It’s officially over!
What an unpredictable year 2020 presented. Right up until the very end. It came at us fast leaving no rock left unturned. Determined to leave its mark in history.
I spent last January helping my little one recover for weeks, telling myself I have never seen her so sick. In February I remember googling Australian wildfires and being vaguely aware of some new sickness taking a sharp toll on the lives of people in China. Then the devastation began to spread around the world. In March, there had been time to brace for impact, but to date, the United States leads as the country most impacted by COVID-19. Not because we aren’t resourceful, not because we weren’t ordered to stay home within days of its detection. The answer as to why lies somewhere within twisted self-serving values, deteriorating environmental conditions, preexisting poor health habits, and prejudices of all types.
Mental health was attacked too. 1.4 million Americans attempted suicide in 2020. Trying to understand the depth of COVID while navigating possibly being out of work, having limited access to necessities, schooling children at home, and grappling with the absence of family and friends was hard on everyone. Social justice issues didn’t help. Although there were 40ish glorious days where the difference between not racist, and anti-racist was understood and most people nonviolently took to the streets to make their stance known. 40ish glorious days.
In addition to everything, there was a continuous nagging political undercurrent. It wasn’t pleasant. It wasn’t simply researching the ideals of and siding with a candidate. It felt like war. With lives on the line literally. The news, commercials, signage, mail inserts, hats, shirts, flags, robo calls, robo texts, memes, and continuous conversations. Nonstop. Left, right, everyone needed to vote. When the election results were (finally) announced I witnessed collective sighs of relief, tearful statements, rejoicing in the streets, also anger and legal threats.
Either way the election is behind us now. There is talk about returning to normalcy but we all know that we experienced an abrupt end to an era as we knew it, and witnessed the foundation of whatever else is to come. Whatever it is we are resilient. We are yet hopeful. As things are looking up but continue to be uncertain, all we can do is to step out on faith. Stay encouraged.
Cheers to 2021.
A native of Phoenix, Arizona Aundrea Sayrie is a firm believer in the power of words, faith and a strong spirit. Her greatest desire is to encourage those around her to discover and honor their truth, and to passionately live on purpose.
Any views or opinions expressed in “Living on Purpose” are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Watershed Voice staff or its board of directors.
