As I knelt to pray in the New Year, December 31, 2019, I was full of great expectations. In my mind, 2020 was to be a year like no other. Prophetically, 2020 was to be the year of overflow, provision, and abundance. According to numerology, 2020 is an angel number. A number that represents harmony and balance in relationships not only with others but with ourselves. The number reminds us that we are to bend, but not break. I am guessing 2020 did not get the message of its prophetic significance! With 2020 slowly disappearing in the rearview mirror, we are excited to say, “Girl bye!, Good riddance to you!” Although we will be taking our new normal into 2021, we cannot forget the lessons we learned. Not all of 2020 was awful.
We celebrated healthcare workers, first responders, and essential workers in a multitude of ways. We came together to support one another amidst all the craziness. We experienced the power of community. Some of you developed new routines and healthy habits that you will continue well into the new year. Because the world stopped, you took notice of things you missed in your day-to-day hustle and bustle of years passed. You reached out to that friend you hadn’t heard from in years, or they reached out to you. By May, you finally figured out how to set your Zoom virtual background, and you threw out that awesome planner you purchased last December.
“It’s okay not be okay” was the phrase you needed to hear as you realized that mental health is just as important as physical health.
As a collective, we, the people, didn’t agree on much, but we came together when it counted most. We practiced social distancing, yet we focused on more deliberate connections. Although masks hid our faces, we became great at smiling with our eyes and recognizing the smile in the eyes of others. We created space for those books we’ve been yearning for time to read. We found time to learn a new language, pick up a new hobby (or revitalize an old one), and renew neighborly bonds during our afternoon walks. We participated in virtual happy hours and game nights. We looked forward to the next verzuz battle, and during our feelings of disconnect, social media became our lifeline. We picked up the habit of journaling and reflection.
We remembered how to “properly” wash our hands and had fun thinking of songs we could sing for 20 seconds as we practiced this healthy habit. If you’re anything like me, you picked up more healthy habits to make 2021 a year where you won’t need any resolutions.
We found ways to find joy in the midst of a dark season where March seemed to last for a thousand winters.
Resilience is what mattered most in this rough year. As you gingerly move toward 2021, what will you take with you?
I hope you take the newfound joy you discovered during the darkness. Without the dark, there is no light. Maybe your faith is restored, or you’ve experienced a heightened sense of spirituality. Cling to what helps you feel at ease. Like many of you, I will continue to appreciate what matters most and to look for the silver linings among the clouds today and from this day forward!
Peace and many blessings to you!
