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Autumn Road by Patrick Tomasso

It's understandable to see so many taking stock of 2020 now that the year is drawing to a close. That's pretty standard fare for most bloggers, freelancers and entrepreneurs in years that many would consider "normal." So of course, after a year of tumultuous change that pushed a lot of us to our breaking point, a thorough overview of "where we are now" is expected.

Well, that's not this post.

Seriously, I feel as if I've spent the majority of 2020 taking stock, re-evaluating, and re-aligning my goals, my priorities and my life in general that, quite frankly, I don't feel it's necessary now that December 31st looms on the horizon. Whether it was related to my professional career, philosophical beliefs or my lifestyle choices, 2020 left me asking myself the really hard questions most people run away from and not relenting until I came back with answers that I could live with.

That's not to say that I have it all figured out now, but I know not a day went by this year where I didn't feel gratitude for the circumstances I weathered, no matter how precarious they may have been. In the end, I was able to hold onto my job, my home, my family, and my community (for the most part), at a time when many lost so much and continue to do so.

Do I suffer from a bit of survivor's remorse? You damn right I do. But that doesn't change the fact that I know now more than ever:

  1. No one is promised tomorrow, and
  2. We must approach fundamental change from the ground up, whether it be for ourselves or for our society

I've said before that I agree with the adage that the personal is political. But the personal is also spiritual, financial, cultural, and psychological, and it's all connected. I knew this well before the start of 2020, but the lessons we've learned this year have revealed how I can do much more to live it. Re-aligning our actions with your beliefs is the task we've all been challenged with for the next decade in hopes that we as a society will make it beyond the next decade.

I started my transformation this year. When that transformation will end is anybody's guess. But I'm all in and ready to go.

One Way signs in NYC by Brendan Church

But hey, that doesn't mean I've lost my sense of humor or that I've pledged to be all serious all the time. Quite the opposite. If anything, it's a pledge to be more authentic and bold. And with that comes my lighter, sillier, less brilliant side. So let's kick that off with a sharing of all the TV shows I've binged-watched through 2020 (mostly during the stay-at-home quarantine). Baby steps, folks. Baby steps.

I await your slings and arrows, and wish you and yours a bright and happy 2021!

Top Image: Autumn Road by Patrick Tomasso | Bottom Image: One Way signs in NYC by Brendan Church

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