“Don’t “GO” through life, “GROW” through life. Realize the journey of life is not about being right or pretending to know it all. It’s about learning and growing every step of the way.”
-Dan Zadra
Thinking back to the end of 2019, most of us had our hopes high for the new decade ahead. We had in mind that 2020 was supposed to bring us the most incredible and out of this world experiences. Opportunities and breakthroughs beyond our wildest dreams. I know this to be true for myself! I was certain this was my year as I was stepping into many firsts, many opportunities that would stretch me and build me up.
Well, as we all know, 2020 had a plan of its own. Out of this world for sure!! Most of the plans, ideas, dreams and hopes we had, seemed to be gone. Poof…Nonexistent! Everything around us was out of our control. We were forced to put everything on hold and God forbid… slow down. And oh boy, how challenging has it all been.
The Uncertainty
We have never experienced anything like this before. As Brene Brown says it, we’re experiencing an “FFT” or a “TFT”, a Terrible First Time. And what a first. We’ve been faced with so many unknowns and so much uncertainty in our lives before but I’m sure nothing tops what 2020 has brought us.
I’m sure we can all agree that we’ve been uncomfortable, probably more than we’d like to admit. But let me remind you, we can do hard things.
Adapting
These uncertain moments have allowed us reexamine all we know, who we are and how we’ve showed up in this world. We’ve been given the time to reevaluate the true meaning of life. What matters and who matters the most?
We have been given an opportunity to grow. Yes, grow through these uncertain, messy, uncomfortable, and unknown times. Is it in our relationships? Perhaps! How about in our connections? Yes! The conversations that we have. What about growing deep within ourselves, to sit and uncover the things, feelings and emotions that we’ve been hiding, brushing off or ignoring for so long. This is a time to grow right where we are planted.
We may resist or put up a fight but we adapt.
Grow Through It
These are some bizarre times and I’m not going to lie, they have challenged me in ways I had never imagined. I have been reminded time and time again to use this time to grow, and not only intellectually but also deep within myself, emotionally, spiritually….deep inside my heart.
I’ve needed it and I can assure that so have you. We have been forced to set everything aside, slow down and listen. I ask: What is it that you need? What areas deep within you need to grow? Not for anyone else, but for you?
And yes, this year looks very different but we still have an opportunity to make it our best. Embrace what this time has given you and grow through what you’re going through.