This year has been a year of doing things differently. When it comes to doing things differently than what is considered ‘normal’, there tends to be two types of people. Those that adapt well to change and go along with the flow of things, and those that tend to metaphorically stomp their feet and resist the winds of change.
Well, I’m going to be honest here, I fall into the second category. Many of us do, if we think about it. To a point, it becomes a part of human nature to be set in our ways. We don’t like to change things when we’ve spent so much time and energy learning how to do things in the first place. Don’t we feel a certain sense of wasted effort when new things come along and disrupt our routines?
Just look at our nation since the onset of 2020. We’ve had to change our lives, in some cases completely. COVID-19 came along and forced us to stay home, avoid crowds, hide behind masks and forget how to shake a hand in greeting. Most of us begrudgingly did what we were told. Many of us missed Easter celebrations with family. We opted to stay in our homes without the old familiar comfort of enjoying celebrations with extended family or the sunrise service on the church grounds.
We changed our plans for spring break get-a-ways and had to plan staycations instead. The students that worked so hard for their diplomas were forced to modify their graduation walks with all the pomp and circumstance in front of packed auditoriums and gyms.
Senatobia has seen numerous changes within the city’s limits on top of what the rest of the State of Mississippi and the nation in general has faced in 2020. New leaders in the city’s departments have brought about modifications on how the departments should serve the residents of Senatobia.
Ethan Foresman took on the role of Chief for Senatobia’s Fire Department. His qualifications and demeanor are more than capable as he faces the challenges of looking for alternate fundraising ideas without the department’s largest cash generator in the form of the annual bake sale, which was cancelled due to COVID-19.
The city’s police department has also been met with changes this year. Richard Chandler is new in his role as Senatobia’s Police Chief. He has pledged to be more transparent and communicate with residents to keep them aware of traffic situations, public safety events and the actions of the department.
Even the Tate Record has undergone tremendous change in 2020. Not only did ownership change after more than 30 years, but the publication date moved from Tuesdays to Wednesdays. The paper even launched a website and started social media campaigns and pages.
Yes, 2020 has been a year full of changes. Some of us handled them nicely, quietly. Some of us have dragged our feet a bit. And some of us have had to be roped, yanked and pulled kicking and screaming all the way.
There might be a bit of hope though. As much as we don’t want to admit it. As much as we might resent change at first, a lot of times it ends up being a good thing. Sometimes, it ends up improving our lives in some way. Most of the time, change at least shows us a new way of looking at things.
Now, I can’t speak for everyone, but as for me, all of this upheaval and crazy adjustments made in 2020 has served to make me a bit more use to the idea of change. If nothing else, maybe I won’t drag my feet quite so deep in the dirt next time a change comes my way.
