On this last day of 2009, I’m reading people’s comments on Facebook today and while I could be considered someone who lives more on the sunnier side of life, I am admittedly a bit taken aback by how nearly vitriolic people are about wanting to get 2009 gone. NPR posted something about “What’s one word you would use to describe 2009?” and really, you’d describe the entire year as shitty, awful, and craptastic? All 365 days?

It’s not like I had the rosiest year either — I had a business deal fall through that is costing me either $35,000 or $17,000 depending on if the other person finally coughs up their part (after running the entire bill up, but never mind that small detail). My last grandparent, my completely awesome German grandmother, died. I’ve had a falling out with a family member because, silly me, I think respect should go two ways. On the other hand, if you asked me 5 things I’m grateful for, it would take me about 5 seconds to come up with them. My business finished on an upswing. We’ve expanded and are hiring. We’ve made huge strides professionally (I’ve been published 3 times now, and we were accepted to speak at two national conferences). Our health is good. We can still pay our bills.

So I can’t figure out if, when people describe an entire year like they are, it’s just because most people are so trained to always see what’s wrong with things. You try it — mention the weather and watch people describe how it’s either too cold, too hot, too dry, too wet, or the nice weather will be over too soon. People seem unable to see what’s actually working in their lives, and what’s actually good. I wrote a post about this exact topic a while back.

Of course, it’s just ridiculous to even try to do something as stupid as describing a whole year with one word. Now, if you just dealt with a few specifics like “work” or “relationships” or “how I feel waking up in the morning” — that would be a different thing. Although even then, you can always find something, like “At least I HAVE a job.” or “At least I got fired from a job I hated, but now I’m getting unemployment!” or “At least I’m still waking up every day!”.

Like I said, it’s not like I’m some cheery optimist, glossing over facts just to see the bright side. But it’s too easy to be “agreeing” with everyone else about how crappy everything is, and it’s just not completely true.

So, with that thought, I won’t wish a Happy New Year to people, because one word isn’t enough. What I’ll wish are that you are fulfilled, excited, satisfied, and healthy. I wish that you have peace in your life. I wish that whatever downturns you have, they are brief. I wish that, if someone in your life passes, you are complete with them. I wish that you have a community of neighbors and friends and family who will support you and you them.

I wish that we all knew the blessings we have.