As we step into December, the final month of 2020, it is with a renewed perspective. Usually during this time, I revisit my yearly goals to see what still remains before the new year begins. Of the items remaining, I try to gauge the feasibility of whether the goal can still be accomplished, or whether, it needs re-tuning for the next year. Nevertheless, I acknowledge and celebrate all that I have accomplished.
2020, the start of a new decade. Like many others, I started this year with a full list of exciting things I wanted to accomplish. After careful consideration, I created a plan to help me reach my business, career, and personal aspirations; even going as far as looking at areas of my life I should sacrifice in order to ensure I could reach them. My intention was to set the stage for long-term milestones that would roll out over the new decade, towards a better future self.
But then, in March, the unexpected happened, and every single aspect of life not only changed, it appeared to flip on its head. Life as we once knew it, and often took for granted, changed completely. And as the reality of this pandemic set in, what I would sacrifice took on a whole new dimension; and quickly, my goals were immediately reduced to a simple few: maintain consistency; stay healthy; attempt to maintain a human connection with the people I love; stay sane.
It’s not been easy.
As we close out the year still sheltered in place, I believe we have been granted the biggest opportunity of our lifetime. This moment has allowed many to look a little closer to home, into our heart and within our problem-solving mind, to realize what is most important in life. If there is one thing we can all agree on, it’s that being separated from the people we love has been difficult; that not following our normal day-to-day rituals has actually been a disruption. Stay home and relax? We simply are not attuned to do this! Yet, here we are, finding a new way to do business, to relate with one another, and to accept a new way of living, all from the comfort of our home.
Over the last twelve months, we have learned so much about ourselves, the value of our relationships, and just how integrated we are with the world around us. It’s as if the year 2020 has given us 20/20 vision! Where we were once blind, we can now see. And, suddenly, nothing else mattered; not the best Gucci bag; not the latest Prada boots; not the luxury spa getaway in the wine country… instead, what mattered most, is making our homes clean and safe; ensuring there is food in the fridge and cupboard; that our family and friends have what they need; that our physical and mental health is stable. In the middle of all of this uncertainty, we knew that as long as we had these, we could get through this unprecedented challenge.
So who have we become now as a result of this year? Who will we be in the years to follow?
It’s as if this new clearer vision has shown us our way back to love; as if this 20/20 viewpoint has become our opportunity to determine what is most important to our standard of living… and to practice our new habits which will take us forward with renewed steps towards the future of our beautiful life.
As we internalize the person we are today, and the person we hope to be tomorrow, I pray we make an adjustment to our attitude; to love more, judge less; to take the best aspects of what we have gleaned from this experience, and learn how to apply them. Because as we redefine our approach to living, we have the opportunity to make changes that will improve our quality of life by focusing on what is most important: our loved ones; our health; and treating each other with kindness, compassion, and respect.
As I look back at my goals for 2020, I think I am meeting them. Today, I am healthy by eating nutritious foods, exercising at home, and getting sun when possible. To stay sane, I am reading; writing; listening to music and dancing to the beat. Other times I spend time talking with friends and family, and working. It’s not always easy, because sometimes my friends and family are not available when I feel I really need them the most; it’s a struggle at times. But then I remember God, and suddenly, I don’t feel so alone. That has been my saving grace.
How about you? How are you surviving this year?
We have learned so much. And there is so much more that needs to be done to progress, in spite of being self-isolated, because time does not stand still; the sun still rises, the moon still waxes and wanes, and the stars still shine bright.
So, what is most important? How do we keep what we have learned close to the heart so we do not lose the new foundation of our character?
Now that we have this 20/20 insight, what goals will we set for personal improvement for the remainder of this decade?
Will we choose to stay focused on what we have learned to be most important in life— letting all of the other stuff go?
Will we choose love?