Captain's Log
StartDate: 12/31/2020
File in “Best Year Ever” experiment folder.
Dear Computer:
Why won’t you let me type the words “2020 Best Year Ever”? It’s as if even YOU understand the folly in trying to convince the populace of this concept.
I get it. Hear me out.
If there ever was a year when mindset played a key role in one’s perspective, this was it. While I can’t pretend to understand the sorrow many people experienced this year, I CAN empathize with the mountain range of obstacles these last 12 months presented. The sudden loss of loved ones. Unexpected changes in finances. Furloughs and layoffs. Navigating PPP, PPE and the CARES Act. Masks. The possibility of a vaccine. Disinformation, misinformation, divisiveness and acrimony were the order of the day for much of the year. There’s a litany of reasons to swat aside any notion of positivity attached to the year that was, and I won’t expect much in the way of hosannas toward this attempt to convince you otherwise. If you’re not up for a pep-talk, this might be the time to head back to your Instagram account.
For those of you used to my sunshine and blue skies attitude toward life…
One of the most frequently used words I’ve heard uttered this year is cherish. As I consider how to convince you to find something worthwhile in the dumpster fire that was this year, I’m reminded of the quote by author, feminist and social justice activist L.R. Knost.
“Life is amazing. And then it’s awful. And then it’s amazing again. And in between the amazing and the awful it’s ordinary and mundane and routine. Breathe in the amazing, hold on through the awful, and relax and exhale during the ordinary. That’s just living heartbreaking, soul-healing, amazing, awful, ordinary life. And it’s breathtakingly beautiful.”
Seemingly, 2020 represented the awful sandwiched between the amazing. In the midst of all the awful, I witnessed example after example of people cherishing their relationships, cherishing the opportunity to connect more deeply with those most important to them, cherishing life. As careers and entire professions are reimagined, those participating in that reimagination are fashioning things to be a better representation of what's important, both for themselves as well as for those they're attempting to serve.
So, while we had to cancel a wedding, countless trips we’d planned for the year and lost an entire college hockey season that can’t be replaced, I intend to remember 2020 for what it was; an amazing opportunity. An opportunity to look ahead to 2021 with clear eyes and an improved appreciation for the chance to once again breathe in the amazing. Cheers to all of you that held on through the awful!
Roger has spent 20+ years making complex concepts more understandable for both buyers and sellers alike, and has devoted the majority of his recent career to injecting purpose via philanthropy to his sales and marketing efforts. He’s intent on making the world a better place and his nirvana exists at the intersection of Mission, Passion, Profession and Vocation. He loves the outdoors and seeks memorable experiences whenever possible. Contact Roger at roger@socialgoodpromotions.com or 810-986-5369.