Final note of 2021: Optimism
2021 was an incredibly hard year for many people, but I am hopeful 2022 will be better.
Optimism is about the future. It is not blind positivity nor is it naïve. It is not seeing the glass as half full and ignoring the half of the glass that is empty. It is the ability to see the emptiness of half the glass while choosing to focus the fullness of the other half of the glass. It is the ability to see the good in the face of the bad. It is the practice of looking for the silver-linings in any cloud.
ASK FOR HELP AND BE THERE FOR OTHERS
There is no one way or right way for us to struggle, but we need to recognize that we mustn’t, and shouldn’t go through it alone. When we feel stress or strain, tell people. Ask for help. We are much better able to cope when we do it in partnership with someone who cares about us. As important, is to be there to love and support people.
feel all the feels
Another big lesson I learned was that we can have multiple, sometimes conflicting emotions, at the same time. We don’t have to feel guilty about having feelings of hope and optimism when surrounded by sadness. Though I am saddened when I think about lost livelihoods, at the same time, I feel inspired when I think about the stories of courage, ingenuity and love. Allow those feelings to flow, don’t judge them.
Express Gratitude
Gratitude is the feeling we get when we are able to see something we have or were given and recognize that we are not entitled to it. Regardless of how we experienced 2021, we all have something to be grateful for.
I am grateful for the amazing friends who have been there for me throughout 2021. I am grateful how much time I got to spend with my family. I am grateful for my team and how we rallied to reinvent ourselves. And most of all, I am grateful how so many people came together to support, look after and serve others with no expectation of anything in return.
I leave 2021 filled with gratitude and a feeling of optimism for 2022 .
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and inspiring New Year.
Take care of yourself and take care of each other.
Amazing Optimism from amazing friends below
