Diana French
French Connection
2024, here we come. One thing for sure, this will be another eventful year. Barring the outbreak of World War 111, the USA elections could have a big impact on us should ex-president Donald Trump get elected. B.C. will have a general election in October, Canada could have one but probably won’t, a federal election isn’t mandatory until 2025. That gives Justin Trudeau time to mend fences and Pierre Poilievre time to decide who he is.
There’s no reason to believe 2023’s woes will disappear. Unless there are some miracles (always possible, although unlikely) thousands of innocent people will continue to be killed or damaged in wars, shot or stabbed in civil incidents, dead from drugs, or even killed by cantaloupes.
Then there’s climate change. Surveys say most Canadians believe the climate is changing but we don’t want to alter our lifestyles or pay for dealing with it.
It isn’t all bad news. So far, those of us lucky to be living in the Cariboo Chilcotin have been spared major catastrophes, let’s hope it stays that way.
•••
You’re never too old to learn something different. I’ve never agreed with the saying “It is more blessed to give than to receive” because, if you’re the giver, you feel good about yourself, you’re earning the brownie points. If you’re on the receiving end, it can be a downer. As I age, it’s more get than give for me. I’m uncomfortable with it, but recently I was given different point of view - that by being the helpee instead of the helper, I’m giving someone the opportunity to be a giver, and to feel good about themselves.
My situation isn’t going to change so I’ll look at it that way from now on.
Diana French is a former editor of the Efteen.
