… “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
2021 has again been a tumultuous year for most of us. As the eve winds down, we are given to considering everything that has taken place.
Perhaps we have new challenges, perhaps our center is askew, perhaps our faith holds a new perspective, or perhaps our exhaustion weighs heavy as we rush turning to the next chapter…. hoping, praying for a better tomorrow.
It is easy to lose our sense of optimism. Retaining a joyful perspective while everything around us seems mad isn’t easy. However, if you accept that you can create something just a little bit better by making a choice, then you have accomplished a great deal. Regardless of what tomorrow brings, we always have choices. A new year’s perspective:
I have long felt that life is like a series of links in a chain. You might be driving down the road and you hear a song on the radio, or see a picture, and you feel a memory….
Something triggers within you that reminds of a different time and place than where you are right now.
You reflect.
The memories you consider remind you of a totally different time in your life.
Perhaps you lived in a different place. Perhaps you were surrounded by different people. Perhaps a different job or completely different friends. You recognize those memories were constructed like frozen moments in time. They became individual links in the chain in your life.
We never actually realize, in the immediate moment, when one link closes and another link begins. But when we look back, we can clearly see distinct points where things changed, the link closed, and a new link began.
You see, the links are only visible in reflection.
As we reflect, we find parts of the chain in our life where each link closes and connects with the other. A beginning, and an end. At the point where the links are joined, we carry parts of the previous link forward to the next.
For many people those connections are bonded by family, or very strong lifelong relationships. Connections which continue beyond our geographic moments, jobs or temporary acquaintances.
But for everyone, the primary bonding agent brought forward from one link to the next is us, our center, our values and core principles. Our beliefs.
The strength of the steel which comprises the links of our life is forged in the fire of adversity, weakness, challenge, pain, loss, and painful growth. The steel is then cooled with the tears of triumph, hurdles overcome and resolve.
The forging makes the steel stronger and able to withstand the pressures that accompany the additional length. Slowly the chain becomes wiser as it lengthens. Able to reach further, form more significant benefits and become more useful.
Hope replaces fear. Love replaces loneliness. Success replaces adversity. These are successful links began and finished while contributing to the whole.
At times we may manipulate the links with avoidance. We hide from -or choose to avoid- an issue in our effort to begin a new link before the old one was naturally, and spiritually, prepared to be closed.
Eventually, as life continues and the chain lengthens, the weak link can fracture, and we are forced to revisit/repair what we originally chose to avoid.
You see, in life we cannot control the universal laws that guide us. So, if we manipulate circumstances to avoid confronting our own weakness, we cannot fully strengthen our life of links. Eventually, the weakness of our past will impact our future.
So, what principles do we carry from link to link? What core values and beliefs stay with us throughout the journey of our lives? The answers to these questions are what makes us human spiritual beings.
We possess freewill able to make choices about what we do, and how we define our individual humanity; but can we then define ’right’ and ‘wrong’ according to our individual principles? Or are there principles that exceed our influence and definition?
Are there natural laws of right and wrong, good and bad, that cannot be subjected to the determination of man?
These are the bigger questions, perhaps the more important questions; and yet, perhaps the ones we reflect upon the least.
Consider the example of the ‘Law of the farm’ vs. the ‘Law of the School’. Natural principles vs. those made by man.
A student can skip class, take few notes, pay only half attention, then stay up all night cramming for a test and manage a decent grade. It depends on the student’s goal: grades or learning.
The student can choose to manipulate the education, by avoiding the learning and capturing the grade. This is possible in the ‘Law of the School’.
However, a farmer cannot take short cuts. A farmer cannot avoid tending to the soil, preparing the seed, fertilizing and nurturing the crop, and still gain the benefit of an abundant harvest.
The farmer must necessarily do all of the appropriate work in order to benefit from it. Such is the ‘Law of the Farm’, the natural law.
When one considers the weakness remaining within a poorly constructed and manipulated link, perhaps established by selfish choices and driven by avoidance and fear, one can be faithfully assured those who have dealt dishonestly with us will have to visit the issues of their association again.
Conversely, no amount of manipulation or avoidance on our own behalf is going to improve the frailty of any link without first resolving the lack of character which created the weakness.
So, we have choices in our lives. Decisions we each make regarding how we interact and participate in the lives and links of others, as well as how we choose to construct the links that comprise our own lives.
Do we base our sense of purpose around natural principles? Principles based on natural laws of right and wrong, good and bad, truth and lies. Do we forge strong links by following our heart, our values?
If we can interact with others absent of a prideful self-driven agenda, or manipulative intent, we can then apply such principles and strength to our endeavors.
If we protect the integrity of the soil upon which we build the foundation of our lives, we can live without regret.
If we fertilize and cherish our crop, and the crop of our neighbor, with honesty and sincere appreciation for the souls we meet along our chosen path, we will live a life of abundance.
If we tend carefully to the consideration of everyone, yet holding true to our values and principles, we can strengthen ourselves amid the face of adversity and disenchantment.
If we do not hide from, nor ignore our individual and collective faults, we can build the chain of our life with strength, humility, and purpose.
I wish for each of you a long chain of bold, strong, beautiful links, polished with the reflective brilliance of Love, and the very happiest of blessings for a brand-New Year.
Abiding love to all.
Steadfast,
~ Sundance
…Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
2022 will be the last year with 3 numbers the same for the following 88 years, God bless if you make it to 2111. Those of us at least 22 years old as of today will be living through their third one. Living in 2 millennia is this privilege (or the 1110s).
2022, I hope is the year of the grander awakening, the year of the sharper eye as to what is going on and clever action.
Doing a face palm with a lit cigarette would be the “too-shay”.
Thank you, Sundance, and all the commenters here in the Treehouse. May Good bless you all and give you peace, strength, courage and wisdom.
Well done SD, God Bless you and your family and Happy New Year!
May all good things come to all who read here.
I begin a new link back home in Florida this new year, leaving Washington, Oregon, and Nevada behind on the past 25 years of chain. Our gracious Lord has provided me with a new heart, and a new spirit, of molten steel ready for the forge, tongs, and hammer. Thank you, Sundance and crew, and everyone who has found this place of refuge and sanity in the storm all around us.
May God bless and keep us always, may our wishes all come true, may you always do for others, and may others do for you. May we build a ladder to the stars, climb on every rung, and may we all stay, forever young… ( thank you, Bob).
I have found that you can indeed go home again.
jeff
Happy New Year 2022 to all treepers, and especially Sundance, Menagerie & Adrems. This is my fave site— a garden of reason & truth telling. May God get us all out of the Covid madness.
Happy New Year to Sundance, Ad Rem and the entire crew who put together this amazing site.
And best wishes to my fellow Treepers who often feel closer than my own “real” family.
Throughout all the troubles we have endured together, this place has truly been our Last Refuge.
I have faith that we can accomplish great things in the coming year. If God is for us, then who can stand against us?
MAGA 2022!
I always enjoy your comments. Happy New Year Seneca.
Thank you, for your wise words!
Mega dittoes Seneca! Happy New Year to all!
A healthy and happy new year to you Seneca..
GB
Happy New Year to you Seneca…I always look for your posts and I’m rewarded every time I read them….Jeem
You sir, are a national treasure.
Many blessings to you and yours Sundance. The Treehouse has been a place of refuge for me for many years, a place where I can get away from the rubbish and read truth with a heaping dose of common sense added. My deepest thanks for all your hard work .
Thanks for your insight Sundance, our faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and finding this site and its like minded, gifted writers has brought me and my family confidence and real hope for the New Year. Bless you .
Eloquent, thoughtful, altogether lovely. Thank you, Sundance for all you have been doing for so many years. You have helped me to stay straight and steady amidst the sadly needless storm and madness. May this be a wonderful year for us all. God bless us every one.
WOW, brother. just WOW.Such a great perspective on this life we experience. Thank you for all you do.
Happy New Year to all!
Looks like Alaska and Alaskan ground squirrel. Brooks Range? Gates of The Arctic? Arctic Wildlife Refuge?
Beautiful Sundance thank you for a very informative year. This has certainly been a year of loss and sadness for myself and my family. Many family and friends I have known and loved for years are now on another journey. God has called them home to be a part of his army of angels. I want for you, your family and all posters on this site a year filled with growth, wisdom, happiness, joy , prosperity and freedom. Love to you all.
OLÉ !
🤣
Oh, that’s perfect!!
HA!
Happy New Year!
“God. Grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change. Strength to change the things I can and the Wisdom to know the difference”.
“Grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change.
The courage to change direction when I see them coming.
And the wisdom to not try to smack some sense into them when I can’t avoid them.”
–reposted with thanks to Steve Hayward and Powerline
Five years ago, can’t remember how, I fell into The Conservative Treehouse. Every day, I digest my Sundance breakfast. (Sundance cereal? might be a goer?)
To be steady and true, it sure helps to have the insight of what is going on in the world. So thank you Sundance.
Love the chain analogy.
May God lead us back from the abyss, as tonight, hope’s light is still flickering.
Blessings to all the treepers and their loved ones,
-YM
My friends are always amazed that I’m two steps ahead of them in the goings on around the world. Thanks Sundance and Treepers and Happy New Year.
Happy New Year , Treepers !
Lets get the bastards !
Make Nuremburg Code Great Again !
Beautifully written Sundance. Thank you.
God bless and Happy New Year to you, your family and all of the wonderful treepers.
Happy New Year and may God bless all of you awesome Treepers!
Thank you so much, most awesome article of 2021.
In So Cal. If I can do it, you can do it.
I lost many people this year, best friends, my Rush………. That was really tough,
my mentor died.
Then in November my mom died. So, 2021 can kiss my arse.
Lets take our country back.
I am so sorry for your losses, particularly your mom. I also have had a lot of losses since covid. I am grateful to come here as the last refuge. It truly is. Hang in there. God always brings people into our lives when most needed. May 2022 hold many blessings for you.
Thank you friend.
my deepest condolences, MC.
my chain has also been fractured.
i will never get back the link that i miss so dearly.
to all those who regret losing the year in which you last had your loved ones, i wish you peace and healing.
may the memories of those now gone bring you comfort and the will to continue on, as they most surely would want you to.
happy new year.
Thank you so much for your kind words. May you have a happy 2022 with those you love.
Happy New Year to all.
Thank you Sundance for this lovely post.
Why I come here – Truth is here, and Truth Has No Agenda.
I expect a tumultuous year, so am buckled up and prepped. Tumultuous does not mean miserable. Going forward in Joy!
Happy New Year!
Ready or not morning, here we come.
This song was introduced in early 1943.
That was right smack in the middle of WWII.
It was a pure MAGA song, not a poor-pitiful-pearl’s dreary tune.
“Oh, What a Beautiful Morning”
Oklahoma. That was my father’s favorite movie. Thank you!
I still sing “The corn is as high as and elephant’s eye”, “there’s a bright yellow haze on the meadow”, and even “I’m just a girl who cain’t say no” to myself off and on throughout most days…
Thank you for sharing. My daddy was a WWII vet in the South Pacific on an aircraft carrier. He loved God, his family, and America so much. He was a patriot and a happy warrior. He used to sing this song all the time and as kids, we thought he was goofy. Upon reflection, he was full of joy despite any circumstances and wanted the same for his children. The last two years, I’ve failed miserably at the lessons my father taught me. Lord help me to live life to the fullest and remember You are still on the throne and no matter come what may, we can always choose joy! Happy New Year Treepers and to Sundance and those who keep this place a Refuge. May 2022 be the turning point.
I have Hope because, quite frankly (not including the government covid tyranny), the country is not on the verge of flying apart.
Anyone that lived thru the 60’s race riots and Viet Nam war would know that we are better off now.
Remember, FDR tried some horrendous policies during the depression and most were beaten back by the courts and citizenry.
We had Prohibition for 13 years.
We had Tammany Hall and gangs running NYC, Miami, Chicago, Las Vegas.
ObamaCare fell on its face.
We had three political assassinations in the 60’s.
Voting has always been a corrupt undertaking. I mean look at districting for gawds sake.
Anyway, stop listening to Tucker Carlson and you will feel a lot better. #RejectBatteredConservativeSyndrome
A Happy New Year to you and yours, Sundance… truly from the bottom of my heart.
Praying that a merciful God will somehow spare the health of our kids & grandkids, who have tragically all received the jab.
And continued prayers for all families of good will across our land.
Happy New Year brothers and sisters. Best to all of you.
“I wish for each of you a long chain of bold, strong, beautiful links, polished with the reflective brilliance of Love, and the very happiest of blessings for a brand-New Year.”
You (and yours) too brother!
Praying the SCOTUS says no to OSHA.
Thank you Sundance. Your words, like cool water flow, onto a parched and thirsty land.
Stay the course, whatever it takes.
Beautiful reply!!
Beautifully written! Thank you for your insight and guidance during the past year. I look forward to reading each and every email I receive from you. God Bless and Happy 2022 Sundance.
Looking forward to another year of Suspicious Cat Memes
Thank you for the links of thought and treasure!! Happy New Year!
A good link had no regrets. Thank you for this beautiful family of branches
May God guide each in the pathway meant for us, protect us on our ways and give wisdom and understanding in all.
Thank you Sundance, AdRem, Menagerie, WeeWeed and all for your dedicated service to helping us find our way in this confusion. May God shower you with His favor.
Thank You Sundance and all my favorite Treepers. I am crying when i write this post. I called my sister tonight who lives in NJ. I told her that my Sister-In -Law who lives in a subuab of Chicago cannot go to any bars, restaurants, gyms. My Sister told me that her and her husband where jabbed twice and boosted. I told her that this is Germany on Steroids. She was so proud of getting the jab. She said that she did not care. She laughed at me. I hung up . I cried. God Bless All of You
I (we) hear you. Family and friends that could be dead in 15 months and they laugh at us.
Bizarro world…..
Dawn,
May God bless you too. I am sorry for you, and even for your sister. As Stephen King once wrote, “If there’s anything more foolish than a New Yorker, it’s a fellow from New Jersey.” She just proved the truth of that statement yet again.
I would counsel you to remember a very helpful principle when it comes to toxic people: ADDITION BY SUBTRACTION. You aren’t forced by any law to talk to her. If she’s as foolish as she sounds, I suspect your life would be considerably improved without her presence in it. Of course, the jab may take her out anyway, but I think you would be wise to just avoid all contact with her until she comes to a valid understanding of reality. Stupid and/or crazy people are always wearing to the soul and to the spirit, and are best avoided when at all possible.
Many thanks to Sundance and the entire team here. Wishing you all and your families, along with all Treepers, a new year filled with renewed hope, a revitalized nation and victories over those trying to destroy us.
I think this speaks for us all.
Thank you, Sundance
To my fellow treepers, Happy New Year!!! Hope you and your families are blessed with endless happiness and good fortune, in 2022.
2022 will be known the year Americans took their Country back.
May your casket be made with best wood of the 100 year old tree I will plant tomorrow.
Happy New Year to you, Sundance and thanks for giving us this forum to share and vent.
Your writings and reflections are amazing and uplifting.
God bless you!
Thank you, Sundance, you rock!
Happy New year, Treeper family!
God bless you, friend Sundance, for keeping us in real balance and on the path of choice!