2020, I’m not giving up on you!

I know 2020 has not been kind for lots of reasons. I see a lot of things out there in social media land that indicate people are ready to move on to 2021.

Don’t get me wrong: It’s not like 2020 has personally been necessarily good to me, either. I have had my share of difficulties. In fact, these challenges have been some of the worst I’ve faced.

Still, I refuse to give up on 2020.

Here’s what gives me hope.

The biggest thing that helps me is my faith. Faith, by definition, is believing in something without evidence. For me, I put my faith in my relationship with Jesus. Even though I wish it were true, I understand that everyone doesn’t believe the same way. Still, I’d imagine many of you put your faith into something (e.g., perhaps others, science, or politicians—God help us!). Still, my faith gives me comfort. It helps me take the focus of life and its many problems off of myself and puts my actions to work in spreading love and trying to live the best life I can according to Biblical principles. Yes, I fall short all the time. Technically, we all do. Faith is not easy, but it gives me purpose. It makes it so things aren’t about me. In my opinion, they’re not.

Another thing that gives me hope is my family. I write this not because things have been easy this year. There have been challenges. There have been old ones that crept back up and new ones, too. I would even say I had one of my darkest periods in years this year. So, no, things have not been easy. But, you know what? I am so grateful for the extra time we’ve had together as a family. Unfortunately, we’ve not been able to go on one of these cool vacations we see on social media. We’ve certainly found benefits in our “staycation.” I’ve been able to deepen relationships with my wife and kids. That gives me hope.

Similarly, my friends give me hope. I read the Bible and see how Jesus hung out with a small group of people. Even though I have friends spread out from one side of the States to another, I have been able to enrich those relationships. My small group of friends is not located in one area. Since we’ve been in East Tennessee, I have been blessed to have made some new friends. In fact, the good friends I’ve made here are mostly not “here,” meaning they don’t necessarily live nearby. Still, I believe my relationships are better now than prior to 2020.

I know 2020 has not been easy. Covid-19 has been unlike anything I’ve ever encountered, and I’d bet many of you would say the same thing. The hardships I’ve encountered this year thankfully have not been due to Covid-19. Just like with Covid-19, I think we give too much credit to things that aren’t responsible (check out this example). Could it be that the things you find difficult about 2020 may not entirely be due to Covid-19? I remember my mom telling me, “You’re wishing your life away.” I get it. I see posts about November. I see posts about 2021.

What if you focused on today, this very moment, rather than November or 2021? Find things to enjoy right now. Where is your gratitude? For me, it’s in my faith, family, and friends. They give me purpose and meaning; they give me lots of joy; and they give me something to look forward to on a daily basis.

We really have a choice about how we consider things. Sometimes, the choice is not an easy one; I know. If things are really bad for you, please seek help. There are lots of ways now to get help.

If things are not dire for you or your family, how can you push your perspective to see things differently? What helps you see good in difficult times? What gives you purpose and meaning? Where do you find support?

In the meantime, 2020, I’m not giving up on you!

#COVID #Challenges #Politics #Love #Jesus #Faith #Family #Friends #Perspective