2020 is almost over. We soon will be able to look at this year in hindsight. The old phrase asserts, “hindsight is 2020,” referring to visual acuity. Some visual acuity on the events that rocked this leap year would be much appreciated. 2020 will be a year remembered as being one of the worst years of all time. Political and social unrest, Coronavirus (COVID 19), natural disasters, giant murder hornets, meteor near misses, aligning planets, lockdowns, and masks contributed to making 2020 true to the label. So, as we look at 2020 in the rearview mirror, what will you decide to take away from the chaos that categorized this year?
COVID 19, Killer Hornets, Voter Fraud, Wild Fires, and Hurricanes
2020 In Review
Media sources near and far have reported all the events that have occurred in 2020. I am not going to give a newsreel breakdown on everything that transpired. That would turn into a book instead of a blog post. Let’s just suffice to say it was a lot to take in. My heart and prayers go out to the multitudes who lost loved ones, businesses, and homes amidst the natural disasters, riots, and outbreaks of Coronavirus. Navigating just one of these major events requires much faith and fortitude. I can’t imagine dealing with more than one issue of this magnitude although some have. What I am going to do is break it down into a more personal perspective as we review 2020.
How did these events affect you personally? Depending on where you were when any of these events happened, your personal response would differ from others and my own experiences. Belief systems also come into play in how you might view and react. My faith in God is what strengthened me, gave me hope and a prayer to counter the fear and uncertainties of 2020. All are valid responses. Whether I agree or disagree, it will not devalue either of our experiences. Your loss will still be your loss and your gain will still be your gain. Debating is not necessary. I for one can gladly forego another unruly debate for 2020 as we review.
Let’s begin a more self-evaluating look at 2020 by asking ourselves the following questions. What was the biggest challenge that you faced this year? How did it affect your family and work relationships? Were any of the 2020 events a major life change for you? Did your faith or prayer life grow any? What coping strategies did you use? Which ones worked the best for you? What strategies failed? Be honest. Now would be a good time to pen your answers down. Consider journaling your responses as you contemplate your personal review of 2020.
2020 In Re-do
It is important to understand and validate individual experiences as separate from our own. We can only evaluate our own personal participation in the events that transpired this year. We all did not experience everything to the same degree. Acknowledging our individual response is key in a redo. However, in retrospect, there will always be things that we, as individuals, could have said or handled differently. That much we have in common. Ironically, hindsight is 2020 for us all! In time, this year will bring much hindsight I believe.
Emotional responses are easily evoked in chaotic moments. Stressful situations can short out normal thought patterns. Certainly, we all had a few of those meltdown moments this year. Do you remember any epic fail in particular? How did that affect you? As a result, what would you do differently in hindsight? Is there a failed strategy that you’d ditch for another option? Subsequently, these are going to be the lessons that we take away from 2020. Hindsight brings growth when we take the time to review our strategies. It is of no benefit if we do not look for ways to improve. Redos is especially critical in order to take away anything useful from a year like 2020.
There is always a lesson to be learned in both progressive and difficult times. 2020 is no exception to the rule. While that doesn’t alter the circumstances entirely, it does enable better coping mechanisms to be put in place for the future. Much of what transpired in 2020 was entirely out of our control. COVID 19 restrictions complicate the scenario even more by distancing regular support systems. Consequently, whatever coping options you can redo to be more efficient in your life the better. Learn from the mistakes made and don’t repeat them. Invest some time in revising your prayer approach. Praying for wisdom should be our first option when difficult times arise.
2020 Renew
Merriam Webster defines renew this way, (transitive verb) 1) to make like new; restore to freshness; vigor or perfection. 2) to make new spiritually; regenerate. 3) to restore to existance or replenish
Has 2020 left you feeling a little depleted? It sure has me. I could go for some renewal right about now. Thankfully, the holidays have been a great diversion to restore hope in my life. Christmas reminds me of the greatest gift to humanity, the birth of Christ our Savior. Moreover, the holidays signify the end of another year. Part of transitioning from ending the year is remembering and sharing the good and bad that it brought. We ask ourselves how we grew? Did we meet the goals we set? We share how God answered prayers that were prayed that met all our needs. Likewise, we start transitioning into the new year by setting new goals, expressing our hopes and dreams, and trying to remember to date everything with the correct year.
As rough as 2020 has been, knowledge has been gained. New personal strengths have been learned along with some weaknesses to work on. I have learned resilience, endurance, creative ways to meet needs, and cope. My prayer life has increased as well as my faith in a never-changing, all-powerful God. My peace is found in Him alone. He restores my soul and regenerates my hope daily. In a couple of weeks, 2021 will be here. A new year that will also have trials to overcome and victories to celebrate. However, strength will arise when you turn to the one who is not shaken, nor taken by surprise when things go upside down. Whether it is health, finances, relationships, near meteor misses, giant insects, or natural disasters, God remains with us to guide us through it all.
Use the answers to the questions in the paragraphs above to review and strengthen your coping strategies when stress and chaos abound. Keep what worked and let go of what didn’t. You can research the areas that you need the most help with. Take a short retreat to bring renewal to your mind. It is not uncommon to fast at the beginning of a new year to bring focus and renew vision. Whatever you do, let’s not do a repeat of this year because we didn’t learn anything from it. With your best interest at heart, let me ask you this one last question. What is your take away from looking in the rearview mirror of 2020? Let’s hope it is something useful!