Are We There Yet? vol. 44

I was reading an article just after the new year began and it provided some ideas on how to reset after the challenging year of 2020. I’ll get to some of those ideas down below. The opening line of the article is “It’s hard to recall if there has ever been as much of a desire to turn the page from one calendar year to the next.” But, as we see vaccination distribution difficulties, the Capitol invaded by a mob, and the impeachment proceedings yesterday, I am reminded that there isn’t any guarantee that 2021 will be significantly better than 2020. I remain very hopeful for better times but try not to get too ecstatic that just because 2020 is over, all of our challenges will be overcome. For me, keeping this perspective is important because I believe that the pain of the disappointment if the challenges of 2020 linger longer than expected will be greater if my aspirations are set too high. 

The article references some of the following ways to reset for 2021. Share with others about both your hopes for 2021 and your gratitude for what you do have. Take meaningful pauses each day to set intentions for the day. The repetition of this habit will make it more likely that your reset takes hold. Try to avoid all or nothing thinking. As parts of our lives improve in 2021, there may be parts that that improve less quickly or not at all. That is okay and not different from any other year. Some days will be better than others. Try to value the journey over the destination. We’ve all heard this many, many times in our lives but I personally struggle with this one and reminding myself to enjoy the journey, and sometimes even the struggle, creates a much more positive outlook for me. Finally, 2020 gave us all time to think about our lives and meaning, sometimes more than we would have wanted. Finding our own purpose can be liberating and help with the reset this year. I’m hopeful and optimistic that 2021 will be better than 2020 and by employing some of the techniques mentioned above, I am also hopeful that I’ll have a positive attitude regardless of what happens.

This week’s selection is:

VIDEO:



Cobra Kai (Netflix)

For those of you who oved the original Karate Kid many years ago, this series is for you. Thirty-four years after events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament, a down-and-out Johnny Lawrence seeks redemption by reopening the infamous Cobra Kai dojo, reigniting his rivalry with a now successful Daniel LaRusso.