Kick Rocks 2023!!

Okay 2023, you can be over; goddamn!! 

While I sit here reflecting on 2023, I am listening to a playlist of all of my liked songs over the year (not gonna lie, it’s actually a list accumulated over multiple years), but who’s counting?? At the moment of this writing, “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” by The Police is playing. One of my all-time favorite tunes, by one of my all-time favorite bands, and arguably, one of the greatest bands assembled!! While this is an outstanding song and makes me feel good, it reminds me of the ice-breaker question I ask to every new-hire class I teach:

What is that one tune where no matter what is happening in your day, it always picks you up and gets you to realize that it's going to be okay? 

I usually cheat, and list a couple. Namely, “Three Little Birds” and “No Woman, No Cry”, both by Bob Marley. To me, these two are such feel good tunes that I am instantly happier regardless of whatever is happening in my life. I’ve been listening to Bob for the last 30 years or so of my life, and these two tunes never let me down. He is one of the greatest poetic lyricists to have ever lived. I would have loved to been able to sit and chat with him. 

But this is not about music. No, it’s about the crazy-ass bullshit that the world went through during 2023. Please do not misconstrue my words….this is not a piece on negativity, minimizing anybody’s struggle’s, or even the glorification of heinous and atrocious acts. It is simply meant to remind us that life is fragile and fleeting, and that we ALL need to stop, take a beat, think about others and as John Green says:

“…Pay Attention to what you pay attention to!”

Green, J. (n.d.). The Anthropocene Reviewed Book. John Green Books. Retrieved from https://www.johngreenbooks.com/the-anthropocene-reviewed-book

With that, 2023 has been a year marked by significant challenges and global anxieties. And yet, amidst the shadows, flickers of resilience and hope also emerged. So let’s take a moment to examine some of the global challenges that unfolded in 2023:

1. Intertwined Crises of Cost-of-Living and Food Security: The World Economic Forum’s “Global Risks Report 2023” highlights this interwoven threat, ranking “Cost-of-living crisis,” “Energy supply crisis,” and “Food supply crisis” among the top risks with the greatest potential impact. Inflation, resource scarcity, and the ongoing Ukraine war exacerbate these issues, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations (World Economic Forum, 2023).

2. Geopolitical Turmoil and Fracture: From the war in Ukraine and its global ramifications to rising tensions between major powers like the US and China, geopolitical instability creates a cascade of uncertainties. “Rogue Russia” and “Maximum Xi” are identified as significant risks in TIME magazine’s “Top 10 Global Risks of 2023,” pointing to the potential for escalating conflicts and disruptions to international cooperation (TIME, 2023).

3. Looming Economic Downturn and Recession: The shadow of recession looms large on the horizon, fueled by factors like rising interest rates, geopolitical tensions, and lingering pandemic effects. The World Economic Forum report warns of a potential “economic downturn,” while TIME emphasizes the risk of a “global middle class squeeze,” highlighting the economic vulnerability of millions (World Economic Forum, 2023; TIME, 2023).

4. Stalling Climate Action and Intensifying Environmental Threats: Progress on climate change mitigation remains insufficient, even as its impacts like extreme weather events become more frequent and severe. The UN Foundation lists “Taking Stock of an Intensifying Climate Crisis” as a key issue to watch, while “Climate action hiatus” features in the World Economic Forum report, emphasizing the need for urgent and concerted action (UN Foundation, 2023; World Economic Forum, 2023).

5. Widening Societal Gaps and Polarization: Growing social and economic inequality, coupled with political polarization and misinformation, fuel societal unrest and hinder collective solutions to global challenges. TIME’s “Top 10 Global Risks” identify “Societal polarization” as a major threat, while the World Economic Forum report highlights the dangers of “fragmented governance” and the need for social cohesion (TIME, 2023; World Economic Forum, 2023).

6. Sources:

7. TIME (2023, October 26). The Top 10 Global Risks of 2023. https://time.com/6243988/top-global-risks-of-2023/

8. UN Foundation (2023, January 31). 5 Global Issues to Watch in 2023. https://unfoundation.org/blog/post/5-global-issues-to-watch-in-2023/

9. World Economic Forum (2023). Global Risks Report 2023. https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-risks-report-2023/digest/

Please note: These are just a few of the many complex and interconnected challenges of the world in 2023. The ranking and specifics can vary depending on the source and perspective, and are solely the view of the publisher. If there is something within your orbit that was missed, my condolences for your situation(s).

And while the above may not affect you directly, they do indirectly. Remember, we are all connected, so please try putting your challenges into perspective and know that things could be worse. I have had my share of challenges this year, up to and including death in the family. But like Bob says….

“My feet is my only carriage So I’ve got to push on through But while I’m gone I mean, Everything’s gonna be alright!“

So with that, here’s to 2024 and paying attention to what we are paying attention to, because everything’s gonna be alright!