I’m not sure where you’re at in the midst of the total show that is 2020 but I think we can agree that it’s one for the books.
I don’t know about you but I feel like I’m on the rollercoaster of my life over here, ya’ll.
There are times I am crying and hiding from my family anywhere I can find solace in my very overcrowded home. There are moments when I am on my knees grateful for the blessings that have unfolded unexpectedly. There is intense boredom. Debilitating fear. Life changing joy.
How can we even begin to process all of the events that are happening and have happened so far this year, let alone trying to predict and prepare for what is coming next? How do we unravel and move past all of the emotions? How do we move forward in a healthy way?
I’ve been pondering this for the last 6 months. Scratching my head. Searching my heart. Trying to figure out how to write uplifting and motivating content since the COVID boom began.
Which is why I have been dead silent over here since January.
Eventually I realized I have to get out of my funk.
I’m not proud of it but there are times when I get sucked into negative and unproductive dialogue. I get angry and hopelessly stuck in worldly problems I have no control over. I go down rabbit holes of doom and gloom and don’t know how to use my voice and influence for good.
After months of this I finally came to the conclusion that it was time to admit I was not in control. I had to accept that there was more uncertainty to come this year, next year, and probably for the foreseeable future. And it’s up to me to filter all of it through the lens I am accountable to only myself for using.
Dealing with change is not a new problem. Dealing with conflict and pain and uncertainty isn’t either. 2020 may be hitting us much harder, like 1,000 real bullets to the face in comparison to 10 rubber pellets that bounce off a bulletproof vest, but at the end of the day we know how to do this.
We don’t have to search hard to find inspiration and motivation to move forward.
We have volumes of incredible, awe inspiring people who have overcome challenges and come out the other side better than before. People from our recent and distant past, some living, that have overcome huge challenges and have become stronger, wiser and kinder through the process.
It is in their spirit that I have decided look back at what 2020 has brought us so far, shake off the cloak of doom and despair, and see what golden nuggets we can pull out of this mess.
Opportunity
With immense change and fast paced disruption there is always opportunity. The chance to look at something from another point of view. The ability to see a conflict from someone else’s eyes. The choice to grow, to get uncomfortable and change tact, or to start over completely from scratch.
Character
I believe right now is the best time to search our hearts, our souls and minds, and validate what is most important in our lives. Now is the time to decide how we are going to show up amidst the difficult, unpleasant and dangerous situations we have been faced with. We will be most defined by how we build and share our qualities with others during times of conflict.
Faith
Putting a strain on our beliefs and questioning ourselves and others is really uncomfortable. It’s messy and it hurts. When there are conflicting values and opinions friendships and relationships can suffer. Through all of the mess we still can decide to hope and believe. In the goodness of others by giving them the benefit of the doubt. In a better future coming to us all on Earth and beyond. In the ultimate salvation we are all promised.
Be Honest: I have never known a better time to ask a million questions, brainstorm ideas, find new ways of thinking and scrap completely what was not working or holding me back before. We cannot dismiss what’s at stake and we should never forget who is watching.
Be Kind: If you watch closely you will see the real heroes and the quiet kindness all around us. It is not boastful or self important but it is still very strong. Faith in our goodness and in something bigger than us can and will conquer anything.
So thanks a lot 2020. Really.
