Grateful Celebrations in 2020

It is without any doubt that this has been a peculiar and challenging year. The effects of the Pandemic have been so far reaching, and impacted everyone's life in some way, shape or form. I guess it was around the halfway point of the year when I began to see articles, memes and even merchandise surrounding the notion that 2020 has been the Most Horrible Year Ever. In almost a knee-jerk reaction, I immediately agreed, and sometimes shared that sentiment with beleaguered enthusiasm and without much additional thought beyond that. 

But then, I slowly began to analyze it and consider it some more, and how it has directly impacted me and my life thus far. And it I came to realize that in the grand scheme of things, and in comparison to others, it has decidedly not been the most difficult or worst year. In fact, in a lot of ways, it's the polar opposite and with much to celebrate. But it's hard to not come across as being self absorbed and tone deaf to the general state of things with those celebrations. Indeed, life has been largely interrupted in so many ways, but life has also progressed for so many. Milestones and major life events are still happening, and they're still worth celebrating. And by that, I mean recognizing and sharing wonderful, happy news. Grateful celebrations. I do not mean or endorse literal celebrations of large gatherings that puts health and safety in jeopardy. 

2020 has not all been doom and gloom in my world, and I share the most noteworthy examples of that here. 

Health - First and foremost, family and friends, as well as myself - we are generally healthy overall. At this writing the few known instances of those in my life's general orbit and who have been touched by COVID-19 are doing alright and were never hospitalized, which in itself is a victory. Although lingering challenges and uncertainty does remain, but this is generally true for all who catch the virus, as this is still very much in its infancy stage. The stark reality is that we just don't know how this will affect survivors in the years to come. Nevertheless - I am grateful they're still here. Good health is always somewhat precarious, but it hangs in a extremely precious balance now. I don't take this lightly and am grateful for it each day, perhaps now more than ever before. 

A New Home Life - Brian and I moved into our place last December, when the virus was just making some sparse headlines and still presumably isolated to China. Who would have known what was to come a few short months later? It's been an exciting and wonderful time for us, as we had not lived together for nearly a decade. This has been our time to begin a new chapter, and it's often been hard to share or celebrate that in light of all the unpredictability, anxiety and uncertainty that's transpired due to COVID-19, and in an eerie, almost concurrent timeline. We only had a couple of months of "normalcy" in the Before Times and still getting acclamated to our new environment before it all hit the fan. I often think back to moving in last December and how it's all played out since then, and I am so grateful and in awe that it worked out for us the way it did. For the first time in a long time, the stars aligned for us, and we're together, which is how it's meant to be. For that, I am supremely grateful.

The Career Move: I haven't said much here on the blog about this, other than brief mentions. About a year ago, I sought to make a move career-wise by staying with the company, but shifting to a different department. After eight years, I had grown increasingly disenchanted, uninspired and burnt out in my role in IT. There's a lot that goes into this, but suffice to say, it was time for a move from a position where I had no support system, goals, or any chance of upward mobility. It's a soul sucking, demoralizing experience. Thankfully, the wheels of change were in motion. The company was growing and allowing for more opportunities overall. Part of my role that could naturally travel with me was more of a Marketing function than an IT one. With a bit of courage and some risk involved, I reached out to trusted colleagues in the department and inquired. It took no time at all, and it was a done deal. I had a brief transition period but was officially moved to Marketing by January. I cannot stress enough how impactful that change has been for me, as well as my physical and mental health. Having true support and a team mentality has been so foreign to me. I am now part of an amazing group of people who fosters learning, growth and opportunity for all. It has been a night and day experience, but in light of the timing with everything else, I've largely kept my excitement under wraps. But it has been cause for much celebration and for that, I am extremely grateful and humbled. 

So, there you have it. In a year that's been marked by such anxiety-ridden uncertainty and extreme challenges, I contend that there has been, and always will be something worth noting and celebrating. There is always something for which to be grateful. If the extreme uncertainty and volatility of this year teaches us anything, it's that we should recognize, embrace and share these celebrations even more, even if you don't want to share them publicly or broadcast them on social media. But if you do want to share, feel free to do so here! 

What are you celebrating and most grateful for in 2020?