2016 has been a year of much tragedy, ugliness and extremes:
On the negative side, there’s been a lot of worries about my loved ones, illness and depression around me, bad situations that I can’t fix, death of idols and loved ones, political frustration over 
extremism, xenophobia, Bre
xit, Trump (and what all this comes with for us), and grave concerns about the course humanity and societies are taking.
On the plus side, however, I grew some fantastic new roots in my adapted home in Wales, joined the LibDems as a party I can fully relate to, made great progress in the book world, started playing football and got permanent residency in the UK.
This week, as we’re looking back at the year behind us, the worries are taking over my mind again. What can I do? How can I change the world to become a nicer place, get people to regain their trust in others, open their hearts and reach out, be generous and kind and accepting?
The answer is: I don’t know, and my confidence that 2017 is going to better than 2016 is low at best.
So, looking back at 2016 in anger and to 2017 with a heavy heart, I do the only thing I can do: Feel the fear and carry on regardless. I will continue to hope, dream, campaign, argue and fight for a better future and do the best I can. Not give up.
In worrying times the best soothing for the soul is always laughter and a song.
So let me end this year’s blog activity with a soul soothing Soul Cha Cha – a song and dance that always makes me smile. Here’s to the future! See you next year with more of the same and an unbroken spirit! One, two, Cha cha cha, three, four cha cha cha…!
Hoping 2017 turns out to better then we both expect and hoping the same for your family members~
Thanks Cindy. All the Best to you and your loved ones ❤
Well-written, Christoph. All we can do is live our lives for ourselves, do what we can for others, take time to laugh, and carry on…I hope your 2017 is a fruitful one.
Thanks Alice. All the Best to you and your loved ones ❤
There’s no denying it’s been a horrible year. I’m not very hopeful either but I’ll join in the dance. To 2017!
Thanks, glad to have you do the cha cha with me ❤
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“In worrying times the best soothing for the soul is always laughter and a song.” Yes! Thanks for sharing these thoughts – and the cha cha! Happy new year and happy travels on your adventures!
Thanks, and the same to you! ❤
Congratulation on all the good things that have happened to you this past year! Like you, I’ve experienced many good things this year, while all sorts of tragedies have unfolded all around the world. 2017 does look bleak. But nonetheless, Happy New Year! Let’s Dance!
Thanks and the same to you. ❤
🙂
Having had a difficult 2016, Christoph, I can empathise. But i believe in karma and in the goodness of most people. Wishing you success, happiness and, most of all peace of mind in 2017. Love to all in your home. xxxx
Thanks, and the same to you ❤
Thank you, and the same to you! 🙂
Sometimes the mightiest oak is hewn by…a herring? __Monty Python
🙂 They knew what they were talking about!
Happy New Year, my friend. We just keep loving ❤
Great music choices – thanks 🎊🎉
Thanks Rita, Glad you enjoyed ❤
Happy New Year!
I hope 2017 brings you all wonderful moments and great successes
Same to you, and hopefully a meeting of two or three cancerians ❤
Happy New Year to you, too, Christoph — although this year it seems like a somewhat plaintive greeting. Here in the US we’re bracing ourselves for the worst.
Thank you We’re bracing along with you. All the Best 🙂
Christoph, thank you for this lovely end of year post — and the videos. I love that you capped it off with Xanadu. Happy New Year. Wishing you, and all of us, a Xanadu. Mega hugs.
Thanks Teagan. They might have whatever, but we’ll always have Xanadu, and they can’t take that away lol !
Have a delicious 2017! ❤
Reblogged this on LibDem Fischer.
All the best to you and yours for 2017, Christoph. If we keep writing, we will be OK.
Thanks Darlene, I agree. Much love! C.x
Happy New Year my friend. And to Ryan and the girls. Your generous, loving, sensitive, talented heart will sustain you and it IS people like you who give the rest of us hope; in the goodness of mankind that resides in the hearts of tolerance. Love, Paulette
Thanks Paulette, and the same to you and your extended family. Much much love ❤ ❤ ❤ and tail wagging and gravy flavoured licks and kisses!
In what may seem like the worst of times, my nonhuman companions keep me going with their innocent joy in life and unconditional love. Wishing you and your family (dogs and humans) all the best!
Thanks Sienna. My dogs are giving me a lot of strength, too. Heaven knows how I’d cope without them. All the Best to you and yours ❤
Thanks for the uplifting music Christoph. Boy, do I hear you on a terrible year. So many of us have endured loss, illness and hard times. I’ll join you in booting this year out on its big ass!
Wishing you all good things, health, joy, love happiness and prosperity for the New Year and onward my friend. xoxo ❤
Oh yes, you had your share of dramas, too, this year. Join the cha cha, and much love to you ❤
Yes! 🙂 ❤
When all else is lost, what is left to us is hope. Let’s hope 2017 will be better (could it possibly be any worse?). It sounds even better in Portuguese – Esperanza.
A beautiful post. Happy NY ❤
Let’s hope that 2017 will be a better year… This one hasn’t been great to say the least. All the best for much happiness and success. 🙂
Thank you, and the same to you ❤
Wonderful, heartfelt post. Here’s to a prosperous, amazing, remarkable 2017, Christoph!
Thank you Janice, and the same to you and your loved ones ❤
Thank you too, Christoph! ❤
I empathize so much with you feelings about what has been happening and what is ahead. But your generosity, kind-heartedness, open-mindedness, activism and creativity as a person and writer is sending the right energy into the world and these times – an inspiration in how we can all begin and continue to make a difference towards unity and tolerance and kindness and peace. Blessings to you and yours for the New Year and far beyond …
Thank you for your kind words. All the Best for 2017 ❤
What anyone can do to make the world a better place is have belief for where belief resides there comes the energy to do good things and you have plenty of both, Christoph. We can only try and contribute, we can resist our spirit being dampened by stumbling stones appearing under our feet as we go. Thank you for another year in your company and may 2017 be blessed and joyous for you and for all those that surround you with love, Christoph
Thanks Ina, and right back at you. All the Best for 2017 ❤
Very honest reflections, Christoph. You are an inspiration as we move forward into uncertain times. I admire you for doing something and not just complaining and letting the anger and hatred fester. We shall overcome. I know it.
Thanks Pat. We shall overcome! ❤