It’s mid-November as I “pen” this column and already the street where I live has turned into a Christmas Wonderland. Three families spent the weekend adorning their homes and lawns with festive lights and decorations, breaking the age-old rule of waiting until the first of December.
I witnessed the progress of their efforts with amusement and some reflection on 2020.
As we turn the page on one of the most tumultuous years in our history, I’m curious to see how we will apply the many lessons we have learned in the year ahead.
For me, this year has been about learning how to set aside fear in order to embrace change. It has been about abandoning judgment to embrace compassion. It has been about turning down or tuning out the noise of opportunistic, radical news and social media in order to hear the profound peace inside my own soul.
Most of us will likely agree that the world will never be the same. Some of us have lost loved ones, others have lost businesses or livelihoods. We have all been forced to stretch our capacity to endure, absorb and modify. We have had to dig deep to discover the bedrock foundation, where no amount of surface turmoil can shake us.
The question as we get ready to leave 2020 and enter another year is – how do we choose now?
Do we stay stuck in the past, casting longing glances over our shoulder at what was, or do we turn the page and step forward to embrace the next chapter of our evolution as humans upon this earth
We have an opportunity, if we choose to take it, to dismantle some of our sacred cows – systems that have not served us well for a long time – and build new platforms and structures to better serve humanity world wide.
It doesn’t require taking down borders, it simply means reaching across the divisions to shake the hands of our neighbours around the world. People who, like most of us, want to be happy, and want the chance to be the best version of themselves.
My prayer as we move into 2021 is that we embrace our best ideas and most loving natures and leave our worst impulses behind… that we take courage from the gentle angelic reminder, “Fear not!” and make an authentic, spirited effort to spread goodwill, love and joy.
There may be steep hills and deep valleys still to come, but as I watch my festive neighbours string another strand of lights, I’m betting on a brighter future and a better world.
Blessings to all.
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Thank you so much for your inspiring editorial. I wonder if you would mind me using a few of your words in a New Year’s Prayer…
Thank you for your kind comment. Please feel free to use however you choose. It’s gratifying to know that I can contribute in this small way. Barbara