This year is almost over and I am really glad to see it go. I have so many negative emotions about the year 2020. It started off OK, but quickly challenged us in so many ways. Many friends and families have been challenged with job loss and the financial difficulties that come with unemployment. Also, many have struggled with health challenges and even loss of loved ones. Whatever you have experienced this year, I think we can all agree that it has been one unusual year that we are happy to see in our rear view mirror.
2020 was difficult for all of us, but I also had some great things happen for me this year. Good and bad is how life balance is designed. There were many difficulties experienced but also many opportunities for growth and change. When bad things happen in life it is difficult to see any positive, but you can work to train your mind to focus on things that you love and appreciate.
This week, for example, I had most of my family together. My parents are in Florida and we traveled there to visit them. We rented a home, to stay at a distance, and then my children flew in from Dallas. We had a family gathering for the first time in a very long time. My Mom planned an outdoor, masked up, picnic Christmas gathering to keep everyone safe and distanced - to not risk Covid exposure (as much as humanly possible). It was amazing to see everyone together, even with the distance and masks. It was a beautiful day that allowed me to be grateful for so many things.
Things happen in our life, both good and bad. Most of them are out of our control. Understanding that life is a mixture of positive and negative experiences, will help you to accept negative emotion. You will be unable to be happy unless you know sad, so pay attention to all of your emotions and do not fear them. Once you accept both the negative and positive emotion, you will begin to look for things to appreciate about yourself and your life.
As the year ends and we move towards 2021, remember that you get to choose how to think about each day. Starting each day with optimism and excitement is a deliberate choice that you get to make. When things do not go the way that you planned, you get to decide whether to give up or get up.
Start 2021 with gratitude and experience as your goals and things will start to happen for you. Happy New Year my friends!
Here’s to 2020 in the rear view mirror!
Dr. Julie Cappel
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