A few of my friends and I have a group chat. The group chat is serious. Seriously funny, seriously crazy, seriously uplifting and sometimes just serious. You never want to open it at work, in school or anywhere that you can’t bust out laughing. Recently we set our 6 month goals in the chat. That was fun. Then we came to the realization that Christmas is less than 2 weeks away, which also means the new year is right behind it. Here was my response.
“NO! 2021 is almost over and I am struggling to figure out what I did this year besides not die.”
Now I said that a little jokingly, but it is seriously true. I did have Covid and I am still here, Thank God. Also, I do struggle with giving myself credit for the things I have done when I look back and see the things I haven’t done. A negative way of thinking that I need to work on, along with so many other things 🙄😆. I’m going to get there one day y’all.
But the year is not over yet. You and I still have time to complete a couple smaller goals. To have a few more life experiences that will brighten our day. Love lights like I do, bundle up and go see them. Or find a drive through light display near you. The kids are out of school and you are off work? Think of a day trip activity or place to visit. Haven’t seen a friend or family member lately? Schedule a Zoom call, grab some snacks and a cocktail and catch up with them. There is a movie that you and a friend want to see? If you are comfortable, mask up, reserve seats at the theater and go check it out. Or use the group watch feature on Disney Plus.
I think we are always focused on the big accomplishments and goals. We miss the little things right in front of us. I have just as much fun going out to dinner, laughing and talking, with my friends as I do when we take trips together. I get just as excited to see Christmas lights throughout my neighborhood as I do seeing lights from the window seat in an airplane. These are moments I do not take for granted.
The world is literally at our fingertips, yet we don’t take advantage of it. I know the pandemic has changed the way we used to live life. I know, it sucks. But we cannot allow it to stop us from living. We are two years in and the virus keeps evolving and changing. Life as we knew it will probably never be the same. So let’s evolve and adapt as the changes continue to happen. I am speaking to myself as well. I have allowed this pandemic to take me from anti-social to a hermit 😆. I’m exaggerating, but not by much. I need to come back to the world.
If you are still not comfortable being in group settings, don’t let that stop you from communicating with others. It is so many different ways to connect in this time. Google Duo, Facebook Messenger, FaceTime, Verizon to Verizon, Zoom. Video call and open Christmas gifts together. No one should be alone during the holidays and you really don’t have to. Use technology as it was created to be used. One of the benefits of living in these crazy times.
Let’s use these last 14 days to end this year on a good note. Let’s celebrate our wins. New car, new job or a promotion, a baby, a business, a marriage. Celebrate the little ones as well. Running a 5k for a local charity, taking some really great pictures, writing out your gratitudes daily, reading one book a month. Finding your planner for 2022 on the second try (not bad this year 😃). Even if you can’t think of a win, I’ll give you one, life. You made it and you still have the opportunity to live it more abundantly.
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” – Mary Oliver
Well? For starters, be well and whole. Much love 🧡💚