ABG, The 2021 Edition: A Retrospective
For a little bit of a twist on end-of-year content, Beck and I would like to do a joint wrap up of ABG, The 2021 Edition...
For me 2021 seemed like one long lesson in clarity. There’s a Buddhist teaching around death as the greatest teacher, and how the presence of death (which COVID has brought to our doors so powerfully these past two years) crystalizes our desires, priorities and fears with precision and alacrity.
We fear death because we crave life.
Yet if we can truly accept the reality of death, then our time here becomes precious and full-to-the-brim and so, so desirous of LIFE.
So, for today’s last ABG post of 2021, I’ve tried to unweave a few of those full-to-the-brim lessons in clarity from the fabric of this year in perspective.
There’s the lesson in clarity about why we do what we do, and what happens when we don’t have a good enough “why.” Calling it the “Great Resignation” has already become cliché, but I think it’s actually all about clarity of purpose.
Relatedly, there’s the lesson in clarity about ABG’s intention and why we do what we do, and how applicable it can be to a broader segment of the beverage alcohol industry. This is when the full-to-the-brim craving to help actually spills over: our why matters in the spirits and beer segments too. Rather than join this part of the “great resignation,” I’d like very much to lean in here.
There’s also the lesson in clarity about what’s important to us about friendship, and “slipping off the raft” of relationships that have simply run their course. It seems to have become more common and frequent to sunset friendships, and I think it has to do with clarity over who we want in our lives. When we are craving life, that list of friendships has a way of crystalizing.
----
From Beck:
On a personal note, 2021 has been a difficult and relentless lesson in staying present. It has been a year that offered every opportunity, life situation (and trigger) to question, worry, ruminate, and try to anticipate anything to feel "normal". But this need to control was an exercise in futility as aspirations, big ideas, hopes, and wishes came and went, requiring another deep breath, more recalibration, and starting over.
I had to learn how to be present with what is, or as Buddhist teacher Ram Das calls, “Be here now.”
Some days, it felt like ABG was a two-cylinder offering in an eight-cylinder super-charged world, and while it was challenging to stay present, we kept on showing up, because we deeply believe that this work is important, and you told us as such in your own unique ways. Thank you for continuing to show up for us, when we need that reminder.
We have tackled some hot topics this year and you have been our fuel to keep listening, asking questions, and taking action. From mindful drinking and setting healthy boundaries, to finding balance in the blurred lines of personal and professional lives, and the demand for industry to do better, you brought the topics to the fore so we can approach them safely and honestly. Thank you.
For your quiet messages of support, sharing inspiring stories and perspectives, thank you for your contributions.
To our guest writers, whose honest personal essays were a peek into the lives of our colleagues and friends, thank you.
Extra special thanks to the ABG team who donate their valuable time, resources and energy to help keep the ABG offering viable and vibrant.
And to each of you who share the common desire to see our industry be a safer, healthier, and more vibrant place to be, thank you.
To Cathy’s point, the enormity of change has brought every point of life into focus, asking us to be very clear about what matters. More clarity around how our precious energies are spent, and finding space to listen to the quiet voice of the heart.
Letting go of what was, or could be, and settling into what is. Here and now.
Wishing you and your loved ones a safe, healthy, calm, and mindful Holiday season, and we look forward to seeing you all here again in 2022.
Namaste,
Beck and Cathy
