Years end is neither an end nor a beginning, but is a going on ...

...with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.

I will leave "what might have been" in 2010 & embrace the "what can still be"

... right in front of me!                                                       @TheSingleWoman

                      HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!    @DanielStrong10

"Vitality shows not only in the ability to persist, but in the ability to start over."

F. Scott Fitzgerald             

As 2010 comes to an end, we can find much to be disappointed about in
regard to our socio-political concerns.  Economic disparity continues to
grow, trillions of dollars continue to be wasted on wars which only bring
destruction and death, and more seeds of discrimination, repression, and
oppression continue to be planted. 

But what we don't often see, what is not media "news," is the difference we
have made in the thinking and acting of ... some human beings ... some people
... who now may make a positive difference in the lives of others in the year
to come. 

Perhaps we need to persist in some of our strategies designed to meet our
goals ... or perhaps we need to start over in some areas with new strategies.
Either way we show our vitality, and can be assured that we will have our
victories in 2011!

"One person with a belief is equal to ninety-nine who have only interests."

John Stuart Mill

We hear a lot about "protecting U.S. interests," or "our interests lie there," etc..
Even on an individual basis we are often told that "it is in our best interest."
But do we collectively and individually act from a heartfelt belief that
something is truly beneficial to all it will involve? 

"For Mercy has a human heart, Pity a human face: and Love ...

...the human form divine, and Peace the human dress."   William Blake

Those who rationalize every American military action, as well as those
of America's client states like Israel, are quick to use the excuse of
"we have to stop terrorism/the terrorists" and mock those who
oppose these actions as "weak," and needing to "get real."

What they are too shortsighted to see, however, is that their support
betrays the essence of what it really means to be a fully functioning
human being; for as Blake noted, it is MERCY, PITY, LOVE, and
PEACE that make up the core of one who is truly a stable person.
The person who is whole or at least striving toward wholeness feels
compelled to side with those who need mercy, pity, love, and peace,
because in doing so s/he attracts those things to his or her self,
reaffirming one's own humanity. A country can never stop "terrorism"
by committing or endorsing acts of terror which bring the opposite of
mercy, pity, love, and peace. Therefore, those who protest such acts
and stand for the essence of what constitutes full humanity are actually
the ones who are exhibiting strength, and are truly the most "real."

"If we don't change things, things will change us."

William Apollinaire

Most people seem to be content with the status quo.  That, of course,
is fine with governments who have power stacked at the top, among
the wealthiest one or two percent of the population. They just want
people to mind their own business, wave the flag, sing the anthem,
and treat the "security forces" as heroes.

Yet without the one or two percent of citizens who are activists for
change, the masses of people WILL be changed for the worse,
because the old cliche, "Power corrupts, and absolute power
corrupts absolutely," is TRUE.

The public owes a great deal of thanks to the tiny minority who are
whistleblowers and watchdogs for the good of the entire population,
for it is they who are taking the risks, suffering the criticism and abuse,
and making the REAL personal sacrifices. Wouldn't it be nice if we
had a HOLIDAY to remember and celebrate them!

"We are not in a position in which we have nothing to work with.

We already have capabilities, talents, direction, missions, callings." 

Abraham Maslow