enlightenment starts with gratitude

2020 was shitty for the vast majority of people. On top of the pandemic outbreak, we experienced the brokenness of the political and social system on many different levels. I get it, the year sucked. However, I’m troubled by people saying or posting on social medias stuff like “fuck 2020”. I just don’t get it. Would that make everything better? Hell no. If anything, they will only be dubbed with the immature label.

If you want to be overflowed with positivity in 2021, why are you starting the year with so much complaint? Our thoughts and words can really set the overall tone. Your circumstances aren’t your problem, because they won’t last, but until you change your thinking, no matter what’s going on in your life, you’ll be stuck. Whatever the reason for your negative attitude, it has to change if you truly desire to enjoy an abundant year in 2021.

I’m not saying that you can’t rant about the challenges you’ve faced or the hardships that got in your way. However, try to be as sterile as possible because those attitudes and feelings will follow you and make you see your life in a negative light.

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I can’t stress enough the importance of practicing gratitude. In the midst of oppressive opposition and draining negativity from all forces around you, you can still find things to be grateful for.

I know that a lot of these fall into the privileged and not privileged category. I am grateful to be living with my family during this time while others aren’t even privileged with safe shelters. I don’t have to face blatant racial discrimination or work on the frontlines during the pandemic. I’m fortunate enough to have all the basic life necessities. I have the motivation for school work despite the foreign changes. I have the energy to adapt a new lifestyle and embrace the greatness of self-development.

Ah, so grateful.

Everyone has things that at least went right in the year of 2020. There is a time for releasing repressed emotion and a time for acknowledging what went right to give yourself hope for the future.

Don’t stew in negativity and dwell on the things beyond your control. Celebrate how far you’ve come. Acknowledge the fact that challenges are part of the progress on your way of achieving the grand goal you’ve set for yourself.