20 Thoughts on 2020

2020 is a year that will be remembered for many years to come. Many people will hold this year with contempt, but 2020 is what you made out of it.

It is easy to want to curse this year. But easy isn’t always right as I read on someone’s tweet this morning.

If you learned anything, then it wasn’t useless. So here is a list of things I learned.

1. Never take certainty for granted. Or better yet, never think anything is certain.

2. Life can stop on a dime if you let it. So don’t let it. At the end of the day you control your own life. You may steer wrong, but there is always a detour to get it back on track.

3. Life can’t break you, if you learn to bend. Become as flexible as a yoga guru.

4. Enjoy the simple things in life. At the end the simple things are what you treasure.

5. People can’t see your smile behind a mask. Don’t just smile, but let your whole body show your joy.

6. Read more positive stories and less news rants and political jargon. A year from now you won’t remember what caused your blood to boil, but you will still remember the video of the cat on the Roomba.

7. Patience is important. Do more puzzles. If you can complete a 1000 piece puzzle then seriously anything is possible with a little patience.

8. True relationships can last through a distance. Friends and family will find ways to show love.

9. God bless technology. Heaven forbid if we went through the quarantine 30 years ago. Just think of what we learned and how it will make our lives better in the future.

10. Lemons are sour, but they pack some powerful vitamin C. Don’t swerve against things that may give you a bad taste at first, because they may actually have some hidden benefits.

11. A slower life can be a better life. Enjoy the quiet evenings at home and relax.

12. Take time to smell the roses, because you will miss that smell and taste once it’s gone.

13. Take a nap if you want to. Who cares if people judge because they are probably napping too. So worry less about people’s impressions of you and focus more on what gives you joy. Then do that.

14. Dream. Dreaming of your future helps when you have nothing else to do.

15. Act on your dreams. Anyone can dream, but only a few take that first scary step. It’s time to start walking.

16. Live each day like your not guaranteed the next. We say this, but we rarely do it. It’s time to do it.

17. Look at your city like a visitor. Experience the overlooked with a fresh pair of eyes. People who can find joy in the mundane will never be disappointed.

18. Help those who need helping. By helping others you tend to forget about your own problems.

19. Play a board game like you did as a kid. Life can drain you, so rewind the clock and take off a few years of stress.

20. Everything happens for a reason. We may not know the reason, but there is one. In life you are given a choice, so choose wisely. Will you look for the positive in a hard situation or will your close your eyes and sulk? It’s time for a scavenger hunt! Hunt for the good and look past the negative. Winners will know who they are.

One of my favorite quotes from a quirky 90s show I used to watch came from John, the Biscuit, on Ally McBeal,

If you think back, and replay your year – if it doesn’t bring you tears of joy or sadness, consider the year wasted.

2020 was definitely not wasted. May God bless you and keep you safe.

Peace and here to a better 2021!