And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm is all about’ – Haruki Murakami
2020 will soon be over. We’ve just got a few hours left before we cross over into a brand new year. Many folks have voiced to me that they can’t wait for it to be over. It has been a year when our whole world was turned upside down due to COVID-19.
I must admit that I’ve felt this way many days during this year myself. Since March, we’ve been having to learn to live differently – wearing masks, social distancing, frequent hand washing, and getting used to frequent lock-downs. For those of us who like to travel, we’ve had to stay put. Our world doesn’t feel like a “safe” place anymore.
While we all live with the hope in our hearts that 2021 will be much better than 2020, we don’t really know for sure how things will shape up or how soon. It’s great that there’s a vaccination available now and the scientific community is backing it. Until we all get vaccinated, we do have to carry on and keep on carrying on though.
This isn’t the first time in mankind’s history that we’ve been confronted with challenges and setbacks. We haven’t had COVID-19 before but generations before us have experienced war, pestilence, and disaster. It passed and they came through and so can we. At the same time, we acknowledge and feel the loss of all those who have lost their lives to this virus. We so want to see better days. ‘ Every situation in life is temporary. So, when life is good, make sure you enjoy and receive it fully. And when life is not so good, remember that it will not last forever and better days are on the way.’ ~ Jennie Young
In every challenging situation, whether personal or global, there are opportunities for learning and growth. There are also opportunities for acceptance of changing circumstances – whether these be good or bad. Two persons just within the past few days expressed being thankful during this time. Their circumstances changed and they changed.
One person’s mother (who has passed on) was in a Nursing Home and got COVID while there but survived. Her family were unable to see her during the first lockdown and it was a very hard time for her and for them. She died suddenly just when the first lockdown was lifted and two members of her family saw her on the day that she died. A blessing for them indeed!
In an exchange we had before Christmas, I mentioned her Mum and that I knew she would miss her a lot this Christmas. Her reply to me was that although they would miss her, that she personally was grateful that she wasn’t here to go through the second lockdown. The first had been too hard for her.
The other instance that comes to mind is personal to me. My son was working in Ottawa and his wife in Hamilton for a while now. The management had not approved for him to work from home as we had hoped. COVID-19 came along and everyone had to work from home. He and his wife are able to be together now. They are grateful for this and so are we. “The soul that gives thanks can find comfort in everything; the soul that complains can find comfort in nothing.” ~ Hannah Whitall Smith
Given that COVID-19 is very much here, It’s still possible to think about what you want your New Year to look like. The virus can’t take away the direction or course you choose to set for yourself personally. Maybe you need to practice better self-care in 2021. To achieve this goal, it’s a good idea to write down some concrete strategies for how you plan to achieve this.
- Walk for 15 minutes every morning and evening.
- Spend less time on social media
- Eat soup and salad for lunch
- Go to bed one hour earlier every night
- Practice Mindfulness
Those are just suggestions to show how you can make your own “to do” list . If your New Year’s goal is to get rid of debt, your list will look different. Whatever, you hope to achieve will have to be worked at. There are steps that have to be taken to get you there. ~ “There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.” —C.S. Lewis
Perhaps, you’re not feeling up to making any New Year resolutions for 2021 or setting any goals. The past year has been difficult enough as it is. That’s ok too. Sometimes we feel that we need to slow down and not take on more. We can use that as an opportunity to become more in tune with our feelings, thoughts, and inner being. We may be on a spiritual journey. Whatever it is that nourishes you as a person will benefit you and those around you. Your journey in 2021 is your own. “Your visions will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.” ~ Carl Jung
Wherever you happen to be and whatever space you find yourself in during these last few hours of 2020, I hope that your New Year will bring joy, peace, and happiness to you and yours. We’re all doing the best we can to ride the storm and, hopefully, come out better people on the other side of it. ” Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning how to dance in the rain.” ~ Vivian Greene
NOTE: THE CORONAVIRUS ART IN THIS POST IS MY OWN