~Reflections of 2020~
As we all say good bye to 2020 tonight... let's let it go with gratitude from what we took away from such a trying year! Rather than remember all the struggles we faced personally, in our businesses or jobs or as a country; I prefer to highlight the positives and take away a lesson (or many lessons really) that I learned from 2020!
With the fear of Covid-19 weighing heavy on so many hearts this year, I’m grateful to be healthy and that my family is healthy too. This year so many lives were lost, from family members and friends to the thousands that have died from Covid-19. It’s impossible to comprehend, especially when it’s young lives that have perished too soon, but I hope through the pain we can all find peace in our hearts. Find peace and let our hearts be filled with happy memories of our loved ones. Find peace so we can live our best life possible! This heart wrenching lesson is to always look for peace along your journey through the pain.
Earlier this month, I shared a personal struggle I was facing with anger over the possibility of my attacker being released on parole. Thank you to everyone who sent their strength, thoughts and prayers, as I’m happy to say we were successful in overturning the decision of the Parole Board Members at the Full Board Hearing and my attacker will remain in prison for at least another five more years (serving nearly 20 years of his 25-year maximum sentence). Although, I initially struggled with anger, I was able to bring myself to peace prior to the hearing, regardless of the what the outcome would be. I knew I would find the words to express my VOICE and whatever happened after that, would happen. It was out of my control at that point and the lesson learned was that I did everything I could to fight for my rights as a survivor. Never stop fighting or finding your voice, no matter how hard the battle!
So, friends as we say goodbye to 2020, take a moment and make a list of positive lessons you’ve learned from this year, as these two were just a few of mine. Pause, and reminisce on all that has happened (the good, the bad and the ugly)! There wouldn’t be growth without failure or hard times… sometimes we need to experience that to appreciate the easy things in life. Maybe this was the year we had to be put through many challenges to appreciate the simple gifts in life; the quietness of home, the beauty in slowing down, exploring the nature around us more, and most importantly the closeness with family and friends.
So, as we embrace the unknowns of 2021, let’s try to focus on the things we can control. Our parenting skills, nurturing relationships, empowering + inspiring others, work ethic, dedication, integrity, self-care, making healthy choices, commitment to family and pride in our community, just to name a few… Most notably for me, being in tune with our feelings and emotions and how we control and respond to the challenges we face. So, get writing on those list of yearly GOALS (not resolutions), actual goals you want to accomplish! (It’s ok if it’s still a goal from 2020 that didn’t get checked off.)
So my overarching lesson for 2020 I want to share is “to live each day to the fullest”, as cliché as that is to say, it’s so true. Life is short, live it, tomorrow is a gift! And if you haven’t realized that after this year, then maybe you should pause and give it a thought! Are you living your best life? And doing all the things that you’ve dreamed of doing? Are you doing the things that make you happy? If the answer is no, then ask yourself why and what you can do to get there! Life is short my friends! Live it!
Happy New Year to you & yours!
~Cheers to LOVE, HEALTH & HAPPINESS in 2021!