A year to forget needs to be remembered
A tough year indeed
1 in 1000 US citizens dead. Every US citizen touched. More than any other morbid statistic we’ve seen over the last year, this is the one that broke my heart. We all have had immediate family, friends, and colleagues that have all suffered a loss. The losses don’t end there; families have been separated, careers have been put on hold, small businesses have disappeared, and those nest eggs and retirement accounts kept away for so long have been broken into. And if we choose to focus on that, it seems the whole f***ing year is a loss.
It can’t be. The grass is brown and green everywhere, it’s just the glasses you chose to wear. In a year that has felt like Groundhog Day, the only upside is that there was no Sonny and Cher music in the background.
Focus on the things that really mattered
No matter how bad it has been think long and hard about the little things that made you smile. Even in the darkness there is always some light. Did you get to spend more time with one person because of the pandemic? Did you get to live with family members that moved back to the family home? Was it seeing others faces during calls, seeing how you look as a listener, learning how to be present? Could it be that feeling you got when you connected, aided or comforted others? It could be as simple as making it through another day with the renewed energy to fight again tomorrow. I finally believe that the small things not only matter, but they may actually be everything.
Taking lessons learned forward
“The danger on the rocks has surely passed/Still I remain tied to the mast/Could it be that I found my home at last?/Home at last.” Not to tinker with Donald Fagen, but it’s almost past. We have no choice but to build upon those moments of happiness, moments that were about connections and the joy it brought us. After getting used to this new virtual connection are you ready to enjoy that which we used to take for granted? Linger over dinner a little longer. Enjoy the conversation with your friends and family a little later. Use some kind of video call in communication with friends and family on a regular basis, and not just because of the pandemic, because you want to. Be present, be kind, and hug longer.
People, Perspective, Peace and Positivity
For those of you that know me a long time, you know that there is no “Pollyanna” positivity in me. And, like all of you, I have experienced the good and bad in most all things and all people. Don’t hope for 2021 to be better than 2020 because, let’s face it, the bar is low. We must aim higher than that. Focusing on the negativity we experienced in 2020 will not make 2021 better. Find the feelings that brought joy and make sure you bring them forward as the summary of the past year. In the immortal words of Elvis Costello, “I’m searching for light in the darkness of humanity/what’s so funny about peace, love and understanding?”
Wishing you and yours a year of great health, abundant joy and in person visits and hugs.