Reflections

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” This year, I’m grateful for the opportunity to pause and take a look at my life.

I didn’t expect 2020 to turn out the way it did – nobody did. But as we wind down the year, I’m choosing to focus on the positives, on the things I learnt. I probably haven’t been this grateful in my life. I probably haven’t appreciated the things I have more than I do now. I’m so grateful to still have the gift of life, the love of my family, the warmth of a beautiful home and the ability to still do the things I love. Now more than ever, my heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones, those who are going through so much difficulty and pain, those who are finding it difficult to be happy. I pray that joy may return to their lives, that they may heal, and that the good Lord will bless them beyond their wildest imaginations.

This year, I’m grateful for the opportunity to pause and take a look at my life. I see a lot of things I’m happy about, but also a lot of things that need to change if I want to be a better man. I may not be able to fix everything, but I’m willing to start that process of self-improvement.

This year, I got to know my family a lot better. There are lot of things that the fast-paced nature of our busy lives does not allow us to see. I’m grateful for the fact that we had to slow down, stay indoors, spend more time with loved ones, and reconnect in deeper and more meaningful ways. Yes, there were tensions that revealed overlooked cracks in our relationships, but we got to fix them. We learnt more about ourselves, our needs, our aspirations and found ways to strengthen the bond between us. I count myself lucky because I know that there are people who will finish this year even more broken. I feel sad thinking about it, and I sincerely pray that they become wholesome again. That the fractured relationship they have with their loved ones be repaired.

This year (and probably for the rest of my life) I’m grateful for the front-line workers who continue to sacrifice everything to keep us safe. I’m not sure I have the words to fully express the depth of my gratitude. My prayer is that heaven rewards them in a million different ways.

As we head into the new year, my heart is full of hope; hope that soon we will put the difficulties and pain caused by the pandemic far behind us. Happier days are ahead. We just need to believe.

Finally, if you’re reading this, I urge you to remain kind to yourself and everyone you meet. Kindness is what we need to heal from all the things we’ve been through.

Stay blessed.