PODCAST LINK: Farewell 2020
Other platforms: Here
As I sit here at my computer looking out at the rain drenched snow, I am taking time to reflect on this past year. The Christmas tree and decorations are still up, and the fridge is full of leftovers of days gone by. Holiday food and snacks that will linger in the extra weight I am carrying because of this season, and frankly the past 8 months of this exceedingly difficult and challenging year.
For me, the pandemic of 2020 will always be remembered by those we lost to Covid-19, for the incredible people I met through technology, by the deep surrender I experienced since there were so many restrictions to human connection, by the blessings of technology that helped grow my business, by seeing God show up in situations that did not make sense to me, the delay of our relocation to India, and by loss of community that revealed their true pre-COVID-19 strength. That is just my story, you have your own.
The grief and pain have multiplied over this year and I discovered in my personal story, the grief and pain from years past that made it feel heavier. The Covid-19 pandemic became a thorn in my flesh and was heading to my spirit…BUT I won’t let it!! And neither should you.
This pandemic has revealed the good, the bad and the ugly in all of us. Add to that a challenging election season here in the USA and families and relationships torn apart because of it. I think many of us have taken a mental beating that words cannot completely describe. Depression and suicide rates have gone up and we continue to lose people because we have to work harder to include them into our story or take the time to step into theirs.
BUT…
THE STORY DOESN’T END HERE…even though the year does!!
There is HOPE. A new start with a new year, with an added caution.
If you want a new year to be better than the last, (as much as it depends on you), here’s what has worked for me over the years!! 
- I left my pain and anguish at the door (after acknowledging it of course)
- Forgave those who wronged me. (if I didn’t already)
- Learned to dream again.
- Refocus to live into my purpose and vision for my life.
- Seek out new opportunities to serve others.
- Get help in areas of great difficulty.
- Lean into my faith…more than ever.
- Stay true to who I am becoming.
Added caution…
IT WILL BE HARD WORK, BUT IT WILL BE WORTH IT!!
But if 2020 has taught us something it is that we are capable of working hard when we need to!!
In December, on one of our date nights, my husband and I came across the movie Rocketman. A story based on the legendary life of Elton John. We have since watched it three times and have been streaming his music every day. I highly recommend this movie because of how the story starts with tragedy but rolls forward with redemption and HOPE for the road ahead. The journey of a true overcomer!! They appropriately ended the movie with the song “Still Standing” by Elton John
A few lyrics from his song that struck me as I close out this year…
Don’t you know I’m still standing better than I ever did?
Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid
And I’m still standing after all this time
Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind
I’m still standing!!!!
(the YOU being 2020!!)
That is the mantra I am choosing as I begin 2021.
I don’t want the events of 2020 to steal, kill and destroy anything more in me.
Are you still standing?
Not sure how to?
Let’s connect.
You are not alone. We have all been in places where we don’t have the strength to stand, until we see that others are standing with us!! Who’s with me?
Here’s to bidding 2020 a hearty farewell as I take the lessons you have taught me and the blessings that were in abundance as a result!!
Happy New Year…Here’s to Growing Forward Together with you well into 2021 and beyond!!
Blessings,
Kinita
