In summary, this year 2020 is a roller coaster ride for me and my family. A bumpy ride at that. Filled with ups and down. Filled with challenges and wonderful surprises. Filled with trials and victories.
But accepting both with a grateful heart made me (and my family) realize a lot of things.
One, that there are really specific person or people that God uses to play essential roles in my life (or in our lives.)
I am truly grateful to them for they became "the rock in tough times."
As I journey through life, I discovered that these people is journeying with me in all sense. They are there when there's nothing special happening in my life (in normal ordinary days), when I am in the peak of my happiness or in the lowest bottom of a pit (through good times and bad times), and most specially when I am tested by life itself.
It is a relationship that is not based on what I have but of who I am.
Simply putting it, they are the "constant presence" in my life. Period. And I plan to keep them for good all through out. So I say, thank you for being a part of me, for being a part of my family.
Second, Year 2020 made me invest in what is essential. And encouraged me to throw out what is not.
Moving out of our old place and into a new one made me realize that, through time we accumulated things that doesn't even have a value. Those things are just rubbish that are cluttering our spaces. I sorted them out. And I felt lighter.
My family is the first essential of my life. 20 years here in France, I invested in myself. My studies and career. Working on week ends doesn't really bother me until I saw how my kids have grown without me noticing it.
I am not saying that work is not essential. It is. But prioritizing it more than my family made me realize that time is really short. And that once you lose it, you can never get it back.
Every week end, when I receive a photo or video of my kids having fun with my husband (bowling, carting, promenade) made me ask myself, "Why I am here and not there with them?"
2020 made me decide to change all of that.
2020 reminded me also, that I am investing most of my time in non-essential things that I forgot how important is my health. 2020 shook me up and awakened me, making me see that I am investing my time to something that doesn't invest in me.
It made me invest in relationships that are for keeps. Relationship that gives me importance, giving me positive look about life and giving me peace and tranquility. And 2020 gave me the courage to throw out relationships or things that are not necessary.
I've learned that in any relationship, (be it friendship, marriage, romantic relationship, or towards family) it is always a two way process. One cannot give and give alone nor one cannot receive and receive alone. Both person involved needs to experience the
two ends of receiving and giving.
For those people who treat me (or my family wrong.) I pray that God blesses you more as much as He blessed me. I am grateful to you and I thank you, for you taught me "to start throwing out pebbles and start picking up diamonds."
(NB: Essential things for me may differ from yours)
Third, that more blessings will come to those with a grateful heart. (And not with an envious heart. I learned it the hard way. So to those with envious heart, tuck them all away, place them in a safe box, throw away the keys and throw out that safe box at the bottom of the deepest ocean.) 100% guarantee, your life will be filled with more blessings you can ever imagine.
Lastly, I realize that no matter how you planned your life, it will never turn out the way you want it. Not unless that it is in God's plan for you.
And because I always believe in the power of words, I want to end my end year reflection with these:
May we never forget that 2020, is the year that empowered the whole world to surpass trials and challenges that made us stronger
Let us be reminded that 2020, restored the "humanness" in each and everyone. And despite it being different and somehow a difficult year for most us, it taught us valuable lessons of life.
I hope that 2020 helped us mend what is broken, form new ones, helped produce quality time and helped in the creation of wonderful memories with our loved ones.
May we look forward to the year 2021, with a grateful heart, for us not to take for granted the assurance of God's presence.
May God forgives, restores, heal, revive and renew us in any aspect of our life that needs forgiveness, restoration, healing, reviving and renewal.
May we anticipate each day with excitement, in order to receive more blessings that are in store for us.
May we invest on things that are essentials because they are the ones that pays the best interest.
May we dwell in the beauty of life and nature, for through them we can discover hidden messages of God's love.
May we be grateful for all the changes that will come, for those dreams that will turn into reality, for those friends that will turn into family for through changes we'll realize that life doesn't stop for anybody.
May God bless us with wonderful surprises, happiness, good health and amazing memories worth keeping.
As I always remind my kids, at all times, "May we chose to be the better person."
And lastly, may we hold on to God's promise:
"For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you hope and future." - Jeremiah 29:11
