What rating would you give 2020?
FINALLY, here we are, approaching the last few days of 2020, a year marked by the worst pandemic in 100 years. As I write this blog, I'm rocking my "pandemic casual look" wearing my favorite leggings, my new Bombas slipper socks, and a t-shirt that my husband bought me. The t-shirt has 2020 written on it in big bold numbers, with a 1-star rating below it and a description that reads "VERY BAD, WOULD NOT RECOMMEND."
I love this t-shirt - it makes me laugh. As I reflect over the last 9 months, I can honestly say that on some days this shirt was wildly accurate, and on other days I could have argued 2020 deserved a higher rating. As we approach the New Year's celebration, a time often marked by reflection and memories, I have to imagine you all will be having thoughts similar to my own: Some memories will bring a smile to our faces, while others will bring pain and weight to our hearts. 2020 brought unimaginable grief, fear, challenges, and loss to many of our readers - The fear and sadness came in all different shapes and sizes.
Through the course of navigating the pandemic, Sandy and I consciously created a fourth foundational principle for all the work that we do: Same storm, different boats. As leaders, it is now more important than ever to acknowledge that we are all navigating the storm called "the pandemic”, and yet each and every one of us is traveling through that storm in unique boats, encountering our own unique challenges and experiences. Now is the time to get curious and look: What is it like to be WHO you are, WHERE you are? If you are one of the people whose "2020 boat" included loss of any kind, know how sorry I am, and know that we are sending support and love your way.
So as you begin to wind down and reflect on this pandemic year, I ask you this: As you gear up for 2021, are you willing to consider, that pain and gratitude can co-exist?
I am willing! In fact, I am committed to playing a game called "LOST & FOUND". For every painful or sad memory you identify in 2020, match it with one joyful memory. Alternatively, any time you identify something that you lost in 2020, match it with something you found. For extra-credit, enroll your family members in this game!
Once you've played the game, slow down and ask yourself - what would your 2020 t-shirt say? What final rating would you give this year? My hope for you all is that you become more aware of the things or people in your life that you never noticed before or at times took for granted. WE are all STRONGER as a result of the challenging choices and decisions we've had to make. WE are MORE COURAGEOUS through the tough conversations we've had to have. And hopefully, WE are all MORE CONNECTED to our families, friends, and loved ones as we weathered the pandemic both together and apart.
Wishing you all joy and good health as we embrace and welcome in 2021.
Courage always,
