Before Writing Off 2020, Consider These Valuable Life Lessons

The year, 2020 has been nothing short of challenging. As a country, we have seen despair, disruption, death, and division. The truth is, none of us could have predicted the massive disruption and loss we would all experience, no matter our age, gender or social position.

In January we rang in the New Year with the usual declarations of future promises. Less than a month later we were quickly turned around, stopped in our tracks, as we processed a new social structure that included lockdowns, masks, homeschooling, social distancing, disinfectants, and of course toilet paper.

If you are fortunate enough not to get sick, to have a roof over your head and job that could continue as a remote employee you still had to adjust to every aspect of your life being impacted by an invisible danger that could have dire consequences.

As we approach 2021, with a vaccine on the way to ebb the tide of this virus, I have become acutely aware of what I truly value and grateful for the blessings of good health for myself, family and friends. I am grateful for all my good fortunes at a very difficult time in our country.

Most of all I am grateful for a deepening awareness of truly important life lessons we can all embrace, no matter our circumstances.

As we bring this year to a close, let me share my learnings with the hope it reminds you to take a moment to consider though we may be limited in changing our external circumstances, there is no limit to changing what is in our heart or on our minds.

Learnings to live by:

• Consider what’s important and what is not important
• Being socially distant doesn’t mean disconnected
• That a single commonality can be more important than countless differences
• To take care of myself and my loved ones
• That time is limited and to never take it for granted
• That change can be a lot of things but it’s how we accept it that determines the journey
• To be grateful for what I have 
• To wear a mask regardless of what people think, feel or say
• To tell those I care about just how much I love them every day
• To call those whom we don’t see often
• To take exquisite care of your well-being
• To respect other people’s choices if it's theirs to make
• That you don’t have to agree with someone to align with them
• To focus on what’s most important and ignore anything that doesn’t contribute to my personal happiness and success
• To remove people and places that are toxic and provide nothing in return
• What essential living really means
• What an essential worker really is
• That hope is a powerful motivator
• That hope takes a strong belief system
• That we are all capable of doing more than we know possible
• That when faced with an insurmountable challenge there is always a solution
• That we are not all created equal and that we are not superhuman 
• That achieving the impossible is possible when the right people come together aligned on a common goal
• That divisiveness makes us weak
• That everyone is entitled to their point of view regardless of whether you agree

Let us never forget that life is a journey with unexpected problems to solve, lessons to learn, and experiences to embody no matter the cost.

We learn something from everyone who passes through our lives. Some lessons are painful, some are painless, but all are priceless.

No one can predict what’s next but we can all feel confident in knowing there are those out there who care enough for others and who are striving to make both this world and their community a better place.

Here's to a brighter 2021.

Wishing you a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season.

The Floor Is Yours: 

What has this past year taught you?

Joshua Miller is a Master Certified Executive Coach, who sets up Fortune 500 emerging and senior leaders for future success by upgrading their mindset, skillset, and performance so they can lead with purpose.

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