I am not a better person than I was a year ago. I’m fairly confident of that, and it’s a depressing realization. So many things in 2020 have aligned against having a positive mental attitude that it’s almost difficult to know where to start. Like many people I’ve talked with, I’ve had days where it was a struggle just to get out of bed. There is a weariness to everything.
And yet I find myself, in the odd moments of the days, turning to gratitude. I am grateful for my health and that of my family, friends, colleagues, and clients. I’m grateful for the deepening of some relationships that has occurred during the lockdown. I’m grateful for the time I shared with my parents before they passed away. I’m grateful that when I think of them now it’s not the beginning of a depressive emotional spiral. I’m grateful for the time I get to spend with my kids and that I’m able to share so many experiences with them. I’m grateful for my kids’ activities and that they so often give me something to cheer for and be proud of. I’m grateful that I get to spend so much of my time helping people in ways that are meaningful to them and to me. I’m grateful that my company can operate effectively in a pandemic because I know so many can’t. I’m grateful to have good friends who are smart, talented, funny, and compassionate. I’m grateful that my wife Erin puts up with my faults and foibles, both of which are probably too long to list. I’m grateful to work with terrific people who are trustworthy, reliable, kind, and smart, among many other admirable qualities.
I’m grateful to exist in this reality, whatever it is, and to see and to appreciate the wonders it possesses. It’s not hard to do so, if I can just remember to look.