It is a common practice to start the New Year with something new; new expectations, new resolutions. In our family, one of the traditions is to wear new clothes on December 31^st. It can be something as small as underwear, socks or a shirt.

For a while, I felt that I wanted to do more, to deflect the flow of negativity, which floods our lives. To do that, I was considering creating a website named “Good news 4U”, in which I thought to bring to my readers some positive information. However, I soon realized that it is going to be one too many projects to add to my already busy work day. A friend told me that she recently saw the film “Tuesdays with Morrie”. I read the book many years ago and when I decided to read the synopsis, it dawned on me that Morrie shared with the author, Mitch Albom, similar ideas (good news) which I have been wanting to bring to my readers. Stories about light, love and laughter. As a result, I decided to change my weekly essays to “Fridays with Manny”, which I hope my readers will share with their friends through social media. The new format will only have 3 images, which are going to be posted weekly on Instagram as well. After 2021 is over, I am considering to put 52 essays and 156 images in a separate book. Stay put.

A few weeks ago I wrote that in my attempt to isolate myself from negativity, I stopped reading newspapers. However, my wife Elfa still does, and she recently showed me an article which appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle on November 26, 2020 written by Nora Mishanec titled, “With less need to yell, birds’ singing is best in decades”. It describes the experience of ornithologist Jennifer Phillips, who “was astonished by hearing that the birds sang more softly in the relative quiet of the pandemic-stricken city. They began using a lower register — a more seductive trill — that hadn’t been recorded locally since the 1950s.” 

Birds’ singing sounds are as natural in the natural world; however, why do humans sing? I googled the two questions. Surprisingly, there were ten websites (the same number as for birds) that listed the reasons. I liked one titled, “5 Reasons Why People Who Sing Are Happier, Healthier And Live Longer (Regardless Of How Well They Sing)”. The most appealing reason for me was, “They will live longer” and “They have better posture and look younger”. So if I am planning to live a long and happy life, I should consider learning how to sing. Unfortunately, I do not have a good ear. Oh well, one cannot be good at everything.

You might have heard the saying, “I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet”. Online I learned that this quote is attributed to both Hellen Keller and Mahatma Gandhi.

The coronavirus has created an environment, where most of us cannot enjoy our lives to their full extent. Everyone is waiting for the “miraculous” vaccine to return our lives to “normal”. Unfortunately, we cannot meet our new granddaughter for that reason. But why should we stop feeling that we are alive? We still can enjoy many things we were accustomed to. We cannot travel to Europe, but we can go to Hawaii and Mexico after testing negative for the coronavirus. Some of our friends have rented homes in Oregon and resort areas in California. Next week we are going to our favorite place for four days – The Sea Ranch (a story will follow). After we received the phone call from Tatyana, I asked my wife Elfa to start making reservations for next year’s travels. One of the ways to feel alive, is to celebrate life. Today, Friday, December 11^th, is the first day of the Jewish holiday, Hanukkah. It is called the Holiday of Lights and commemorates events which took place in 140 BCE. We are celebrating it together with our daughter Alona and her boyfriend Jeff, who specially came from Southern California. It is going to be the first celebration for our granddaughter, who together with her Mom, Tamar and Dad, David will join us through Zoom.

Let’s count our blessings and let light into our lives.

Perhaps this was a coincidence; however, when Netflix released the new season of The Crown on Sunday, I read in the November 2020 issue of AARP The Magazine, the 10 rules of the world’s largest reigning monarch, who turned 94 on April 21^st (though her official birthday is on June 13, because on that day the weather is better for an outdoor celebration).

5. Sweeten the self-talk. Elizabeth II observed “The trouble with gloom is that it feeds upon itself”.
6. Brush aside vanity. Self-distancing is an ability to be an amused spectator. 
7. Never stop playing. Activity will keep your muscles and mind agile, thanks to play’s unique ability to suspend the brain in a youthful, flexible state.
8. Keep the faith. Regardless of the worries the world throws, there is a higher throne on which to lay them.

The history of the celebration of Thanksgiving goes back to 1621. However only in 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November. We usually associate the holiday with family gatherings to share the turkey dinner and the Black Friday shopping the next day. Years ago, I specially visited downtown to photograph the shoulder to shoulder crowds in front of the Macy’s store. I did not go there this year, but I suspect today there are no crowds. And I think that some families are concerned to get together for the celebration, because of the Coronavirus. Then what is left from the holiday? I believe what started it in the first place, the attitude of gratitude. When I Googled the phrase, I found an article which appeared on May 10, 2019 at goodjobpal.com titled, “Why attitude of gratitude makes you happier and the science behind it.” In the article it was defined as: “An attitude of gratitude means making it a habit to express thankfulness and appreciation in all parts of your life, on a regular basis, for both the big and small things alike.”

As a part of my expression of gratitude to you, I produced a new 2021 art calendar; a tradition I started last year. I am going to mail it to my clients for whom I helped to get mortgages in the last three years. I hope you are one of them. If I helped you before 2018, and you would like to get one (you can see the photo images at mannykagan.smugmug.com), please let me know, and I will gladly send you one, as long as supplies last.