Brexit; the never-ending wars in some parts of the world; refugee crisis; odd new diseases; starvation and poverty; so many people killed by terrorist and gun violence; so many fallen stars.

You may find many articles analyzing those events. You can read until the cows come home, or don't read them at all.

The question is, how can one deal with so much sadness, confusion and anxiety in the new year? 

Duality is created when, in our mind, we have a concept of how things are supposed to be. We feel disappointed or satisfied, sad or happy, because of those concepts. If we see things around us and around the world as "happenings" instead of mandate them as how they "should" be, then instead of being upset by the unhappiness, we maybe able to go on with our lives with less struggle and a little more positivity.

Yes, there are wars in the Middle East; the Americans have elected a small-minded narcissist as our president (shame on us); the British chose to leave the E.U. ... We are witnessing the world in transformation. In fact, our world has never stopped changing. Only this time, the wind of change is stronger, less predictable and seemingly backwards. Our parents and grandparents have gone through changes in their lives, and now it's our time. How are we going to deal with it? I believe everyone is free to do what you want. As to me, I will resist the new government for any injustice; fight for justice for all, and fight to protect our environment and all lives on it.

On a personal level, there will be challenges and struggles. Challenges make life more interesting and struggles make us stronger. How to deal with them is your choice, and only you can make that choice. Believe me, you will be rewarded with sprinkles of joy.

Life is a dance, enjoy and have fun, or do whatever you want with it.

Here is my wish for the new year - for all to know that our Earth and all lives on it are precious, and to treat them with care and respect. I guess what I really want to say is: please, please, please don't blow up our world.

May peace be with us all.

P.S. I will spend more time at the beach!

Advertisement campaign on T.V.

Yummy: loaded fries
Delicious: cheese-stuffed pizza
Great value: two medium pizzas for the price of one
Great deal: unlimited bread with your meal
Results: A nation of people with clogged arteries and obesity

Simple but sad as that.