2020 VISION with Dreams Aplenty ......for 2020
by Cate Murway
2020 [MMXX] will be a leap year, the 20th year of the 3rd millennium, the 20th year of the 21st century, and the 1st year of the 2020s decade.
Face it. It has been 100 years since the beginning of the infamous roaring ‘20s when the ‘Great Gatsby-Era’ made an unprecedented mark in history with both dramatic social and political change.
Access to electricity in the 1920's provided Americans with the power required to run new labor-saving devices such as refrigerators, washing machines, radios, phonographs, electric razors, irons, and vacuum cleaners. Inventions in the 20’s included the automobile, the airplane, the washing machine, the radio, the assembly line, refrigerator, garbage disposal, electric razor, instant camera, jukebox and television, all that helped shape America.
So, the Roaring Twenties . . . Again?
How could a decade that gave us flappers, fantastic fashion, the Jazz Age, women earning the right to vote, and a major technological boom be considered anything but cool?
At 12:00 A.M. on January 16, 1920, the federal Volstead Act closed every tavern, bar and saloon in the United States and the Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed, creating the era of Prohibition.
It was the decade that was known variously as the “Roaring Twenties”, “The Jazz Age”, “The Golden Age”, or, if one prefers French, “Années Folles” [‘mad years’].
A century has passed from the 1920’s Henry Ford Model T to the 2020’s Tesla Autopilot; and from the 1920’s Silent Movies to 2020’s Virtual Reality.
A hundred years ago clothes were dapper and classy even though the average US wage in 1920 was a whopping $.22 per hour. In 1920, the IRS reports that the average income was $3,269.40 per year.
For those who are clearly ready to enter the future, the possibilities are quite endless.
You CAN create some magic. So, let’s REWIND KIND!
The manners and general etiquette of the 1920s were far more grounded in kindness and polite behavior than the narcissistic, often negligent behavior of far too many people nowadays.
Let’s focus on the good stuff we can breathe life back into.
“My wish for the next decade is for common sense and decency to prevail; that we all begin to realize that differences of opinions are a starting point for positive action and not a polarizing stumbling block. [And] That we amplify the side of humanity that is positive rather than the baser side.”
Jeanette Ruano, Bristol, PA
As parents age and need more assistance, most adult children do what they can to help, and put their career on hold. Life is complex and death is a big deal, it changes people. Part of coping with grief is learning to tolerate and work through painful emotions.
“My vision/dream now is full time employment.” Susan Rubinstein, Esq., Furlong, PA
Goals are to make life far livelier, a bit more colorful, and to interject a little simplicity in today’s life that has been made so complex. Be MORE with LESS!
Classic Blue is officially the Color of the Year 2020, instilling calm, confidence, and connection, this enduring blue hue highlights a desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era. This color is intended to inspire a clear, peaceful mind.
There IS hope. If today is not the day, tomorrow might be. Or maybe next week………
Just live your life. Find your truth.
It's time you step into your true power, and realize your fullest potential. New Year… New YOU!
“2020 is my year, new and exciting things happening and new challenges ahead. I hope that this year will be the best it can be and I cannot wait to see everything yet to come!” VJM senior, Jordan Benner, Feasterville, PA
“My vision for 2020 is to keep making memories with my family and friends, and to travel to new places near and far, and to practice being more mindful of being in the present. Last but not least, I strive to continue to introduce art to everyone and provide a place for practicing artists to hone their skills through Penelope Fox Art Studio. We aspire to expand our class schedules to reach all types of artists.” Jina Dieroff, Bristol Borough, PA
“For all my Family to be Healthy, and to expand my Art Collection!!!” John M. Sabatini, Levittown, PA
“Spending as much time as possible with my wife and granddaughters in my RV, enjoying life. I hope it’s a healthy, happy year for all of us!” John Ruszin, Bristol Borough, PA
“I have two 1 year old grandsons. Will spoil them like crazy.” Rich Hendricks, Levittown, PA
Every year, as the ball drops on New Year's Eve, millions of Americans make a promise to be different—better, healthier, and happier. In 1920, the average life expectancy for men was just 47 years.
Three sports dominated that decade: professional baseball, college football, and boxing.
Every sport had a superstar, but none shone brighter than Babe Ruth.
“My dream & vision for 2020 is to remain healthy enough to travel & to improve my Pickleball game [*combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis]. In case you are unfamiliar with it, Pickleball is a game resembling tennis in which players use paddles to hit a perforated plastic ball over a net. Pickleball is a sport for every one of almost all ages. Anyone from eight to eighty can play. 75% of Core Players are 55 and older. That's for me. [*Wink]"
Marie “Marty” Shively, Bristol, PA
“My husband just reached his milestone of 80 years. He told me that he did not envision reaching it. I told him that he is a good man and God wants him to live a long life. The world needs good people and he is one of them. Like many reaching a ripe age his eyesight is not as good anymore, in fact I am now his driver when it comes to long distance driving. As for my 2020 vision, I want to stay strong and healthy for my husband and especially for my grandchildren. They are all in grade school. I want to see them grow up get a career, get married, and have children. Oh yes, it’s asking too much but that is my vision, my goal right now. Yes, that is it, and my 2020 vision is to be pain free.” Raquel Vertucio, Bristol, PA
So, let's get the '20's swinging again! But how?
Communicate with impact. Influence with certainty. Listen with sensitivity. Be willing to take risks.
Utilize innate skills. Exemplify leadership qualities. Great leaders motivate action and inspire change.
The pace of change is a dominant characteristic. Managing this intelligently can be the biggest challenge.
“We are looking forward to the continued upward growth of our business, along with the other businesses throughout the Borough. We love servicing our customers who so often become our friends. We have always strived to be good, positive business role models and support others.”
Rosemarie Mignoni Szczucki and Carol Mignoni Ferguson, Bristol Borough, PA
“Always reach for something extra. That little bit could always mean more.” Kristin Eileen, Bristol Borough, PA
“Be strong enough to hold on, but brave enough to know when to let go.” Teresa Scheerer, Levittown, PA
Passed by Congress June 4, 1919, and ratified on August 18, 1920, the 19th amendment granted women the right to vote. Edith Bolling Galt Wilson, second wife of the 28th U.S. president Dr. [Thomas] Woodrow Wilson, PhD., was unofficially the first de-facto First Lady President. For one year and five months, the First Lady oversaw her husband's affairs and took over many routine duties and details of government while he recovered from his prolonged and disabling illness. Exhausted, he suffered a severe stroke and nearly died when his health failed in September 1919. The stroke left him partially paralyzed. Edith Wilson selected matters for her husband’s attention and let everything else go to the heads of departments or remain in abeyance.
“To restore dignity, respect, and maturity to the U.S. under new leadership.” Melissa Amour, Levittown, PA
Everything is hard before it gets easy. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe aka Goethe J.W. [1749-1832]
A century ago only 6% of all Americans had graduated from high school and 2 out of every 10 adults were unable to read and write. Most women were not educated before the 1920’s.
Significant changes for women took place in politics, the home, the workplace, and in education.
“The plan for 2020 is to beat my record at the Leprechaun Run and reach the finish line for my PhD!”
Ruth-Anne Pai, Philadelphia, PA
“My hopes and dreams for 2020 are to have a more successful career and to help my husband be able to retire from his. [LOL]. I am hoping to be able to invest in properties that will give us income so that we can support ourselves from that and be able to have a better way of life. We want to spend more time with our family and each other.”
Realtor, Coleen McCrea Katz, Havertown, PA
Is YOUR New Year’s resolution list a tad over the top?
Instead of BIG New Year's Resolutions, perhaps make smaller, more attainable New Year's goals.
Stop the madness before it starts! Keep it simple. Keep it real. Be kind to yourself.
You are the greatest project you will ever get to work on. Take your time.
“Ready or not…” Susan Watkins, Bristol Borough, PA
1920s: A Decade of Change
Take on the day and move into the New Year with a song in your heart and a skip in your step.
Work on those Dreams Aplenty in 2020, and make it one heck of a year.
“There's many reasons we are what we become. I'm going through changes, ripping out pages…
I'm going through changes, rattling cages. I'm going through changes now.”
“Changes” by Langhorne Slim & The Law
[Langhorne Slim is an American singer-songwriter, [born Sean Scolnick 8.20.80] in Langhorne, PA.
He attended the Solebury School in New Hope, PA, and graduated from the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College, part of the SUNY system.] langhorneslimmusic.com
Recommend a “Spotlight”. E-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com
additional responses:
"This passing year has been a heart-battering experience, especially for the past few months. My funny, generous, gracious sister Catherine sank deeper into dementia and I realized a couple of months ago that I could no longer take care of her.
Signing her into a nursing home took be back to 2016, when I knew the right thing to do for my brother Gerry was to sign a Do Not Resuscitate paper. He lived only a few minutes longer, and I still mourn for him.
So, what about 2020? Well, my family was together for Christmas _ children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and I realized that life is precious, and too short to waste on grief-dwelling.
I decided to live life to the fullest. It is God’s decision when to take someone home to Him; I can’t explain my sister’s condition but it’s out of my hands and I have to let go of guilt, just love her as I do the rest of my family, and not just move forward.
In fact, it's time to jet forward, finish my book, and do the other things that give meaning and joy to life. I always loved life, even from the time I was a kid. I think I’ll take back that enthusiasm, and yes, ambition.
Happy New Year to me and mine, to all of you out there." Elizabeth Fisher, Bristol Borough, PA
"I would love to see all fighting stopped in the World. It would be a wonderful day."
Historian/ author, Harold Mitchener, Bristol Borough, PA
1920 group selfie
1920 amusement park
click on thumbnails to enlarge
