Light in the Dark

Yesterday I was interviewed for a podcast.

It was a great experience, and I was honored to be asked.  We talked a lot about small, daily changes we all can make to work toward and healthier, happier life.  But something in there got me thinking… Well, I suppose I’ve thought about this quite a bit lately, but hearing it spoken out loud by my interviewer brought it to the front of my mind.  She mentioned people wanting to look past 2020, to forget it, to not think about it as we move into 2021.  She’s right-- I’ve heard these mumblings often lately. 

I just don’t think this is the right way to go about it, however.

“What does not kill us makes us stronger”
“Learn from your past”
“Experience is the teacher of all things."

I mean, people have been saying it for centuries-- ‘good’ or ‘bad’, every experience is that, an experience. And while they all are not pleasant ones, there are often takea​ways to bring with us.  2020 has been terrible in a lot of ways. Lives lost, jobs lost, incomes lost, our world as social beings pulled apart, missed occasions and celebrations, the list goes on. None of this is to be diminished in its importance and severity, not at all.  I just want to be sure we look back at how we have grown and what *light* has shown, as well.

This is one of those times I like to pull out a pen and paper.  Go ahead, the blog post will be here when you get back.

Got it?  Okay, so now write any and all positives you can think of that have occurred since March.

Need some ideas?  Well here is my partial list:

-QTWJT aka quality time with Jeff Tente
-Gratitude in being able to see my parents when so many I know couldn’t
-Cleaning and organizing parents’ basement
-Walks because I wanted to walk, not because I was running to 10 commitments per day
-Technology allowing me to teach and train virtually, film projects, and take classes
-Helping some local restaurants getting take-out
-Saving money not having events to attend
-Time to write for myself
-Time to read 
-Reading the news every morning (that’s never happened before)
-Researching so much into the entertainment industry
-Calls that hadn’t happened in prior years with my college friends scattered about the country
-More opportunities thanks to lessened schedules to visit some friends I’d not gotten the chance to spend as much time with over the years.  Backyard or rooftop distanced meet-ups.
-Connecting with people through teaching Pilates online
-Becoming a better runner with gyms closed
-Having the time to stretch and foam roll and take care of my body better
-Getting to really enjoy the Christmas decor since I’m in the apartment all the time (lol)

Have any *bright spots* you’d like to share? Comment below. 
And my challenge to you this week is to be a reminder to others of the good in the year...share a virtual smile, send a card, share a story of hope… <3

​Kate