Dear 2020: From Me
Photo by Ben White on Unsplash
Dear 2020,
Originally the intent of this letter was to say goodbye to the decade of the 2010’s, all the trials, experiences, and growth. Now it seems more fitting to speak directly to you. Honestly, it feels like a decade as we close on 2020. At the beginning of the year many of us made resolutions and commitments to how we would embrace the new decade. At least we thought we did…
As we close on another year I wanted to take the time to really reflect on what you have provided me this year and this past decade. Without a doubt you have given me the hardest and most rewarding year of my life. Yes, both you and I know this is legit! We were both there!! We know about the trials and jubilation this year has brought.
What’s even more meaningful to me was 2019 also signified the end of the decade. Ironically enough, that decade had been the most challenging and rewarding years of my life. Fitting that you had 2020, our 1st year, to be the most challenging next 10 years of our time on this planet.
This year has tested my values, vision, and principles. For that, I am forever grateful. There is no other way to explain or experience what life will throw in front of you. Ultimately, we can view hurdles as a bad thing or we can view hurdles as our true growing moments. I prefer to view them as me growing, and for that I thank you.
For the trials of this past decade, my heart warms to know how far we have come. 2010 was a hard year where we were in the midst of a recession, and I voluntarily left a career that made it much harder. These past 10 years allowed me to search for what I really value and want in life. Hard: yet, prolific lessons.
The line from Dierks Bently’s song Riser comes to my mind, “the hard times put the shine into the diamond.”
Overall, with the past 10 years you have opened my eyes to the purpose of life. As we go through each stage in our life we learn more about the world, more about ourselves, and more about how we want to live. This is especially true for 2020.
In closing, thank you! Thank you for the challenge which I turned into an opportunity. An opportunity to do something. To do something to make a difference during a hard time. The hard time helped me go to my why’s, principles, and partner with the who’s to help me in the effort. I look forward to what 2021 and the rest of this new decade will offer.
Respectfully,
Shane Ross
P.S. This will not be the last message from me. You provide us with surprises….I feel it’s only fair to have my turn.. Talk to you soon!
