Dear World,
You’re so beautiful and so vicious. Please, for the New
Year, scream enthusiastically of two things: (1) Kindness and (2) Chutzpah. You know
Kindness, World. We all do; we’re the majority. It’s a shame that greed and
destruction claim relentless power. It’s outrageous that a loud lunacy has successfully
demoted Kindness to something that’s not only invisible but “bad” and “threatening.” You’ve come this far, World. You haven’t simply let evil get
past you – not without taking note, standing up to it, fighting against it. Chutzpah. Spunk. Resiliency. These are some of your greatest
resources, and they’re in abundance. It’s prime time to proudly use them to their greatest extent.
People hate the Jews, World, because we’re said to be “chosen.” Yet
what we're chosen for, according to scripture and ancient narrative, is to
bring peace on earth. We can’t do it
alone, never wanted to. We’re only 2% of America, only .2% of You. In fact, Your main
religions share this goal. It’s a mission that requires copious amounts of chutzpah. Those
of us able to fight full-force this moment, must do so
on behalf of those struggling to survive the same moment. Let's nurture ourselves
and each other every breath of the journey. We need each other. Time to admit
this. Let’s stop fighting over words and egos, World.
I know that this sometimes overly
feisty and otherwise flawed woman has room for improvement. I’ll keep
working on it, World. Thanks for the fairly constant loving wisdom in others who've given hugs, guidance, and support. We are, after-all, a family of humankind.
Together, we can and we will work towards a better World, one that will most certainly challenge us with
plenty of opportunities for Kindness and Chutzpah. Humor too. Let us never
forget the life-sustaining powers of laughter.
I won’t say “Happy New Year,” World. “Happy” is an unreasonable,
arbitrary expectation. I’ll say this: May we best take care of our human
family. May we not only be kind to each other. May we find in ourselves, and
through unity, the chutzpah needed to rise above and beyond threats to our lives and to all Your beauties. May we make progress towards a better YOU for all of humankind.
With Sincere Hopefulness and Gratitude,
Robyn Alana Engel
I love you.
Let's do what we do best in 2017: Keep on keeping on by way of kindness and chutzpah.
Smooches and chocolate to you all.
xoRobyn
I love this!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Ruth.
DeleteBeautifully said. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shoshanah. Always nice to hear from you. We'll keep on keeping on, as long as we have breath.
DeleteVery true, the happy part of new year never seems to beat out greed. Hopefully the world listens up. And we shall keep on keeping on.
ReplyDeleteThat we shall, Pat. Happily!
DeleteI hope that all of our cups of kindness, love and laughter overflow. And that the world drowns in those most excellent things.
ReplyDeleteHugs and hope to you dear Robyn. Now and always.
Thank you, dear EC. Overflowing kindness, love, and laughter all around. Dayenu.
DeleteThank you, Robyn, for making my 2016 happier and loads more entertaining! 2017 will be a year of big changes for the World. I am hoping that, and doing my part to make, love and kindness prevail. Love to you my friend. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteMy sentiments exactly. Love and gratitude back to you, my friend.
DeleteBeautiful thoughts from a beautiful woman. Thank you, Robyn.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jono, my beautiful friend. Keep on.
DeleteWe can all work harder at it. I AM saying Happy New Year! We need to work on being happier. All of us. You are awesome!! XX
ReplyDeleteTrue words. And thanks so much. You're awesome too, Bee Bee. A very Happy 2017 to you.
DeleteI'm thinking I'm waiting to wish a better new year to everyone until I get a few in me and can do it incoherently...
ReplyDeleteYou awake yet? Groggy-eyed? Watch out for that -- too late.
DeleteBe well and have a great 2017, CW.
Not too terrible, though you can tell by FB It wasn't exactly a dignified night.
DeleteHaha. I haven't yet caught up on the indignity of it all - but I do very much look forward to it, Chris. Thank you for your heart and wit and for taking this reasonable Commie along your journey. Smiles.
DeleteAmen, sister!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like we made it to another year, Fishducky. Much mazel for a safe and healthy one.
DeleteLove to you.
Beautifully said, Robyn! Let's make this the kindest year yet. Thank you for this!
ReplyDeleteYes, good things like kindness arise from bad things like evil. You're welcome and thank you, good Martha. PS You'll forever be the GOOD Martha! Smiles.
DeleteThat was awesome Robyn! From your lips to god's ears, as they say. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteFingers and toes crossed, JoJo.
DeleteHappy, healthy, safe New Year to you and Russell.
Beautiful. Well said Robyn. Wishing you and your family a Happy and Prosperous New Year!
ReplyDeleteA healthy, prosperous, safe, and sound New Year to you as well. Thank you kindly, Nasreen.
DeleteWhat a lovely post. I hope your new year is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteMany wonders for you to appreciate in this new year as well, Rosey. Thank you for your e-friendship.
DeleteWonderfully said! I wish peace and kindness would reign supreme but I doubt it. All we can do is try to show it to people we meet and speak to either through the written word or the verbal. I hope we are healthy and that this years brings much blessings
ReplyDeleteYes, many blessings to us all, Birgit.
DeleteKeep a smile. You keep me smiling.
From Japan :I wish you a Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm thrilled. I don't believe I've ever gotten a message from Japan. Thanks so much, Ryoma. A very happy, safe, and healthy New Year to you and your beautiful country (which I hope to see someday).
DeleteBeautifully expressed, Robyn. Chutzpah New Year! :)
ReplyDeleteChutzpah New Year to you too, Dawn. I'm excited for the fabulous start to your year - a published book to be proud of! I look forward to all the laughs your words will bring me. As we know, that's one thing the world needs most - to laugh and lighten up. Woohoo!
DeletePeople hate Christians for similar reasons. Together, we can bring peace to this world, though.
ReplyDeleteThank you for that perspective, Diane. It helps broaden my perspective. There are eccentrics in every sect of the population and people who claim to be "good Christians, good Jews, good Muslims..." Unfortunately that minority sect is often what we base judgement on. Alas, together, yes, we can bring peace to the world. Blessings for 2017.
DeleteHappy New Year, Robyn! Yes, let's fill 2017 with plenty of chutzpah! And clitzpah too!
ReplyDeleteHaha. I love it, Deb. You coined a new term just for me: "clitzpah"! I'll use it proudly and won't forget it. Thank you. You're awesome. Happiest of New Years to you!
DeleteI send you my hariest good wishes for the new year, Robyn. May the primates of all species live in peace and harmony! You gotta to have a lot of chutzpah to climb a tree!
ReplyDeleteI haven't had the chutzpah to climb a tree, GB, since I was a kid. Then again, I haven't tried. On third thought, I'll leave that one to your species. You can do the, uh, swinging too. Wink.
DeleteHappiest, hariest of years, my best ape friend.
Wonderful letter, Robyn. Wishing you peace and kindness and many blessings in the new year!
ReplyDeleteMany blessings to you too, Connie. Thank you.
DeleteIt may be too much to expect peace in 2017, but I hope to experience some kindness and to show some, too
ReplyDeleteYes, you're pragmatic. Your hopes are achievable. Here's to kindness in 2017.
DeleteThanks, Sage.
Be kind.
ReplyDeleteI'll drink to that.
I'll drink to your drinking to that - I'm drinking hot chocolate. I'm guessing you're not.
DeleteDarn it, Al. I miss you already. Do keep visiting. Thank you.
I plan on drinking tonight.
DeleteThen tomorrow.
I may have a problem.
Right on sister! LOVED reading this. May 2017 wrap you in good health, prosperity, love and laughter my friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you girlfriend. All the best to you too.
DeleteBlessings, Peace, Love, and Fun for you in 2017!! And LOTS Of Chocolate xoxox
ReplyDeleteThe more chocolate, the better. Thank you Holli!
DeleteI was gonna say cheesy new year
ReplyDeletePTM, I miss you! A cheesy New Year to you and your little bunch. Hugs.
DeleteGreat letter and a positive kind way to enter 2017. I'm with you through thick and thin. And if I keep eating chocolate, I will be chunky. Hugs to you, my feisty friend. Chin up!
ReplyDeleteIt's always up when I read these comments. Thank you, Joanne. All good things, and only good things, to you and Ray in 2017.
DeleteWhat a beautiful way to put it. We're all in this together, and you're right, laughter and kindness are the best medicine (and the only kind of medicine this particular doctor is any good at prescribing). You know we're here for you, forever and always. May 2017 be full of many happy laughs.
ReplyDeleteWell said, my friend. There are many of us who share and understand your sentiments. Love you!
ReplyDeleteThat is a lovely post, Robyn. Your in the top 2%. I didn't realize that was the percentage. I learned something new today.
ReplyDeleteI agree that kindness needs to be the "next big trend". It seems that rudeness, negativity, and contentiousness seems to be the "in" thing as of late.
Let's all hope and pray that kindness and Chutzpah find their way into the hearts and minds of the masses.
I hope this is a lovely year for you and you find more and more people that love you and appreciate your humor, your intellect and your sweet spirit.
Thank you, Cheryl. You're a gem.
DeleteAll good things to you this year. In blogland alone, I'm very lucky to be so well loved. I have that in my real world too. It's a wonderful thing.
What a great reminder. Thanks, Robyn!
ReplyDelete