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Welcome to 2024. I have spent the last month pretty much watching end-of-the-world disaster movies. They all tend to be the same: a calamitous event – meteor, nuclear war, giant insects, extreme weather, zombie-creating diseases, or robot uprisings – resulting in death, destruction, and the end of humankind. Ever notice how it's always a plucky little band of young people who, despite personal injury, betrayal, incredibly bad communication skills, constant danger, and an endless supply of weaponry, always save the day? Conclusion: 40 years ago, I might have had a nominal chance of survival!
The cold snap is sort of ending. At my house, I am constantly gauging the outside temperature – this is done digitally: through three websites via the laptop and two apps on the cellphone, as well as traditional media (radio/TV reports), visual appraisal (looking out the window), and physical check (standing at the open door with the dog stammering, “It’s too cold,” then closing the door). Additional clue: the car won’t start. My kitchen table covered with graphs, charts, wind vanes and weather stripping, I carefully do the math. Aha…too cold to open in the morning. I notify all staff “morning will be below -40, come in at noon.” Turns out it’s a nice balmy -27*, the car has an anti-theft option and thought it was being stolen and the dog has gone for an outside walk nine times in the last hour.
My cold? Yes, I have one. Almost two years without respiratory ailments, and then disaster struck. An ongoing chronic issue flared and ended with a visit to a walk-in clinic. It was apparent that the majority of people were there with sniffles, sneezes, coughs, and wheezes. I was prepared: I had a mask, gloves, and wipes. I also had a two-hour wait, and my daughter brought me a coffee. Those germs are sneaky. I now have sniffles, sneezes, coughs, and wheezes that will not go away. I realize I am a limping carrier of toxic pathologies, waiting to infect their next victim; however, I firmly believe my staff needs to rethink the crime scene tape and plastic tenting they have on my office doorway. I like to share—what's a few germs amongst friends? (Insert evil laugh here.)
Each year brings new adventures, ideas, challenges, loss, and hope. In our non-profit sector, we see many of the ills of the world, and it’s easy to get caught up in those sorrows and tragedies, forgetting that we do make a difference. The work and volunteering you do is important and needed, whether you are part of a sports group, a food bank, a theater group, a science club, it all counts. This sector provides hope; the people working in it matter, and the world is a better place because of people like you who believe in the goodness of each other. Remember to take a minute to laugh and put things into perspective, reclaim your passion, feel blessed and we all benefit.
All the best for the New Year.
Cheers,
Carol-Anne
Best End-of-World Movie to watch: The Mitchells vs. the Machines
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