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The ‘20s have not exactly been user-friendly.

Hurricanes, epidemics, shortages, wars, political theater, inflation and social division have come upon us like plagues upon Egypt.

Stepping around the notion that we’re probably harvesting what we’re earning, an obvious question arises, “What might a body do to navigate the upcoming year in productive fashion?”

Glad somebody asked. 

As we face a shadowy, uncertain, wobbly, fuggy and fozzy future, here’s a few tips that might help:

 • It’s a crazy world — And you best not forget it. Treating the absurdities seriously versus responsibly will set your hair, brain, heart, and/or spirit on fire. Those are not good things. The alternative is to keep most of you focused on what you can control versus what you can’t. Forget that old defensive driving admonishment, “Watch out for the other guy.” Watch out for your own behavior and you’ll be a much safer person.

 • Forgive — If you have resentment toward someone in the past or present, use the new year to clean out this emotional gunk. Forgive them – not for them, but for you. When you forgive you throw away anger, depression, hurt and other miseries. Let God take care of those who’ve wronged you.

• Love — The toughest assignment known to man is the commandment that we love one another. Nothing is harder than unconditional love – the only real kind of love there is – absolutely nothing. But it is the only medicine that helps almost any condition and rewards the lover at least as much as the loved. Oh yes, love is a skill. Learn how to do it right.

• Give — Closely related to loving is giving. Though most people lean toward taking, being a giver is infinitely more satisfying. Need something? Give that something to someone else. Givers are independent, happier and proactive. Givers are needy, unsatisfied and reactive. That’s an easy choice that gets better with practice.

• Take care of your body — We are a shamefully unhealthy culture. Do your part to fix that. Regular exercise is the best medicine we have for just about anything — including emotional, physical and cognitive health. An apple a day – combined with exercise – is indeed the best way we have to keep the doctor away. You don’t have to do an Arnold workout. Just start walking for a good beginning to a better future.

• Don’t retire — One of the dumbest concepts of modern-day living is retirement. We’re not meant to retire. We’re meant to be useful for the full spectrum of our lives. In a good job or activity? Keep doing it. In a bad one? Take the opportunity to shift to something more satisfying. Whatever you do, keep moving toward something besides your own pleasure.

• Resist debt — Indebtedness is a form of slavery and it is the main reason that gazillionaires are controlling more than their fair share of our economy. Resist! You can start by living toward the necessary over the nice. It is pursuing that last one that has gotten most of us in financial trouble. Quit working for the elite and start working the common man. You do that best by being a common man.

• Manage toxic choices — If you’re looking for a way to clean up your life, start by cleaning up the poisons you may be ingesting. Anger, addiction, judgmentalness, selfishness, worry, negativity and fear poison the container that holds them. Funny how we can be so miserable and be clueless on how often we’re manufacturing that misery.

• Choose wisely — Our childhood, economic standing, genetics, support system and natural gifts play a big role in how our life goes. But personal choice is absolutely the single greatest determinant of how our life really goes. No matter what sketchy social influencers tell you, you are totally in charge of your choices and thus the biggest share of your future.

• Faith matters — Though most of us hate the idea of obeying higher spiritual authority, the evidence is overwhelming that man does not do well without (1) a belief in something bigger and better than his/herself (2) a vision of where we came from (3) a picture of where we go when we leave here and (4) an understanding of what we should do while we are here. I’ve tried hard to find a way to sidestep the necessity of faith, but failed at every turn. If you’re antagonistic to faith, take care that you’re not confusing manmade religious charades with the truths of God.  

Happy New Year to you. 

Here’s to praying that what comes next is solid and good. And, if it is not, you have a good you to get you through.

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Conserve [v. kuhn-surv] To use or manage wisely; preserve, save...

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Carl Mumpower is a practicing psychologist and former member of Asheville City Council. He can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .