Finding a Reason to Smile

‘Tis the season to express gratefulness.

But is it ok to be happy when a lot of other people are sad?

2020 has been a year that we will talk about for the rest of our lives. It has been bad on bad for many people on many levels to the point where it is easy to become numb to their pain.

Don’t believe me? I bet you didn’t know this…

The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is the most active Atlantic hurricane season on record.

A total of 31 tropical and subtropical depressions, 30 named storms, 13 hurricanes, and 6 major hurricanes have formed throughout the season. Of the 30 named storms, 12 made landfall breaking the previous record of nine set in 1916. (Source)

2020 has been so bad that this fact has never made it onto my radar because, pandemic/election/social unrest/corruption…

Despite this though, this year has given me a lot to be thankful for. We’ve lost life in the family but are gaining new ones through at least five people in my circle having children in the next two months. I’ve watched other loved ones start their dream jobs, publish books, launch businesses, and become proud plant parents. And it’s been a ton of home decorating/remodeling for everyone during this season.

For myself though, what I can express the most gratitude for during 2020 is time.

2020 slowed me down and I did not realize how much I needed it. With the pace of life around me dialing back a bit, I’ve been able to reassess what’s most important to me and establish new habits (this newsletter is one of them). The extra time has also allowed me the space to reflect and focus.

I will be forever grateful for this moment, even though some days it has been hard to smile or laugh knowing what others are going through. It’s survivor’s remorse I suppose. Or it could just be a bleeding heart.

Whatever the case is and in spite of it, we all still need to find a reason to smile. Tomorrow marks the first day of the last month of 2020. Let’s finish this year out strong.