Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

I’ve been reflecting on 2014 as I decide what I want to carry with me into the future. With just four days of 2015 under my belt, there’s still time to give it some consideration. Resolutions aren’t limited to creating a new and improved you – they can also offer us a chance to reflect on how the current version of us fits into our lives, the things that work, the connections we’ve established and maintain.

It is more than gratitude – it is a conscious choice to revisit our relationships, our boundaries and the risks we are willing to take.

Auld Lang Syne is a new year tradition, the Scottish ode to days gone by as well as the days yet to come. I particularly like the final verse of the original song, a verse where old friends clasp hands and allow the goodwill they’ve accrued to guide them in the coming days.

Have you ever done that – stopped to consider the way good-will or a cup of kindness impact your interaction with other people? It isn’t just the past that tides us over, it is the conscious decision today to engage with someone – to give them the benefit of the doubt, or not – that is tied up with our welfare. Benefit of the doubt isn’t the same thing as allowing someone to abuse or harass you – it is that space of forgiveness and kindness and compassion that is part of our resiliency as members of the community. It also extends to ourselves, to allowing ourselves to make mistakes and being compassionate to the hurts we experience internally.

This has been weighing on my heart as I explore how I am an ally and how I fall short. It has been on my mind as I reflect on the “Pgh Saves Xmas” project and as I wrap up a gig with a local organization. I’m establishing new relationships and alliances and partnerships. I have several “coffees” set up, but I want to be mindful of how I forge the next stage in the relationship. In all of these relationships, I want to allow for kindness even when there is resentment, anger, hurt and frustration.

So this is my first day of conscious kindness.

And there’s a hand, my trusty friend!
And give us a hand of yours!
And we’ll take a deep draught of good-will
For long, long ago.

Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne.

Chorus

For auld lang syne, my jo,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne,

And surely ye’ll be your pint-stowp!
And surely I’ll be mine!
And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

Chorus

We twa hae run about the braes
And pu’d the gowans fine;
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary foot
Sin auld lang syne.

(We two have run about the hills
And pulled the daisies fine;
But we’ve wandered manys the weary foot
Since long, long ago.)

Chorus

We twa hae paidl’d i’ the burn,
Frae mornin’ sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
Sin auld lang syne.

(We two have paddled in the stream,
From morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared
Since long, long ago.)

Chorus

And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere!
And gie’s a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll tak a right guid willy waught,
For auld lang syne.

(And there’s a hand, my trusty friend!
And give us a hand of yours!
And we’ll take a deep draught of good-will
For long, long ago.)