Like many of us, I am keen to adios 2021 and welcome in 2022 tonight. While my family had a successful year, especially our boys who we are so very proud of, the challenges we have had to face (around prejudice, bias, equity and inclusion) have tired us greatly, and that is before even considering COVID which impeded us from gaining ‘space’ to balance out those stressors and regenerate our energy.
I am, however, optimistic that 2022 will be better, as we each collectively decide how we will live knowing that we will frequently be exposed to the coronavirus which causes COVID due to the spread of the Omicron variant.
As I said in my previous post, Omicron might ultimately be seen as a positive step in the pandemic in the fullness of time, but right now that remains uncertain while the current challenges are considerable.
I realise that many Australians might find this optimism difficult to understand as right now we are experiencing a surge in cases unlike anything we have experienced before – e.g. the jump in cases in NSW reported today to 21,151 was breath-taking.
And some may be especially surprised as they have considered me risk averse since I led my family to significantly reduce risk from early February 2020 when I quickly realised the dangers we faced.
Over the last 2 years we have all had a huge Reset with accompanied changed behaviours and habits. Some of these are positive and I aim to maintain them, e.g. rarely eating out (before the pandemic it was often a quick fix brought on from exhaustion at these stressors, but ultimately it was costly, less healthy and even less rewarding since we are all excellent cooks).
Other habits like reduced social interaction, I have always been mindful, must be temporary risk-reduction measures, not enduring habits, and already after receiving vaccinations I have very intentionally set about readjusting these.
I knew immediately that all our lives had changed, and I knew that we would never be the same.
I also knew it would be an opportunity to effect positive change at the personal and societal levels, and I am determined to do that for myself and those I love.
Simply, it is time to start reliving life now that science has been applied to its fullest to provide the quickest and best vaccines in human history along with other tools to manage COVID.
I recently sat at a table with people who until the pandemic were all frequent overseas travelers, and when I asked who will be planning an overseas trip this year, nobody was even considering it.
I am planning 2 trips to Italy this year, to make up for lost time (our episode of House Hunters International s149 ep 8 is still available for streaming on 9Now).
We will be vaccinated as fully as possible taking boosters whenever recommended and available. And we will be applying appropriate risk-reduction measures at all times.
The tools that we have to protect us are incredible, and while science will keep on making improvements, they will be incremental from here on.
There is nothing left to wait for, and life is too precious to let it slip by without living it to the fullest.
If there is one thing 2020 taught us it is that things can change quickly so we cannot take for granted what we have.
In 2022, take care and stay safe, but also plan and be smart while you make the most of it.
With all my love,
I am for a united humanity!
Brett
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© Copyright Brett Edgerton 2021
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