On the eve of the new year, I found myself sauntering to Wrecking Ball Coffee in The City this morning and instead of my usual almond milk latte, I went with what the guy in front of me ordered – a large English breakfast tea with oat milk.

“Can I have what he ordered?” I said, pointing to the guy that has exponentially more experience in ordering large English Breakfast teas with oat milk than I do.

Sip.
It was as delicious and comforting as it sounds.
Sip.

My day beyond this was as simple as I wanted it to be – work a little, go for a run, clean the house, water the plants, pick up Pad Thai noodles from my favorite Thai place that reminds me of a hidden restaurant through a skinny side street in Bangkok.

Keeping it simple remains my goal and mantra (the pandemic has definitely raised the ante here) and in the last some odd years I’ve become less of a new year’s person and more of the  day-to-day type.  But I’m still a numbers person, so the significance of spending 365 (sometimes 366) days orbiting the sun hasn’t escaped me.  It’s a nice reminder that good things are worth the wait.  I know we’ve all had our own roller coaster rides this year, I’m sure that some carts felt like they flew completely off the tracks at times.  But I do believe we all have a lot to look forward to – maybe as soon as tomorrow, or next week.  Some will be a few months, or several.  But it’s there in front of us, whether we see it or not.

That word – forward.  Hell, you might be sick of hearing or reading it, there’s been days I’ve grown fatigued of it myself.  But if *a better tomorrow had a door, the word “forward” would be the sign on it.  Lateral movements aren’t always bad, either.  In fact, I don’t see them in a negative light at all.  Lateral steps gives us different vantage points and angles, giving us clearer, fulfilling and more efficient pathways for what’s ahead.  Life is never a straight line.

Taking a step back only proves we’re human.  We’re allowed to gather ourselves, take a breath, and take another chance.  It’s life’s greatest magic trick without the smoke, mirrors, or special adhesives on a deck of cards (I should know, I’ve purchased some).  Each step in any direction holds a careful lesson.  Simplicity means movement, and I do believe in staying on the move.

Stagnancy is not an option.

With each sip of my large English Breakfast tea with oak milk, I continued to ponder one of the greatest unsolved mysteries that has stumped generations before mine – is Bigfoot real?

Sip.
Why are the existing photos of Bigfoot all blurry?

Sip.
What if he’s naturally an out-of-focus monster, hence the bad photos?

Sip.
That makes him **extra scary to me.

Empty.
Time for another cup.
— – —-

*A Better Tomorrow (1986) is also a phenomenal John Woo film starring Chow Yun-Fat.  Please go see it.
**Strategic Grill Locations (1999) is a comedy show/album by Mitch Hedberg.  Please go listen to it.