Gratituesday 12.29.20 - Farewell, 2020

I really wanted to say “Good Riddance, 2020. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out!” However, this amazingly challenging year, was a huge year for growth. Yes, there was a ton of really crappy things, but also lots of good, as well. And so I just say “Farewell, 2020.”

Just over a week ago, I gathered with a small group as we went through Year Compass. We reviewed the past year and created goals for the future. I’m not going to lie, it was a challenge to review the year. We were guided to go through 2020 week by week and note any important event, family gathering, friendly get-together or a significant project. We worked on Zoom in silence, however I had to interrupt and unmute myself when I got to mid-March. My breath was short and I started to get anxious. In March, the reality of COVID-19 started sinking in. As the months progressed and I saw my work prospects melt away, the vast inequities reared their ugly heads. These economic and racial inequalities were always present, but as a white women, I was largely unaffected. It’s amazing what a pandemic will bring to light.

I highly recommend you review your past year. However, it may be easier - or at least less personal, to review this 2020: The Year in Pictures from CNN. I am a visual person, and I experienced a visceral reaction looking at the images. Perhaps you will, too. Here are my weekly lists of gratitudes, victories and desires. Care to join me? The comment section is always open to add your thoughts or your own lists. Go.

Gratitudes

1. Grocery stores close by

2. Social time with my friend, Maria yesterday

3. Hot coffee and tea

4. An internet connection and streaming TV

5. Plenty of food in the freezer

Victories

1. Adding a cleaning schedule to my daily to-dos - and actually doing them

2. Two hundred and eighty-four straight days of Spanish lessons on Duolingo

3. Successfully teaching 8-Angle pose in yoga today - but performing the pose will take time

4. Getting through and speaking with a specialist with NYS Unemployment on the phone

5. Actually getting out of the house - even though I didn’t have to

Desires

1. Putting the items I no longer need online to sell or give away

2. For Maxie to stop yelling and biting

3. More premarital counseling inquiries

4. To finally complete all things renovation, so I can move forward financially

5. For people to wear their masks and be mindful about all things COVID