Hello everyone.  It’s time for my annual New Year’s Eve rant.  Frankly I am surprised anyone still reads these, so thank you for sticking around!

2021 was debatably better than its predecessor, but unfortunately troubling from the start.  The leftover champagne from our New Year’s Eve Zoom was still carbonated when we were reminded our initial optimism was unfounded.  On the other hand, many likely saw some positives in their personal lives.  Despite the frustrating state of the world, sometimes it’s OK to simply be happy with your own state of affairs.  With this in mind, I will regale you with a tale from years ago.

Once I was walking along in the city, hurrying to meet a friend for dinner but a bit late (surprise). Someone looking for donations/signatures stopped me and queried, “Do you care about (insert cause here)?”  While I will sometimes humor such questions, I was behind schedule.  Therefore I decided to forgo pleasantries and simply responded (tongue-in-cheek), “Nah, I don’t care” and continued my trek. As I departed he responded, “How could you not care!?!”  Following my lead, though, he appeared to see humor in the situation as well and our exchange earned giggles from onlookers.  It was probably his most engaging interaction of the day.

It was an insignificant moment but one I remember.  I have been on the other side of such exchanges, a starry-eyed college kid looking to fix humanity (or, admittedly, pad a resume).  There are many causes demanding an audience.  In the social media age we are inundated with issue after issue, constantly reminded about every struggle and forgetting to simply appreciate our daily lives.  At times we are forced to live with an unhappy conscience, unable to enjoy simple moments with larger problems on the loose.  In this vein I will present an alternate scene, one that exists in another universe seen only by the likes of Dr. Strange.

“Excuse me sir, do you care about (insert cause here)?” asked the enthusiastic activist.

“No, I don’t,” was my curt reply.

“How could you not care?” he responded, condescendingly.

“I have to be on my way,” I implored, “so at this moment I don’t care.”

“But sir, you must care!” he insisted.

“I’m sorry but I really need to go,” I explained.

“This is really important, so could I please have just a few minutes of your time,” he continued.  “Surely you care even a little–“

I cut him off.

“OK you win.  Yes, of course I care.  I care about a lot of things and devote much time and energy towards them.  I care about the children, the elderly, and everyone in between.  I care about conflicts, equality, poverty, starvation.  I care if Rachel gets off the plane, if Luke lands the proton torpedoes, if Tessio gets off the hook for old time’s sake, and if Ferris beats his parents home.

“I care about crime, fair trials, justice, reasonable discussions, and considering the context no matter how difficult.  I care if my package is delivered.  I care about my family, students, friends, and other acquaintances. I care about my own happiness as well as those around me.  I care about politics and wonder if it’s in the nature of our leaders to become corrupt.  I care if the lid of the jar gets stuck, the bill is correct, the car has enough gas, my phone battery survives the night, and the potato chips become projectiles when I open the bag.  I care about not saying the wrong thing at the wrong time (sadly I often do), and I care enough not to make a U-turn on a busy main street or talk on the phone while the waitress is taking my order.

“But there’s more.  I care about the environment, but worry we humans don’t have the mettle to do anything beyond spewing platitudes, making a few cosmetic changes, and complaining about the government (can we handle the real change necessary?).  I care about the decline of discourse and common decency.  I care about every misstep earning a Nazi comparison.  I care if there are enough seats for everyone and if the appetizers are plenty.  I care about excessive use of pitch counts, hitters trying to smash a home run every at-bat, and complete games relegated to special occasions.

“I also care about clearing my inbox, finding the lost remote, slowing down before the speed camera, and remembering to do the wash so I have a clean shirt for tomorrow.  I care about iced drinks on a summer afternoon, warm cocoa, hot morning beverages, and someone to join me.

“There’s more to say.  I care about a little chivalry now and then even though it’s considered rude these days.  I care about history, science, math, reading, writing, and the crisp pages of a new book.  I care about a sprawling breakfast on a lazy Sunday, lunch outside on a flawless afternoon, and a hearty dinner lasting longer than the movie we inadvertently skipped.

“I care about clean drinking water, full employment, inclusion, and growing old enough to yell at those damn kids to get off my lawn.  I care about poetry, literature, movies, music, art, landing a drum fill without losing the beat, hitting the note in karaoke, and still remembering the joy of completing a mix tape.  I care about losing our humanity to technology.  I care if he finds a woman like Jessie’s girl, if a prayer will get them the whole way there, and if she wants him (baby).

“I care about and look forward to the day we can enter a crowded venue without anxiety, or enjoy school without active shooter drills.

“And finally I care that everyone is given the latitude to express themselves, but hope they do it with reason and compassion.

“I care about all of these things and much more.  But right now, I care most about spending some time with an old friend — one currently awaiting my arrival.  It’s impossible to preoccupy oneself constantly with the state of world affairs.  So please forgive me for not concerning myself at this very moment with the issue you care about.”

Cue applause.  Handshakes and smiles exchanged.  We part ways, each having found a moment of growth from the experience.

My friends, for 2022 let’s all consider what’s important.  There is plenty in the world to care about and a time and place to embrace it.  But don’t forget what’s in front of you, the things most important to you that cannot be ignored.  If left alone, they can be lost and your soul left undernourished.  Hold them tight and give them the attention needed, and don’t let anyone doubt your intentions because they have no idea what’s important for you at that very moment.

Happy New Year everyone!!!