I can’t say that 2021 started off vigorously or with a bang. It has felt like some horror story dragging along slowly. I wound up feeling like we hadn’t really moved into a new year.

Even now, there is unease about what lies ahead. Is some big plan bubbling under the surface for civil war? Will we be wearing masks all year? Will there be sensational headlines showing up regularly of fights in the senate? Will things ever settle down, for heaven’s sake?

If you are also having some of those same anxious and stuck feelings, you are not alone. So how do we break out of it? Here are four suggestions to help you move forward in 2021:

1. Break up with a person you don’t really like.
   Could you possibly be hanging out with somebody as just a habit? Is the chemistry dead? Just break it up. Bring up your courage and tell him/her you are moving on, as this isn’t working. And don’t get caught in the trap of having to justify it to them. It will free up a lot of your energy. Are they going to like it? No, but it’s your time, energy and life.
2. Make it a habit to say something nice to somebody, and especially strangers.
   Many years ago, I was in the cafeteria at U of H with a friend. We were heading down an aisle when we passed a shy-looking young man. Clare smiled and said to him, “Oh what beautiful blue eyes you have,” and we kept on walking. It let him know she wasn’t coming on to him, but was truly admiring his eyes. He lit up like a Christmas tree, and I know it made his day. I try to do that regularly. It doesn’t cost one penny, and can make a big difference in someone’s day.
3. Wake up each morning deciding you are going to enjoy your day.
   Give yourself permission to extract joy from any situation you are in. Joy is everywhere, and you just have to recognize it. I, for one, enjoyed the heck out of the Bernie-in-the-chair memes. Looks like lots of people were eager to play.
4. Please “like” my Facebook page, Compassionate Clearing.
   I post upbeat messages there most days just to help keep us positive.