Friends, How Many of Us Have Them?

Since LinkedIn is all about your "Connections" that you've come to know and (re)discover (via birthdays, postings and random check-ins); one does find out (time-and-time again) who your 'friends' truly are over the course of time, and as such, I waited until all 365 days passed to conclude what I may have learned this past, ridiculously trying year (alright, ridiculously, comically arduous)...

Now, I believed the year prior had easily been the most challenging of my (THIS MANY) years on this Planet and I wonder why and when these seemingly never-ending challenges that impose themselves into my life will cease to rule my days…

AND, THEN 2021 transpired (to us all).

Many of you have been there for me, in a myriad of capacities this past year, and I cannot begin to thank you enough for your kind and generous patience and consideration as a friend is somebody who adores you even though they know the things you're most ashamed of.

A friend is somebody who adores you even though they know the things you're most ashamed of. There's no substitute for loyalty. Don't take life for granted and don't take people for granted. Especially, if they help you liquidate and move on with your life.

When you're young, there's so much that you can't take it in. It's pouring over you like a waterfall. When you're older, it's less intense, but you're able to reach out and drink it. You have to be aware enough so that you can see situations as they pass in front of you and be able to catch the instant, whatever it is. Many times, you just don’t see the moment when you were yawning and then it’s too late. Don't become so full of yourself and so impatient that you really miss great opportunities.

As you get older, you realize the stuff you think is important isn’t important, and the stuff you thought wasn’t important actually is. Kids teach you to lighten up and that you can still be humbled by life, that you learn something new all the time, which for me was very handy because I wasn’t very much fun this year. Children give your life a resonance that it can’t have without them. Having children forces you to learn patience and that you need to accept that all plans are subject to change. They were a blessing for that. The most interesting thing about being a parent is being witness and supporting what they already are. It's standing there in awe. You get to be the one on the sidelines clapping.

I assume I’m going to make different mistakes than the ones my parents made with me, because I will. Some of it, you really want to unlearn. It's stress that kills you in the end. The best decisions you ever make are usually the ones you make even when everyone else says not to do it. I take responsibility for my successes as well as my many many failures. When I look at my professional missteps, I’m always left with the feeling that maybe I should have done more by now. Fear is the number-one emotion that we're spending tremendous amounts of brainpower to cover up. Motivation does make up for a lot of failings.

You're a different person every decade, and every decade you have different needs and desires and values. In my fifties, what became important to me was comfort and acceptance. I wouldn't have said those two things in my twenties.

I'd like to be an optimist, but I'd like to be a realist, too. I’m real old-fashioned about that “do unto others” thing. Every day is a chance to improve. No matter what you’re doing. Empathy is a learned characteristic. Some people take longer to learn it than others. Some never will.

Happiness for me is the people whom you love, love you back. Many of you remind me of the unique life I am allowed to lead and experiencing these events with some of the most kind, considerate and funny individuals makes it even more worthwhile. If you’re really meant to have a friendship, then it will last. I hope to have your friendship and that I don't disappoint you.

In typical Hermanesque fashion, I have to acknowledge those who continued to stick alongside me through this past tumultuous year and will spend the New Year aiming to reciprocate (and likely making amends for my ridiculousness).

I will not call you out, as you know who you are, but sincerely, thank you. I love so many of you. You have no idea how much.

With words by English songwriters Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse (often remembered sung by Nina Simone and interpreted by Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou - may you rest in peace: https://spoti.fi/3FMfTms

"...it's a new dawn, it's a new 'Dave', it's a new life, and I'm feeling good…”

Everything is so sad and so wonderful.

So, I smile, breathe and will try and let go and one step at a time, become the person I (still) want to be.

I'm not been particularly fond of making proclamations and never been fond of resolutions on what does a New Year make, but after what was, in retrospect, a(nother) exceedingly difficult year, and I hereby declare that 2021 was in fact - the absolute worst - and that, yes, THIS YEAR, WILL BE THE BEST YEAR EVER! Onward.

Here's to even more new friends, new experiences and new adventures in the Austrian Alps! Please come visit!

Happy New Year! Whatever is next, is gonna be epic!

Call your Mother, and tell her you love her!