Happy New Year!
Posted on December 30, 2011 By Joseph
The New Year may just be another page to turn on the calendar, but symbolically, it’s much more.To get a sense of how people were facing the New Year, I went to my favorite breakfast spot near where I lived for 27 years before moving to Topanga — Joni’s Coffee Roaster Cafe in Marina del Rey — and asked some of the regulars for their take on 2011 and their resolutions, wishes and hopes for themselves and the world in 2012.
Eric is a realtor whose significant other is a travel agent. “It’s been a busy year,” he said. “Lots of business and I went on some good trips. My resolution is to see three new countries — and to lose twenty pounds.” With a nod to my seasonally expanded girth, I sidestepped the question of heft and stuck with travel. “Do you have a favorite country?”
“Before visiting I wouldn’t have thought so, but Germany was more fun and beautiful than I thought it would be.”
“What would you hope for the world in 2012?”
“An end to war, war, war,” he sighed, “I wish people would remember that there are real people that die in these places.”
The departing year blessed Bob, a local investor, with a new grandchild. “Elliot Alexander is one month old today,” he said beaming. “It’s been a great year. My wife and I took our dream trip to Italy. We traveled by train starting in Venice and ending up in Rome. Along the way we ate great food and drank a lot of great wines.”
“What’s your 2012 resolution?”
“My son just graduated from college. My wife and I have resolved to work hard to help him find a job,” he said laughing. “So he’ll move out and pay his own way.”
“Do you have a resolution for the world in 2012?”
“I do,” he said seriously, “I hope we’re at peace. I know there seems to be war everywhere. But I hope we end old wars, avoid new wars and that there’s peace and goodwill for all.”
Richard, an entrepreneur, resolved to come to Joni’s more often and “do more deals.”
“It’s too bad about the world economy — we’re really suffering. But things should straighten out,” he said, hopefully.
Ginger, a real estate broker, had traveled to Paris in 2010 and was heading up to Aspen in a couple of months with about “sixty maniacs.”
“I resolve to be more patient, tolerant and kind to my family and friends,” she said, “And what I wish for the world is a much improved form of birth control so that we do not have the tragedy of single mothers with children stuck in poverty. I think it would improve the economy, crime rate and the way people relate. These children are being raised without fathers — we need more fathers and children to be born into families.”
“So, you see it as a time of growth for yourself and the world,” I asked.
“I’m praying for it,” she replied. Ginger also suggested that all single men resolve to get a dog. “They are a “girl magnet.” Get a puppy and you will have lots of girlfriends.”
Claudette, a French teacher at an upscale girls’ academy, wanted to be more optimistic in the New Year and her wish for the world followed suit.
“Well, you know, it’s a bit clichéd,” she said, self-consciously, “but, I want peace for the world. Even though, I feel it’s a far-fetched hope.”
“It’s a grand idea that’s never a cliché,” I replied.
“That’s what I’m saying,” she said, “I’m trying to be more optimistic.”
Al, a stockbroker, has been coming to Joni’s before Joni and figured he’d spent “about $14,000 on coffee in the last twelve years.” He resolved to catch more trout in the Sierra Nevada lakes and streams, exercise more, give more to charity and stay healthy. He was less sure about the world. “I’m still hoping we can avoid war in the new year. At least, I’m keeping positive thoughts in that vein.”
My next stop was to a coffee klatch of four friends. Although she had no resolutions for herself, Candice, who is in internet marketing, was eager to offer her wish for the world.
“Given that cloning has become an issue today. I’m hoping that if they clone people that they all look like Brad Pitt.” A roar of laughter from her friends accompanied her witticism. Her tablemate Carl, a Buddhist, healer and massage therapist, had a distinctly different perspective. “I want the world to wake up spiritually and realize their positive potential.”
Glenn, a sales representative, and his companion, Elizabeth, were heading for the Western Caribbean. “I don’t have a New Year’s resolution,” he said, “But we’re going to be spending New Year’s at sea in high style. So, I’d like that to be the theme for next year — that we do things in style.”
“And for the world?”
“I’d just like to see us get through this next year with peace and harmony. No more war.”
It seemed that the basic theme was more health and beauty personally and, although there was little hope that it would happen, a strong desire to avoid war and embrace peace.
Rae, an attorney, seemed to second the motion.
“What’s your personal New Year’s resolution?” I asked.
“To take my vitamins.”
“And, what would you like the world to resolve to do?”
“My fantasy wish is peace in the Middle East.”
“And, your real wish?”
“Hmm. I’d have to think about that one.”
“Maybe, if you think your fantasy wish is a real one, it will become one,” I proposed.
“Could be,” she said, not convinced.
All this wishing is a good thing, and yet, actions speak louder than words.
Howard, a businessman, seemed to answer the call. “I’d like it to be a better world, so my resolution is to try and make it a better world by being a more participatory citizen. To not turn and look away when somebody needs help.”
And Robert, the owner of another restaurant near by, tied it all together. Although he felt blessed that 2011 was an okay year for his business, he hoped for better health in his family in 2012. And being a boater, he had a bit of nautical wisdom to share, “I heard a toast the other day which meant a lot to me. It goes like this: ‘There are big ships and little ships, but the most important ships are friendships.’”
So, what about my New Year’s resolutions, hopes and wishes? Well, except for Brad Pitt clones, I could easily agree with all that my breakfast buddies resolved, hoped and wished for. But, simply, I resolve to be the best that I can be and strive for excellence no matter what the reward.
2011 has been a momentous year for me — Julie and I have worked hard, Travelscope finished shooting it’s sixth season and won an Emmy, I made new friends, lost old ones, solidified my spiritual practice — it was a year of happiness, tears, laughter and pain — or like an old friend of mine, Ed, likes to say — another year of “life on the planet.”
For it seems that with any kind of growth there has to be pain. Like Bob Dylan once said, “It don’t take much brains to know, that if you don’t grow — you die.”
So, with that thought in mind, here’s wishing, hoping and praying that we’re all “living” in this New Year.
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