It's been an eventful year, 2013. Summer found me out of work, re-hired, then unemployed, again... I'm now working at a medical institution, whose mission statement I believe in, rather than as a "mercenary" medic for remote gold mining/exploration corporations. For the first time in five years, I believe in what I'm doing. The money isn't as good, but then again, the peace of mind I get from knowing that I'm no longer employed by such destructive corporations, is nothing short of amazing. Advocates of mining, if you're reading this, know that the individual posting that assertion, has four years' inside knowledge of current processing practices, and will win any argument you may be able to start, if bidding for the right of corporations to pursue virgin gold and copper. The only assertion you can be correct in making, is that, as long as people continue to consume and assimilate technology at the rate that they do, gold and copper will continue to be in demand.
I loved being an EMT/medic. Still do - if I could find something that paid me well enough to support myself, without selling my soul, I would be doing that as a full time job, rather than continuing employment and medical education as a telemetry technician, and going back to school to become a nurse. Alas, the "strong free markets" yesmen and hipsters, would rather have the public believe that paying taxes sufficient to keep firefighters, EMTs and paramedics well trained AND paid well enough to live on, across the board, is too damned expensive. I grow tired of hearing people scream about government pork spending, when, in any given geographic area in this country, a full fifty or even seventy-five percent of their fire/EMS personnel, are UNPAID professionals (i.e. volunteers). So, yes, let's continue to harp about how taxes are evil, shall we? And roads, and schools and teachers for our children, and all the great stuff that governments do for us, rather than leave us to the privatization loan sharks. Next time you want to cry to me about how government is evil, tell me again how and why the government subsidizes things so that food is affordable, in this country. Political polarization and cognitive dissonance, on both sides, has divided and dulled us, and made cooperation all but impossible. I hold out very slender hope for us, as a nation - even more slender hope, I hold for us, as a species.
Back on point... In the year that is now past: I faced unemployment twice, if briefly; landed another job, through patience, diligence, hard work and determination; embarked on the journey for higher education as a nurse; faced the prospective end of my six years and change relationship; engaged in couples' counseling for that; dealt with a younger sibling going off the deep end and deciding that she hated everyone and everything, especially me; engaged in counseling for myself, and learned the basics on establishing boundaries; broke down and retreated from the world; dissolved at least one "friendship", and made others. "Eventful" does not begin to cover this turn of events. This year has seen a shift in my willingness - based on my ability - to help others, at the expense of my own essential needs. It has taught me that, for the larger part of things, I am the only one that will take care of "me". It has taught me that I need to learn to communicate better. In addition, I have learned, more than ever, to be kind, because, frequently, we are all fighting our own uphill battle, visible or otherwise.
2013 has been one hell of a ride. I hope, with all sincerity, that 2014 will see me able to push forward in my education, and growth as a human being. I hope that I will be able to polish some of the jaded patina from my heart and mind, and become more compassionate, again. I hope that I can continue to lend support to those that have helped me, and perhaps be there more, this year, than I have managed to in the past year.
Here's to more activism, compassion, creativity, education, and overall awesomeness in the year to come. Cheers.
