How has your 2022 been so far?
Over the past couple of years, I've started my December with the following statement.
I'm done for the year.
Being 'done for the year' in this case has been a positive statement. Having reached your goals for the year with a month to spare in general means a good year. But making this statement with 2 months to go does somehow feel like you haven't been ambitious enough.
However, this year has been nothing short of spectacular. With travel restrictions slowly disappearing and getting to travel, getting to meet and reconnect with people after becoming my most introverted self, I can truly say, I had a great year. And this great year added another highlight with a succesful Social Media Conference Suriname 2022 this past week.
The annual SMCS Conference Closing Picture by PicsbyPLU
The year is far from over. Instead of staying mainly at home in December for the past two years, this year marks the return of responsibilities for Surifesta and while local authorities haven't officially confirmed anything yet, there is no indication that Owru Yari will not be celebrated this year.
This means, we will celebrate the end of the year in Suriname. But before celebration, we could use a little reflection. A reflection on a Nation that celebrates 47 years of Independence this November 25th. A nation that is amidst a rise of interest from multinationals looking for economic opportunities with oil and gas, while at the same time trying to maintain the crown as the most forested country in the world with of 90% of its land being covered by rainforest. A country that is known as peaceful, with different cultures and religions living among each other in peace, while at the same time being portrayed as a Narco State by on of Netflix latest series. And the list of contradictions goes on.
In the past month, it has come more and more clear. With so much negative narratives in the world, we are in need of positivity. We are in need of different perspectives, new ideas and innovations. Not necesarily because they are better straight away, but because they give insight how we can improve and evolve to become a better society.
So, I'm not done for the year. In fact, I'm just getting started.
