Ask anybody in the entire world and I doubt that they would disagree that 2020 has been a year for the record books. Covid-19 came in and sat down like the unliked and uninvited next door neighbor who smelled our 2020 ambition on the grill and doused our flames with its foolery!

When I see memes that say, “throw the whole 2020 away”! I get it. Parents are stuck at home frustrated trying to teach their kids while also working full time jobs if they are lucky enough to skate by the upward tick and toll of unemployment. Weddings are being postponed. Vacations are being pushed back. Momentous occasions are being reduced to FaceTime or Zoom meetings.

2020 made us (as my Grandma would put it), “Get somewhere and sit down!”

When I was on Facebook earlier this year, I was a loud and proud advocate of the cancel 2020 movement. Friends witnessed me post things like, “Pass me the remote so I can fast-forward to 2021,” and “Just give me Christmas already” –that post was around April.

Interestingly enough, the other day, I paused and got a case of the gratefuls when I realized that 2020 has brought an abundance of good. It has ushered in wisdom, understanding, freedom, self-care and clarity for me.

Yes. 2020, with all it’s drama, disappointment and chaos was just what the doctor ordered for my life.

Here are just a few nuggets of my takeaways from this long and arduous year:

1. There are just some things that are beyond my control, and when things are beyond my control, I should not let it control me.
2. I spend a lot of time at work stacking up sick days in hopes that I can retire early. I learned to take my days. Take them for self-care. Take them to play hookey with my kids. Take them to ride the country-side with my guy. Take them. Seize the day. Carpe diem.
3. Slow down. I don’t always have to be in a rush to do and get done. To check another box on my to-do list. It’s okay to leave unimportant stuff for tomorrow while I still have time to enjoy the rest of my today.
4. Family time is precious and making memories when given opportunities are important. I can’t let the hustle and bustle of everyday life make me forget that the main thing should always be the main thing. Lock-down took away all of my options of recreation and helped me to recenter my joy and refocus my priorities–all of which happen to be in my house.
5. My days are numbered. I’ve had loved ones to die this year, and I have watched dear friends lose brothers and fathers in the midst of this pandemic. Life has an end, and I must be prepared. I need to write my will. Make amends. Forgive.
6. Sometimes, I don’t get a goodbye. Sometimes, the last time I see a person will be the last time I see that person, so I need to make every time I’m with that person count.
7. To have living parents and grandparents is a fortune in and of itself. Cherish them. Cherish moments with them.
8. I need to hug my Black sons tighter. As they get older, 2020 has shown me that the world is a cold place for them to be. I will not resolve myself to fear, but there is a reality that’s called America. For all its beauty, it still has its thorns.
9. Life is too short to stay stuck. Instead of using energy to sulk, I can use that same energy to get unstuck.
10. Tough times are temporary. Good will find it’s way back to me. Storms settle and rain subsides. Sunshine will make its way back around.

Sure, I could have talked about the lock-down, the quarantine, the masks, the Hunger Games during the pandemic trying to find rice, water, sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and toilet tissue. I could have talked about watching the live video of one too many Black men and women being murdered on my timeline. I could have talked about the poor politics, the rage and unsettling human behavior. I could have talked about any of those things, but instead, I divert back to my #1: There are just some things that are beyond my control, and when things are beyond my control, I should not let it control me.

Even though 2020 may not have been all you planned for it to be at the end of your 2019, it gave us some good. You may have to squint your eyes and tilt your head to the side, but I promise you that every coin has two-sides, and every evil has a match of good.

Now, join me in prayer that 2020 doesn’t have a twin we know nothing about called 2021. Yikes!

I’ll see you all in the new year, with all of the wisdom and insight you’ve gained this year.

I wish you all love, peace, prosperity, and, of course, a better year next year that riddled with all the happiness and hope you can stand!

Love, Lexcee