5 Things I’m Grateful for in 2020
I remember, back then on 31st December 2019 my family decided to have a staycation at hotel to welcoming the new year. We are watching the fireworks at the swimming pool which located on the 15 floor and there’s café in it. It’s not just us, surprisingly there’s a lot of hotel visitors who decided welcoming the new year likes we do. When the count down is counting, fireworks bombing, trumpets everywhere, people gathering watching the fireworks, some are busy on their phone, they are taking pictures, updating social media, video calling; some are enjoying the moment with their loves one. And it’s new year ! But, everything won’t magically be fine when the clock strikes at 00:00 and the year changes. But, I always have this prayer in me that I prayed once a year on New year’s eve :
May this new year will be better and kinder and if it gets tougher, let God allow me to have more strength and faith to carry on.
Well, 2020 has been a tough year for most of us. But, as my prayer if it gets tougher, let God allow me to have more strength and faith to carry on. And thank God I still can survive ad have enough faith in 2020. Every cloud has a silver lining, in every difficult or sad situation has a comforting or more hopeful aspect, even though this may not be immediately apparent. Therefore I am telling you my 5 things I’m grateful for in 2020
- Graduated from college
Being a final year student and doing final year project in this sudden pandemic attack it feels like a nightmare. I have sacrificed many things, so that I be able to graduate on time in this situation. Changing the experimental method, the analysis, and things. Doing online discussion with my super busy lecturer, things got super abstract at first but I keep believing in myself and at that time I realize one thing sometimes live is not always about pursue dreams and achievements ( in this case fulfil all my experimental research in laboratory); being at peace with yourself and enjoying the flow where life takes us are important too.
2. A Pause
I have been inside house more this year, and my attention has been drawn to the simple blessings of the day. I’ve also been granted new spaces of time in my life because so many things have been canceled or reduced due to the pandemic. If this weren’t 2020, chances are I’d be rushing about doing all the stuff of life: road trip with my friends, student exchange program, etc. ; and I would rarely pause to notice the gifts of each day.
I am so grateful for the increased spaces in my life — for less busy and rushing here and there, and more settled quiet. More reflection about me and myself, more self control. The world is healing, so do I. This brings me to my third item on the list
3. Refining: patience or frustration
2020 has given plenty opportunities for refining each of us. I have felt it deeply. Especially patience. I was somewhat of a patient person. But, when I need to attend online class by zoom and my connection or others have connection problems and I can’t hear the person speaking correctly. you are presented with a choice: patience or frustration. Some how, online classes bring out effectiveness — well for me it does. You barely can talking with friends because there’s no one besides you and you need to focus on what the person’s talking or it will gone due to the unstable connection :P
It would be easy to live in complaining mode about all the annoying things of 2020. It is why this practice of gratitude is so necessary: we need to adjust our outlook.
4. Time to do other things
The first phase of this pandemic in Indonesia gives me uncertainty schedule to do, the uncertainty of my school schedule, my research, and others. But, fortunately it gives me a lot of free time to do other things that I never ever imagine to try. I had tried to workout before and always failed because I don’t have “much” time to stuck with it, well I’m still trying to make it a habits in this year and throw away my laziness . I’m starting my journey to enjoy reading books, doing watercolor, and learning things like new pudding to make.
I’m grateful to have been able to slow down this year and get the opportunity to do more of those things.
5. I’m still healthy !
Well, last but not least In a year when so many people became ill, I’m incredibly fortunate that my family and I still in the good health condition. But, still we are doing heath protocols and thanks to e-commerce so we able to buy groceries and things just in one click, trust me it’s really efficient and they have best deal too. I’m grateful for the opportunities to help those who did suffer this year with a project called urun ( you can check it on Instagram: urun.id)
Trying to stay positive is important but too positive is not good, something I’m doing by trying to put the present moment in historical perspective. I try to keep things in perspective. Things suck right now, and there’s no denying that. Keep going even to with uncertainty is one of the best lesson I’ve learn in 2020. We are human. We persist, and we move forward. No one said that life was going to be easy.
Let’s inspire others to be able to see behind the severity of 2020 there is always something to be thankful for :)
Thank you 2020!
