How many times have you heard someone say in the past few days or weeks, “I’ll be glad when 2020 is over!”?
I’ll be the first to admit that 2020 is definitely one for the books. I can remember in January sitting in church or listening to a podcast and everyone had picked up on the theme 2020 Vision. A New Year for a New Vision….or something similar. It was going to be a year of hope. We totally were not prepared for what we got. A pandemic, a failing economy, a ridiculous election year…just to name a few things. (Sidebar: I hate election year, mainly because of all the nasty ads and name calling.)
Many people around me decided to give up early in the game. They decided early on that 2020 was to blame for every hardship, every inconvenience….basically, anything that was going wrong. I saw a lot of people put their lives on hold in expectation of a better day.
As I look back, I have realized, 2020 was a very good year. It turned out to be my year for unwavering hope. It was my year for new adventures. It was my year for greater expectations. It has been the year that has pushed me out of my comfort zone and put me on a greater path.
Let me try to explain where I’m coming from. This past year, I have witnessed my dad’s health decline. We have made 4 trips to Vanderbilt Medical Center…just the two of us. As we made our journey to Nashville, (2 1/2 hours one way), he and I got into some great conversation. We got serious but we also laughed… a lot. He told me stories from his youth, things he has learned and things he’s still learning (he’s 84 years old!). I received confirmation in one conversation of his salvation! I say all of this for a reason: I could get bogged down in the mire of the situation regarding his failing health, or I can celebrate the renewal of our relationship. I have gotten to know a side of my dad that I never knew. In this respect, 2020 has given me something that no other year has been capable of.
Also in 2020, I left my comfort zone at work and transferred to a totally different department. Eleven years with a company and I have been able to learn a completely different skill set…more money and less stress! I stepped out of my comfort zone and started a blog, website and Etsy store…and in the process, inspired my adult daughter to jump out of her comfort zone and do the same!
I know may of us have experienced loss in 2020 but my hope for you, my sweet friend, is that you can look back and see the gain. What hopes and dreams came true? How have you grown?
I don’t know about you, but I have already made my list of goals and dreams for 2021! There’s no where to go but up!
2020 was a great year and I’m looking forward to a great 2021!