The new year is almost upon us. 2023. Holy shit. It was just 2020 a few years ago. And before that it was just 1989. At least for me. Maybe some of you weren’t born yet. But 1989 seems almost yesterday. So does 1985. When Bruce Springsteen went on a massive stadium tour in support of his Born in the U.S.A. album. I didn’t go see him. Sorry. I missed out. I was a stone-cold “Deadhead” and not quite into “The Bruce” yet.

Now I’m definitely a Brucehead, I love Bruce Springsteen. Still love the Dead as well. Saw the Dead over 80 times.

(And of course, we both share the same first name. Not too many Bruce's in the world. I might as well be associated with one of the finest…)

But in 1985 Bruce was riding high on that album (Born in the U.S.A.) and people were going crazy for him. I think he was on the cover of People Magazine as well.

So the years just roll on by…

Anyway, it’s almost 2023 and what happened to basic civility? I mean I go on the social channels and read some of the comments and banter in the comment sections under (or below) the posts and I’m quite amazed at the way we bipeds with a brain and 2 eyes and ½ a heart (sometimes) talk to each other. Complete strangers throwing each other under the proverbial bus like it was no big deal.

Well, people, it IS a big deal. It’s almost 2023. We’ve all gone to school and learned how to be good students and do our homework and get good grades, clean up our dishes and make our beds and say good night to our parents. We all know how to drive in the right lane on the road. But damn if we don’t blow it all to hell when we start chatting and conversating with each other on social media.

It's the Wild West times 10.

I don’t need to pontificate or elaborate any further. You can all read for yourselves. And I’m sure someone will post some snarky comment on this post. That’s fine. As long as someone is reading my blog, I’m cool. I can take the heat.

I know it’s all just random dots on a screen.

But maybe we can all roll into 2023 with a tad more civility under our belts and hats and hearts.

Be a little nicer. We’re all on this ride together. The penguins and polar bears are barely hanging on to what little scraps of ice they have left in those polar regions. There’s probably not too many tigers or lions left. And the toucans in the jungle are getting eaten by something or other.

And I’ve gone off the rails now and must rein myself back in with more meditation, affirmations and another hot cup of joe.

Happy new year. Or almost…