It has been one heck of an interesting year. Almost everyone on the planet (!) has been affected by the pandemic. Most of us have had other challenges too as we’ve lost loved ones, watched some of our most beloved places burn. We’ve witnessed our cities and towns in turmoil as the fires burning for social and racial equality blazed, and outrageous news and weather have become almost expected.
I invite you to take a moment now, as we love to do on anniversaries, and look back over this last year. Just for this moment, set aside the suffering, the long list of things you wanted to do and couldn’t, the long list of things you didn’t want to have happen that happened anyway. Set all that aside and make an objective assessment, well as objective as possible since it’s about you.
Ask yourself these questions:
- What came out of this last year that I can be grateful for?
- What is better about my life now than a year ago?
- What have I learned from these challenging times?
- How have I grown through difficulty? (Try to focus on the mental/emotional, not the waistline.)
A lot of awful things have happened in the last year, but a lot of personal growth has been offered also. With challenge comes growth! You’re reading this, so you made it this far. Focus on the changes you have made, by choice or not, that have improved your life…
- Where have you gained insight into a part of your life that you’ve wanted to change but were able to ignore when things were “normal”?
- Some couples and families report they were never closer than they are now. How have your relationships changed?
- Focus on any that have improved and make a plan for how to continue the practices that led to the improvement. Did you take on a new hobby that brings you joy and stimulates your creative mind?
- Did you spend more time in nature?
- Did you find a new book or show that makes you feel good, the story brings you to a place of happiness?
It is possible now that the world is slowly reopening, for you to continue to follow the path towards changing your life for the better.
Take some time to assess, it may not be immediately obvious, but change is there. It took a while for all of us to realize, and even longer to accept, that our world was changing in a big way last March (or whenever it hit for you). So take time now, look deeply inward, and find the changes you want to keep.
Every challenge is a chance for growth and self improvement.
I wish you the best on your journey.