Reflections 2020

This year has been a stressful one across the board, but there have been many silver linings. With a pandemic raging outside, we have been provided the unique opportunity to look within. Personally, it has been a year of growing mentally. From staying home and just being, to learning to say no, I’ve added countless bricks to strengthen and build my mental fort.

Because I am on biologics with additional health issues, my family has had to be extra careful with whom we meet or what we do. Circumstances taught me how to say No to a lot of things and people. It may sound cliché, but I truly learned what it meant to put the oxygen mask on before helping others; I put my family’s health and myself first. It was challenging, but, even so, you have to make the tough choices in life. There are many times your heart makes you want to say Yes while your mind says No. In the end, always keep the big picture in sight: if you do not take care of yourself you wont be of any help to others.

This was also the first in so many years when we got to spend Christmas at home. For the past 10+ years we have celebrated Christmas in various parts of the world. There is something magical about places during the holiday season, and this year, that place was home! We traveled virtually (around the world, through time, and even across different dimensions), binge watching our favorites like The Amazing Race, Agents of Shield, Somebody feed Phil and Gordon Ramsay’s Uncharted. Cooking at home, we recreated travel food memories too with some of our favorites like British fish and chips, wood fired Italian pizza, traditional Korean style meals – multiple ban chan (side dishes) and all, and a lot of baked goods. We entertained ourselves with playing table tennis, eating takeout at home, and playing carom, every day filled with long chats and giggles. It’s also been the year we celebrated birthdays and festivals virtually. Video calls with family and friends rock! They are the boost needed to get through this time of social distancing.

I finally had the time to try new things and cross off my to do list.  From launching MyTwinklingLights.com to finally learning Pranayam and meditation (thanks to my Ma!!). On days I was worried about family and friends impacted by Covid, just devoting an hour to focus on my breathing and block all thoughts in your mind, reenergized me to take on the day.  It gave me the fuel to send positivity across and be there for them even if I was not able to be physically present.

This year has made me pursue new avenues I had been hesitant to explore. I’ve never enjoyed or appreciated our backyard or the lighted reading corner in my room as much as I do now. The art to just be happy and be good to myself is a very important brick added to my mental fort.

Not to miss, I got to spend a lot of quality time with my daughter!! My family is my strength and now more than ever I realize what a treasure they are. 2020 made me count my blessings – my twinkling lights — and I am grateful for every single one of them. This year has taught us patience, made us reflect and introspect, and learn to seek pleasure in the small things in life.

Here’s to 2021 being a year of positivity, health and happiness!! A Very Happy New Year to you and family!!!!