Start from a position of Gratitude
Its exactly eighteen days left to the end of 2020, and I am sure most of us can agree it has been a rather challenging year in many ways. A lot has happened in the days-gone-by; the good, the bad and the ugly. Despite the mountain of difficulties most experienced this year, it was not all dark and gloomy for everyone. Some managed to achieve their goals and experienced several positive life-changing moments.
I remember at the end of 2019 planning for the year ahead; I was excited and expectant about 2020. Of course, like most, I had no idea the surprise that lay ahead and how COVID19 would literary change life as we knew it. In the same manner, a few days ago, I decided to write down my plan for 2021. However, a few minutes into the task, my mind was in turmoil as mixed emotions played havoc within me. Several questions began coming to mind that made it difficult for me to write down anything. I kept thinking, what now? 2020 might be signing-out, but what guarantee was there that next year would be any different? And if nothing changes then what? Perhaps I was fooling myself hiding behind excuses justifying my failure to meet some of my 2020 goals due to circumstances beyond my control. After all, some despite the challenges still managed to defy the odds and green ticked every goal they set to achieve.
The more I focused on these thoughts, the more I drowned in a sea of regret and self-disappointment. It seemed all these questions were challenging every goal I tried to write down, so I quit the process and shut my laptop. As I stood up a small voice within me whispered ‘why not start from a position of gratitude?’.
Right there it hit me like a slap in the face; I was doing it all wrong. Instead of looking at all that could or had gone wrong, I needed to focus on the positive. So I wrote down a list of all the things I was grateful for in 2020, and as I did that, my entire attitude also changed. In the place of regret came hope. I realised that whatever lay ahead; the best I could do was hope and believe that things will be better in 2021. After all, what is a plan without hope? Because at the end of the day tomorrow is not guaranteed. It is one of life’s greatest gift to see the dawn of a new day.
My encouragement to you today is the same, as you plan for 2021 start from a position of gratitude. Do not let the struggles of 2020 weigh you down, instead take notes and spend more time being thankful for all that went well, no matter how big or small. Count your blessings, starting with the very gift of life because many did not live to see this day!
“Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” Eckhart Tolle
