If you were to describe 2020 in just one word, what would it be? While it was a challenging one for many, some still consider it an amazing one. Did 2020 make or break you?
Today, let’s talk about the word “whole.” Personally, I find that it lies in between the good, the bad, and the ugly. It is built by parts. Before turning a new leaf, let us pause and reflect, what makes us whole?
- Setbacks. Name some plans that you have made for 2020. What projects were you looking to complete, destinations you were looking to see, and events you were looking to attend. that did not push through? How did you manage to work around the unpleasant experiences? What happened to you when these setbacks took place? How was your disposition? How did you choose to handle the situation? We must take the time to process and answer these questions. If we learn the value of facing setbacks, we will not be easily discouraged when life gets tough, allowing us to pivot and move forward after a much-needed pause. Setbacks are things that happen outside of us. While we don’t have much control over these, we can use them as stepping stones. Setbacks exist to help us step up. This is to say that there is always a seed in every setback that allows us to become a better person.
- Struggle. This is the aftermath of our failure to handle setbacks. It happens when we opt for non-acceptance. Unlike setbacks that stem from outside, struggle happens from within. Most of our suffering comes from our wanting to linger onto frustrations and wanting things to be a certain way. But as painful and difficult as a struggle may be, it is an essential component that makes us whole.
- Sacrifices. This is the outcome of what we choose to do internally and what is demanded from us externally. 2020 challenged us to make sacrifices, big and small. Some of these include foregoing celebrating with our loved ones, choosing not to extend hugs and kisses when we see people who matter to us, and having to wear a mask at all times. But sacrifice is self-giving. These make us better and more compassionate human beings. We sacrifice for our loved ones. It also allows us to become more like Jesus because we choose to not only live for ourselves.
- Strengths. There is an old saying that from the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche that goes, “what does not kill me makes me stronger.” Is this true for you? Does it apply to your experiences? What were some of your strengths that were tested this pandemic? What new strengths unfolded? Our strengths also exist to inspire us to live more authentically.
- Self-worth. When setbacks, struggles, sacrifices, and strengths are all taken together, how do these things affect your worth? Many of us have been stripped of things that matter to us, like positions and businesses. This is precisely why it is not a wise idea to anchor all of your worth in a single area of your life. You are too precious only to be defined by a single facet. Always reflect on who you will be if your titles have been removed. Only we can define our self-worth. When the things we value are taken away from us, where is your sense of self built upon? How would you choose to serve God with what is left?
Taking all these into account, what is being whole for you? In our setbacks, let us look at the lessons; in our struggles, let us look at the fulfillment that we have; in our strengths, may we be reminded of our weaknesses and limitations. When these things come together, we will see how we value ourselves and our self-worth.
May the events of the past year open your eyes to see where you are truly anchored. Let not the pandemic define you. Choose to see this as a purposeful time. – WITH PAU DE VERA
Photo by Fa Barboza on Unsplash