A year ago today...

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It's been more than a year since the world changed forever. I've learned a lot of lessons over this time period with the most important being the power of choice.

Quality versus quantity

We rushed to helped those in need without much after thought when the world was faced with COVID - 19. Do you remember when we clanged pots for healthcare workers? When we played musical instruments on the patios and welcomed Zoom parties with friends and families? How about picking up groceries for seniors in the neighbourhood or restaurants giving out discounted takeout? All these warm and fuzzy feelings was a pivotal moment in human history as we reflect back and ask ourselves what’s most important in our lives.  We figured out quickly what we didn't need (junk) and what we cherished the most (health, connection, alone time with our thoughts, love, community).

Isolation is tough

For some this is the longest time they’ve spent with themselves, reflecting on who they are, what they want and who they want to become. Some, weren’t ready to look in the mirror for that long.  Some didn’t like what they saw and used socializing with others as a way to distract themselves. We should connect with others, it’s in our nature, it's what makes us human beings. And we should cherish the our time with ourselves the most. As long as it’s productive, honest, and safe with the goal of better understanding yourself and finding your purpose.

We don’t need as much as we think we do
The human race has done incredible things.  We can ask, get and receive anything we want at unbelievable speeds which was unthinkable a few years ago, let alone decades ago. But what we’ve done is conditioned ourselves that we need stuff to make us happy. We often make fun at millennials for growing up wanting instant gratification not realizing that we are all becoming one ourselves. This last year has put that theory to bed. Surprisingly we’ve learned what little we need in life to be happy. And that happiness is not a destination but a choice in the present moment.

We are in more control than we think

For most people I've spoken too, last year turned out better than expected.  We had our selves back, time to read, time to connect, time to shut off the noise of external pressures (interrupted as internal pressures) and lived the life that we wanted to. Without judgement, without fear of what others thought - because we were all doing the same thing - self reflecting, re-evaluating, re-imagining what an ideal life would look like. For some, the last year went by in a blink of an eye and instead of seizing on the opportunity to make real strides in their life, they spent it in fear, anxiety, worry and distracting themselves with numbing activities. There's no judgement.  We all meet challenges and circumstances differently in life. But for those that didn't take advantage of the gift that was brought to us last year, some are wondering what did I do with the year in my time?  The question will remain - how was 2020 for you? What did you learn?  What are you taking away from that year?  And how are you that much closer to living your life the way you want it to, the way your authentic, true self is aligned with? 

A year goes by faster than you think

When you're in the thick of things, it seems like nothing else matters. During the start of last year, none of us knew how long it would take to live the way we had to live, socially distanced and isolated. What probably felt like eternity now looking back seems like a distant memory. Brighter days ahead of us are closer to us than the darker ones behind us. Which makes you think, nothing is as long as it seems.  In the moment, we have a choice, to face what we're facing one second, one minute at a time, or to choose to live in a perpetual fear of the unknown future state.  One robs you of opportunity, the other keeps you in fear, uncertainty and anxiety. And the liberating feeling from it all? You have the power to choose, and it can start right now. 
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