Hello, Greetings and Salutations. Happy Abraham Lincoln (12th), Susan B Anthony (15th), George Washington (22nd), and (belatedly) Punxsutawney Phil (2nd) Day(s)! I suggest February holidays are underappreciated. Think about it. Nobody comes to your house, expects a present, requires a grandiose meal, or sings songs that put you on edge.
February 5th was also my father’s birthday. About 50 years ago, I mailed my mother a birthday card on Dad’s birthday. Further evidence that (a) I once was, and still remain, a dope, and (b) needing a written reminder is not new in my life. It is probably not new in yours either, it is just more of an opportunity to worry about things out of our control.
A strange thing happens in my world each year on or around the first of February: Christmas goes from being a week in the past to being a distant, fading memory.
And so, here I find myself at such a juncture yet again. Given the flurry of activity in January in the investment business, February sometimes gives me a chance to draw a breath and look around to take stock. Fortunately, we Floridians don’t have to spend each morning shoveling the driveway to get to work, nor do we have to mow the lawn every 48 hours or evacuate in advance of coming hurricanes. Our Wisconsin friends Jim & Mrs. Jim used to spend every February in Fort Lauderdale. Jim liked to tell people, “I know the weather in Florida in February can be iffy, but there is nothing iffy about the weather in Wisconsin in February.” A good point that.
In February, I often think about my New Year’s resolutions that were likely made without enough thought either before or after being cast in something less permanent than stone—maybe sandstone, but probably ether. I think you know I insist that every minute of every day can be considered the turning of a new year. Every step along the way of life we have the opportunity to choose the path we take. This is not to suggest that we have full control over our fate. Heavens no, I am Presbyterian, remember? But let’s not go too far down that road. I will make your eyes glaze over (again), and it’s only February.
But when you think about it, we constantly have the opportunity to choose.
This, of course, is like Monk used to say, “It’s a blessing … and a curse.” Opportunities can be exciting for those of us who see the potential and paralyzing for those who see the peril. And there we go with another one of those darn choices I am harping on today. Whether to embrace the challenge, or to recoil in fear.
Since February is my second opportunity for New Year’s resolutions each calendar year, I usually try to think about those resolutions a bit more deeply than I did in the blur that was Thanksgiving to Christmas.
I keep telling people that ask about my plan for retirement, that I am planning to spend another eight years at my desk – no promises there, but that’s the plan. Obviously, if I plan to work until age 75, I need to take (better) care of my health, both physical and mental. We all know what we need to do for our physical health: exercise & diet. I’ll also add: follow the doctor’s recommendations. You won’t be overly surprised to know I’m peeved by the idea of paying for advice only to ignore that very advice.
And part 2 of good health journey, which is what this month’s blog is allegedly all about, is to take better care of my mental health. Maybe that sounds too ominous. If so, you can substitute “take better care of my mood and outlook.”
Since I am not the primary caregiver for anyone, older or younger, during this window in my life, I am resolved to do a few things on a more regular basis: I will read more: educational, spiritual, and light fiction for fun.
I plan to spend more time with God. Think about it for a minute, please. If we believe in an almighty divine being, and that being has invited us into a relationship, but we can’t get around to it because we have “higher” priorities, is there something off in our understanding of our own belief system?
If you think this is so much poppycock and you don’t have a belief in God or a god, you still need to stop for a minute and think about it. Everyone has a belief system. Those who say they don’t are either in denial or just plain stupid. We all need to spend time thinking and reflecting on those beliefs. If necessary, adjust accordingly. A fellow ought to know what he, or she, believes in.
And finally, a key mental health prescription for me, and an essential ingredient for meeting my 8-year working goal is to not let the less than 1% of people I come into contact with each day wear me out.
I encourage you to do the same. As the saying goes, “Don’t let the [illegitimate offspring of egg-stealing vermin] get you down. There are too many friends to celebrate to let that happen.
Postscript: My daughter Catherine stumped me recently with a word. “Petrichor”. I didn’t know the word, but I sure do love me some petrichor! After you look it up, try to work it into as many conversations as possible to irritate the less informed!
February 2025
