Notes from Perry Street: Bringing in the New Year was ‘No Fun’

By JOHN A. WINTERS, Publisher

I awoke on the last day of 2023 around 1 p.m.

I know this because it was much brighter than usual and squinting at my watch showed it to be 12:57 p.m exactly. So, close enough. I have never slept in that much since … forever.

At least I was in my own bed, where I had spent pretty much every day since Dec. 28. That included Dec. 29, which was my birthday for those wanting to send belated cash and well-wishes, or at least make a note for next year. 

I had, for lack of a better term, that “thing” you would not wish on your worst enemy, as the saying goes. Flu, respiratory whatever, who knows but I had it.

And I would not wish it on my worst enemy, I hope I don’t have a worst enemy, but there are some people up in Washington, D.C. who I think might need to just go home and rest for a while.

My inability to do much more than breathe, and that at a much lower level than normal, gave me time to think. Interesting things can happen when you give a writer time to think. And so with a new year …

Back to those in Washington, D.C. I am beyond tired of any politician saying they are speaking for the American people, or what the American people want is (fill in the blank). I am tired of Democrats and Republicans blaming the other side for, well, everything. 

There is a hatred that I find demoralizing, shameful and of no use to running this great country. Grow up and work things out regardless of what political label you wear. 

Enough on politics.

I hope we learn to say “no” when, well, we really don’t want to do something, we have no intentions of doing whatever is at issue, and we won’t show up anyway. 

There is nothing wrong with saying you don’t want to do something. You are not required to give a reason. I wasted too much time in 2023 because people just wouldn’t say “not interested, no thanks, not at this time …”

The concept of setting up a meeting with someone – for whatever reason – and then they just don’t show up is a concept I just don’t understand. And then being ghosted when you follow up to make sure they are okay takes the prize of, well, just being rude.

I just don’t get it.

I do know, however, my 2024 goal is to be more intentional. That my “yes” is a “yes,” and my “no,” is simply that. Tied to that, I want to stop worrying about all the “small stuff.” Baring a life-threatening experience, a lot of what we face in this country is small stuff compared to what is going on in the Middle East or the Ukraine. 

I want to prioritize and focus on separating “urgent,” “immediate,” or “someday,” and/or is this a simple “no?”

Growing up, my three brothers and I would always ask our dad what he wanted for Christmas or his birthday. His answer was always the same …

“Peace … just peace.”

On behalf of everyone here at Winters Media, we wish you peace and the freedom to say “no.”