The previous year took a lot out of us. Collectively, we all felt a sizable burden, regardless of the level we were impacted. When we share the area between borders, what affects one of us, will impact the whole of us. If anything, the isolation and proactive strategies for staying healthy made us closer, even through social distance. Things many of us took for granted in previous years, were discovered to have more value than remembered. 2020 was a sort of forced reprioritizing of our lives and needs. This is for those who chose to let it. I am sure we both know those who through stubbornness rejected the inner voice calling for realignment. But what this past calendar cycle did well (if anything) was that it forced us to trek inward in a way we may have not otherwise traveled.
2021 will forever be impacted by that which came previously. This is necessary. But as we rise to a reimagining of life, it is okay to wait to find our rhythm. This burden left on our shoulders will take awhile to fully process. Let it. The results from taking it slowly and doing deep soul work and introspection will never fail us, but lead us to a richer identity and empathy for others. While our experiences of the past might not be similar – we all have our own brand of suffering and frustration – we can still be united in compassion. The human experience is just that; human. There are few emotions that have not been touched by the majority of us. The further we quiet our souls and dig, the more we will find our inner connections in both experience and feeling. As we go back to interacting, be it through screens or in-person, may we be quick to listen and slow to speak. May those perspectives we find foreign teach us, while those which resonate within our soul give us comfort.
It is okay not to have resolutions this year (if this scares you, perhaps resolve to have no resolutions). 2021 isn’t going anywhere. It will still be around when you feel like engaging it. For now, take walks, stay in your pajamas, play with toddlers, and embrace this present heartbeat. Reimagine possibilities, goals, and values. All our lives will benefit from your intentional breath. Take some time to savor the gift this year brings with it.
Love others, but love yourself as well.
Matt simon blog 