Realism and Dawn of Hope for A Better year in 2021 (Part 2) – In the Bleak Mid Winter

2021 – Dawn of Hope for A Better Year Part 2 – In the Bleak Mid Winter

1. Resilience for a Long recession. Also be prepared that the recession will last some years. Look at the great depression of 1929 it only ended in 1939 because of the Second World War. We don’t want another war. In some ways we already have open cyber warfare it’s just taken a different format. But this recession and its impact will last some time – be under no illusions.
2. Pandemic of Surprises. Scientists I know and respect told me back in March 2020 to prepare for at least 18 months to 2 years of disruption and danger of infection due to the pandemic.  This has proved to be very accurate and we need to be prepared for the fact that the whole of 2021 will be dominated by the pandemic.In December 2020 they said we are now in the second quarter – be prepared for this taking longer than you imagined, in spite of the good news of the hope for help via vaccinations.
3. Appreciation of The Priceless Things. Appreciate what you already have family, friends and loved ones. The tenderness the love the care the support the help the friendship the appreciation the gratitude the generosity those are the key things that count when everything else is beyond your control.
4. Lock-Down Puppies. Remember pets are crucial and we have found a new puppy to be a great addition.  A lot of people like us got new puppies animals cats during the pandemic and they proved to be a great comfort. But a puppy is not just for Christmas and it’s not just for a lockdown it’s for life.
5. Stoic Philosophy. Finally learn from the Stoics (Ryan Holiday – The Daily Stoic) for the wisdom going forward. Some of my favourite quotes:

   “Self knowledge is freedom”

   Epictetus 

   
   “What you are shouts so loudly in my ears,

    I cannot hear what you say.”

   Ralph Waldo Emerson

   
   “Would you have a great Empire? 

   Rule over yourself!”

   Publilius Syrus former slave

   
   “Do you have moral authority? It is given to you by those you lead based on the congruity of your words & actions.” 

   (Rhetoric vs Reality)

   
   “If it’s not right, don’t do it.
   If it’s not true, don’t say it.”

   Emperor Marcus Aurelius

   
   “If a little is not enough for you, nothing is.”

   Epicurus

   
   “Success is not final, failure is not fatal. 

   It is the courage to continue that counts.”

   Winston S Churchill 

   warmest regards Jonathan