WORST. YEAR. EVER!!

I know what you’re thinking. That’s what many will say of the year 2020. I’ll spare you all the reasons why, as there are many and I believe at this point of the year we’ve been inundated with their storylines. Like most, I could easily crumple up the notes of 2020 and throw it in the trash can. Light it on fire, and (you know what) on the ashes! “On to the Next One,” Jay Z would say.

This year brought a confluence of challenges: financially, emotionally, spiritually, and relationally. All aspects of what was once day-to-day, were upended in relative immediacy on March 16th, 2020.

Let us not forget what 2020 came to bear.

In the toughest of times, I believe the mirror paints the most vivid of pictures in reflection if you choose to see it. Let us move forward, but with a keen eye to the teachings of this past year. Was this year really “the worst,” or was it the weakest link in a chain of decisions?

Also, before we move forward into a new year, let us consider this. What if…what if, all things aren’t immediately “better” in 2021. What then? Have you thought about that? Do you or I have the perseverance and perspective to continue on and march through this?

The second World War lasted four years from 1941-1945. This troubling and uncertain time produced what would be labeled the greatest generation. This generation was molded by the hands of growing up in the roaring 20’s, living through the crash and Great Depression, storming the beaches of Normandy and securing victory in WWII. This generation set our country up for what would become the greatest nation the world had ever seen. And boy did this generation have perspective!

We’re not even a year into this pandemic. Could we last four years?

The sermon I was listening to at (virtual) Orchard Hill Church this morning LINK HERE was delivered by Alice and was about “pondering” where we’ve been, what we’ve learned, and how can we carry that forward into a “better” next year. We must look back. We must acknowledge the cause, and not merely the symptom of what got us to where we are, and bring solutions forward.

Here’s what I’m bringing with me:

• Financially – Tighten the belt loop. When hard times hit, companies reduce expenses to return to profitability. That isn’t really very interesting. What is however, is thinking back to 2008. When expenses are reduced due to contraction, they don’t come back anywhere near where they once were pre-recession. Profits follow and the business rebounds. Look at yourself like a business. You are a business! My family is a business and we operate it with ample margin. Don’t go running back to unnecessary or unfounded expense. If you haven’t noticed, society really doesn’t care what you drive or wear in a pandemic. How significant has that been for you the last nine months? Life also hasn’t ended the last nine months without Netflix. Financial Smarts > Scrooge McDuck.
• Debt – Overwhelming debt is crippling. Be conservative in your estimates and ensure you’ve got runway for things just like what we’re experiencing. Here’s a rule I live by. If you can’t pay for it twice, you can’t pay for it. This offers a tremendous blanket of protection and freedom in crisis.
• Time Commitments – For a moment there back in March, April and May it seemed as though everything came to a screeching halt…and maybe that was a good thing. All of a sudden weeks weren’t filled with 20 commitments in a schedule which would allow only 10. I’m not coaching you to keep your kids out of soccer or basketball. Yet a more discerning eye to commitment is possible as we look forward. What brings you joy? Spend your time there!
• Health – I’m yet to reach 40, and I’m confident in saying some day I’d sure like to see 80 and grandkids. Furthermore, I don’t think we’ve seen the last virus to rock us in my lifetime. That said, I hope to be prepared for when it comes. Doing so means following my scorecard I mentioned early in 2020. Exercise. Meditation. Church. Growing my Perspective. Move. Meditate. Read.
• GRIT – Not so shockingly, I was moved to write a post about GRIT in 2020. I was speaking with my six year old son about the challenge of moving into and through hard things. Boy was this year filled with “hard things” to ponder. I felt like every week I was getting punched in the stomach. Although I had many sleepless nights, I will look back and say…hard, undoubtably HARD… but, not impossible. The Only Way Out is Through < – – a worthwhile read here.

I miss Travel. I miss my friends and gatherings. I miss a night on the town in a crowded restaurant and the energy of humanity.

But it will come back.

In closing out the year 2020, I ask for you to look at your keyboard. Look down at ALL the keys. Now avert your eyes to the far right side of the keyboard.

What I’m choosing to do on 2020 is press RETURN, not DELETE. Begin writing the next chapter. A chapter connected to the entire story.

Oh, and HAPPY NEW YEAR 😉