As Christmas approaches it’s nice to take a break from the relentless passing of time. The old year is all over except for the shouting and the New Year is waiting in the wings. For now there is just the next couple of weeks to think about. There are presents to buy, menus to plan, invitations to send and receive, and a wonderful expectation of joy on the faces of loved ones as they celebrate Christmas with us. It really is the best time of the year.
As I look back on the year past I think of some of the lessons that I’ve learned from the people who live on this island that I love so much. I’ve come to realize that people who get very passionate about one cause or another and form groups to promote it get a real payoff from their commitment. Not only do they get personal satisfaction from knowing that they fought the good fight, they also make friends and enjoy a social group that they never would have met if they hadn’t gotten involved. And the beauty is that they rarely do very much harm. Most of us have a pretty fixed worldview. We gather the facts of the issue under discussion and make a decision. Occasionally we miss some point that would alter our decision, but not often. We tend to listen to the arguments that fit our view of things and skim over or dispute the facts that don’t suit us. The best example this year was the Park debate. The islanders who wanted the park did a great job of organising themselves, which I’m sure required many meetings during which many friendships were formed or strengthened. The fact that their cause failed was undoubtedly painful, but in retrospect they will look back at their involvement as a positive experience.
Speaking of loving Bowen and Christmas, it’s time to step up and support your local retailers and service providers. Every year the population of Bowen grows a little bit, which is good news for local businesses. But every year business gets tougher for small town stores everywhere. Internet based and big box store retailing continually erodes the market share of smaller stores and the economic slowdown that has gripped the western world has made its way to Bowen. The Christmas season is a make or break time for many stores. If you support them now they’ll be here to serve you in February. And besides, think about what a hero you’d be if you surprised everybody with Cocoa West hot chocolate on Christmas morning.
Looking ahead, the most exciting thing on Bowen is the new Municipal council. It will be interesting to see what they lay out as their strategic plan for the next three years. I’m wondering if it will include an economic development strategy, or ways that we can reduce our carbon footprint, or plans to enhance our recycling efforts. Something tells me that greenways for wildlife and environmental protection bylaws won’t be at the top of their list, but who knows, maybe they have some surprises in store for us. The lesson from the last council is that the plan must be completed within the council’s three-year term. If they don’t get it done there is no reason to believe that the next council will finish it for them.
On a more personal note I’d like to thank you for reading these columns. When I took over writing them seven or eight years ago I had no idea how much they would come to mean to me. It’s a strange addiction, similar to that experienced by Internet bloggers. Luckily for me I can get by with a fix every couple of weeks. For the first few years those few people who read my side of the Bulletin politely pretended that they hadn’t. But occasionally I struck a cord and people would actually come up to me and thank me for writing what they wanted to say. So that became my mission; to identify what it is about us that makes us see the world differently than mainlanders. Over time I found myself trying to explain to newcomers what makes the culture of Bowen unique. And then that damn Cape Roger Curtis Neighbourhood Plan came along and I lost it. I changed from being the observer in the corner to the impassioned zealot. And that is why I can now look at the hardliners on either side of a debate and sympathize with their frustration. Conversely I also don’t feel sorry for them, I know from personal experience how invigorating it is to get passionate about a cause.
That’s my story, thanks for reading it. Janice and I will be heading off to southern California right after Christmas so you won’t be seeing another Bulletin until February. Until then please remember that the purpose of life is to enjoy it and there are few things more enjoyable then being with those you love on Christmas morning.
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