Overcoming The Disappointments of 2020

Never in a hundred years did I think I would be writing about a disease that has forced the complete shut down of the world. It’s caused me to think a lot and empathize with people and myself about our shared disappointment of how this year has turned out. Let’s recap the outbreak of the novel Corona virus in late 2019 (allegedly with a Chinese wet market as the epicentre):

• The virus made its way to over 130 countries
• The virus spurred a pandemic with panic buying & hoarding of essential items 
• Several countries imposed travel bans and closed their borders
• Several countries limit movement and impose curfews to prevent the spread
• Non - essential businesses are ordered to close leading to mass layoffs
• Humans are instructed to stay in place at home and practice social distancing when they have to be out and about.

Connected By Disappointment

This all sounds stranger than fiction in writing but it is our shared reality right now and quite frankly many of us are disappointed. I personally was disappointed because of the loss of my big or little travel plans for my milestone birthday and other milestone family events. Travel is one of my passions and I was really looking forward to doing it up in 2020. As I’ve browsed my social networks I realize I’m not the only one...

Many people had big plans if not bigger plans for 2020. It was supposed to be this magical monumental milestone year that brought the goal smashing energy with it. Instead a lot of us have been feeling monumentally smashed under the weight of disappointment. How do we deal with all of this? Perspective is one tool that helps.

Perspective

My disappointment  pales in comparison to those that have experienced the loss of loved ones, finances, job security etc. to the Corona Virus. My disappointed plans feel insignificant when I carry the weight of someone who is grieving unexpected losses like these.

Perspective also looks at the new opportunities that can be gained through all of this. This has been a period of regeneration for the environment. There have been so many reports of nature rebounding from our reduced carbon footprint.

This has been a period of increased creativity for so many with people tackling creative projects they didn’t have the time for because of job responsibilities.

This has been a period of education with people pursuing knowledge or subject matter that they never had time to pursue before now. 

This has been a time of getting houses in order; seeing about our own emotional hygiene and the well being of family members and friends. 

This has been a period of spiritual rebirth. Most importantly, people are beginning to revisit their faith, their belief in God and lean into Him.

How have you been dealing with the disappointment of 2020?

~Love God,Live life,One Enkounter at a Time~