Gratitude

It has become so easy these days to become a prisoner to the worrisome thoughts related to this global pandemic.

I have never felt such extreme swings in my mood and outlook. I have felt incredibly perplexed about my future and the world around us. Yet, at the same time, I have also never felt more intellectually and emotionally alive. 

Life has been a “tale of two cities” each day, each hour, each moment.

During these past several months there has been darkness, but there has also been light. There has been sadness, but there has also been an abundance of joy. There remains fear, but there is also eternal hope. It has been a tale of two cities, but when is life any different? 

Many of us have persevered by learning to enjoy life’s everyday pleasures and being more consciously grateful for what we have

There has been a lot of discussion about “returning to normal”.  Quite frankly, I have no interest in returning to the previous normal state. Yes, I want to spend time with loved ones and friends again, and yes I would give anything to see a live concert or show on Broadway. But “normal” in the past was too often defined by a lot of intolerance, injustice, ego, divisiveness, lack of accountability and selfishness. There was nothing at stake to help us be kinder to each other or push us to have the simplest form of empathy. Our normal looked too much like people not caring about anybody but themselves. 

Moving forward, when things settle down, I want something new—where the lessons we had to lean on during 2020 are lessons we keep through this new year and beyond!

As I look back on 2020, these are some of the experiences and perspectives I hope will sustain me for a long time to come:

Miracle of life

My beautiful new grandson was born during the height of the pandemic. From his first breath in this world, I loved him as intensely as if he were my own child. He is a beacon of hope and love in a world too often shrouded in darkness. When he is in my arms, I melt; when he is away from me, I count the minutes until I can stare at him and hold him close again. The times watching my daughter love her little boy have been a joy I can’t possibly describe. 

Stoking my passion

‍Coaching professionals and helping others realize their true potential are passions which have provided me real meaning and purpose. Through my new business, the opportunity to give something back and create a lasting legacy is what drives me to focus on this passion every day. I truly hope I can continue to make a lasting difference in the lives of many professionals.

Focus, focus, focus

Staying focused on my purpose in the midst of adversity has never been more challenging than it has been in 2020. Starting a new career and leadership coaching business in the middle of a global pandemic, with so many people’s professional lives turned upside down, has been extraordinarily challenging.  What has helped me tremendously is getting better at organizing my new business around my top goals and priorities, staying the course and most importantly…visualizing success. Staying focused on the end-goal keeps me from getting thrown off track. 

Quality time with the CEO of our home

I have thoroughly enjoyed the newly discovered happy hours, bike rides, Scrabble contests, Netflix binge watching and phenomenal meals with my wife. We are in the trenches side by side every day, and I think we have done a good job keeping each other and our family around us sane. Our shared values and priorities have kept us mostly off the “ledge” during the pandemic and have moved us even closer to family and friends. Life is a slippery slope most of the time, but when you have a strong and supportive co-captain, as I do, the weight of the journey seems a little lighter.

Right side of my brain

During this past year I have further cultivated an incredibly powerful creative drive, through writing, photography and music. I like to think the part of my brain, which could very easily be consumed with negative and toxic information, is firing on cylinders in a whole different and positive direction. I am hopeful these powerful moments of insight and discovery allow me to share myself in my coaching practice and my personal life in a more vulnerable and authentic manner.

The lovebirds

My son and his girlfriend moved in with us for a few months while quarantining. The experience of watching their relationship mature as they tackled problems and concerns was special. As they moved through the trials and tribulations of managing an internship, job furlough and a career transition, I had a bird’s eye view of all of this taking shape. I am extremely grateful that I am able to take away some very valuable insights and lessons learned through observing them, which I can hopefully apply to my new coaching business, and to becoming a better Dad.

Om shanti

The peace and relaxation of meditation and yoga has been transformative. These moments of deep stillness offer me many more opportunities to be truly in the moment and to learn how to display more grace under fire through all of life’s stressful and anxious moments. I am a novice in these practices, but the physical and emotional benefits I have experienced have inspired me to create a daily habit.

Time is precious 

Each moment on this earth and every breath we take is a gift. I honor these truths by showing more gratitude for the privileges I have, for the opportunities I have been given and for the blessings bestowed on me. I also respect how precious time is by surrounding myself with people who share this same perspective and who look to enrich my life. I have learned to avoid draining, needy, unsupportive and difficult people who bring no value to my life. Time is truly too precious for toxic influences.

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