
I feel cronehood, cowhood, calling. And you know what? That is fine with me. I come from a long line of cows who were lovely people. Cows are more fun and comfortable with themselves and others. I will never be a goat. I got my first hoodie sweatshirt this year and could live in it. My favorite pants are ones most people wouldn't be caught dead in outside the home. Be it goat or cow, it's all good. I just hope everyone I know is a happy goat or cow.
Seems like the world is a hard place to be happy in these days. At a time when we as a culture have more than any other generation before us -- more things, conveniences, opportunities, information, even more people -- the proportion of hot messes seems to be on the rise. Literally everyone I know has something going on that is challenging their sense of well being and contentment. While this is part of the human condition, it is a sad part of it. Maybe we are all just wearing our troubles on our sleeves a bit more than in past generations. Is life harder now that we have so much more to deal with? When I think of what my parents' "minimalist" generation went through and had, and how little they complained and let it compromise the moment, all worries are quickly brought to heel. Cows and goats, I hope we all find more peace and balance this year.
As I say goodbye to the year and decade, I get reflective and hopeful that better things are on the way. More great audiobooks. More moments of joy with the parrots, cats, and pups. More rich times at school with the kids. More time with friends. Hopefully less pain and less required sleep, but am working on at least cultivating more acceptance of this aspect of living. More coffee! And, most of all, more art.
My goal for this vacation was to complete the current piece I've been working on for far too long. It is getting there, hindered only by the body's crashing waves that keep me from being able to work on it. I am really happy, though, as this piece has set me on a path filled with more ideas that need doing, and it is so exciting to be in this creative place. My mind is rich with possibilities for 2020 (this age sounds so sci-fi!) and as I complete the transformation into a "crone" and "cowhood" - not fighting the process of physical and mental change, accepting age for what it is, and just keeping on the path, I find happiness.
Not bad for a cow, actually. Happy New Year!