New Year Sentiments: The Power of Poison
“When you get bit by a snake, you have to suck out all the poison, that’s what I had to do, suck all the poison out of my life
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The quote above comes from Mark Waters 2004 teen comedy, Mean Girls, and references the main character's attempt to right her wrongs and make peace with her family, friends, and classmates. By 'sucking the poison' out of the snake bite that has become her life, Cady ensures that the traumatic school year comes to a peaceful close after months of chaos.
As the second decade of the millennium has concluded, I can't help but think about what poison needs to be removed from my life, so that I can live better in 2021. The thing about poison is that it kills you slowly, breaking down your nervous and/or circulatory system. Some of us (myself included) have tried to live on, pretending the poison in our lives doesn't exist. We try to compromise with the feeling of discomfort as it slowly decimates our bodies.
What this year has shown me, is that there is no ignoring poison in your life. There is no compromising venom, because the longer you wait, the more dire its effects will be. Some of them irreversible. And though I can't say any of the poison in my life has proven to be life threatening this past year, it has proven itself to be life altering.
The poison that has taken up residence in my body comes from various places. It comes from the words of people, that I've negligently allowed in my space. It comes from the fears I've allowed to fill my mind, and it comes from the actions of others that I have repeatedly made excuses for. Sucking the poison out of a snake bite sounds almost as scary as getting bit by the snake itself. But, if it means a chance at a calmer, healthier, and stress free life... it's definitely worth a shot.
2020 has been poisonous for a lot of people in a lot of ways, and as cliché as it sounds, I desperately want 2021 to be better for all of us. It's by no coincidence that many of us that would have normally be partied our way into the new year, spent it alone. Because of this, I believe that now is as good a time as ever to reflect on how we can live healthier, happier lives in the year to come. Poison free.
I'm actively taking steps to remove 2020's venom from my body, negating my fears and removing that which hinders my growth and progress. I'm leading with love as I enter, and depart. I'm sucking all the poison out of 2020's snake bite, and I encourage you to do the same.
Happy New Year and sorry for the delay!!
TC
