It dawned on me as I sat down to write this blog entry, that this was likely going to be my last one of the year.  So that got me thinking about all that has transpired and my brain nearly cramped.  This year has just been, well…. A LOT.  I know you feel me on this!

Anyway, I thought I’d share some of what I’ll remember about this year. The not so great and the silver linings too!

The not so great…...

This year started off crappy. January brought concern over a sick loved one (who is doing great now btw!) and the death of my beloved cat/best friend who was with me for 17 years and by my side for some of the best and worst moments of my life.  It is a loss I still feel deeply even nearly a year later.  I know he would have been a comfort during the down times of 2020.

As winter began to fade the pandemic blossomed and changed everything.  Millions lost their jobs. Fear and uncertainty reigned supreme.  Toilet paper and Clorox wipes went missing!  Working and learning from home became our new normal and so many of us wish we’d bought stock in Zoom!

In my world, old anxieties resurfaced and became host to new ones I never imagined.  The battle to overcome them was not fun, but thankfully successful! 

Travel plans we booked with great excitement for late Spring to see family were cancelled and I’m still sad, angry and disappointed.  Hugs were replaced with Zoom calls.

I won’t dive into it in detail here, because it’s been covered enough in the media; but needless to say the events that unfolded in this country with needless deaths, protests to support those whose voices we’ve ignored too long, and a political climate that continues to defy experience and explanation, and on and on; this year has been almost too much to process, but we must and we must learn from and not forget any of it.  No matter how painful.

So how about some Silver Linings!

Despite the turmoil and sadness of this year, there were many wonderful things that occurred.

Many families were brought closer together even if they were far apart physically.  Friendships were solidified over FaceTime and Zoom. People of our nation rose to the occasion to help those in need and to celebrate our first responders.  We were given the opportunity to get real about what’s truly important to us and adjust our mindsets.  What may have been a big deal before, no longer is.  Houses were decluttered, birthday and graduation parades were thrown.  People looked for and found ways to experience joy.  We rallied around local small businesses to do our part to help them survive.  Eat outside! Get takeout! Buy Gift Cards! Donate meals! Shop online! Tough times can bring out the worst in people, but it can damn sure bring out the best too!

Personally, the hubby and I put our cooking skills to work.  I never knew how many things I could make with chickpeas and I’m scared to guess how many five pound bags of rice we’ve gone through. And the coffee! We’ve been ordering and trying beans from all over the country which has been fun, but seriously I think we may have a problem! I’ve also been refining my barista and bartending skills. 

We’ve binged on so many Netflix programs and podcasts I can’t keep up anymore.  We’ve also found out that we are very adept at scaring the crap out of each other without even trying...we need to start wearing louder shoes around the house.  We’ve had fun this year and also leaned on each other a ton. We’re so lucky to have each other and to be safe and healthy.

Finally, my anxiety battle led me to embrace meditation and yoga more than ever, and inspired me to share the benefits with others.  And so this new venture of MEG D YOGA began and I am truly grateful.

If you’ve read this far, thanks for sticking with me.  I hope that as you reflect on your year that you too can find silver linings amongst the clouds. And if you can’t, that’s ok...know that you are not alone and as my dear mother used to say….”this too shall pass”.

I wish you and yours peace, happiness, and health.  

Good-bye 2020! 

2021 we welcome you with hope and open arms!