Uploaded December 2020 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
2020 was difficult. Seemingly overnight, a pandemic reshaped our lives. We lost a lot of people. It's hard to comprehend how many people. Leaving entire constellations of lives devastated. And we're still struggling with it: it's unclear if there's even such a thing as returning to life as it was. But there's something to learn from this that can lead us to a better future.
And it starts with the realization that calamity is inevitable. It's ready to strike at any time. It's never an "if", but a "when". This won't be the last virus. Or the last unseen disaster. Make no mistake, the universe is going to loose catastrophe upon us until the sun swallows the earth. If you were under the impression that someday you would have no problems or that it's some kind of goal to get there: I'm telling you there is no such destination. And waiting for things to get simpler before moving forward--the "I just need to get past this" kind of a mindset--is self-imposed purgatory. You can get stuck there.
You know, I started 2020 by saying life is literally never going to give you perfect conditions to move you toward your goals, and that it's probably actively going to do the opposite. Well, 2020 sure delivered on that promise. But I also said that struggle is woven into us at a primal level. Not just that it's inevitable, but it actually makes us stronger.
Now, don't get me wrong, hardship can be an awful and ugly thing. Hard to look at. But it's also one of our most potent teachers, and to look upon the face of catastrophe is to look deep into the nature of existence. When things break down, we catch a glimpse of what was making them work. And so rather than closing off, and growing cold, or shallowly distracting ourselves while the world burns--open your heart. And it'll expand and deepen. You'll be holding more pain, but also more love.
Instead of escaping problems on a personal or global scale, meet them head on. Empower yourself with the mindset that no matter what disaster is in front of you, you possess the resilience to get through it. And in return, you will grow stronger and earn the quiet confidence that only comes from being tested by fire. So, here's to being our best in 2021. Come what may.
2020 was difficult. Seemingly overnight, a pandemic reshaped our lives. We lost a lot of people. It's hard to comprehend how many people. Leaving entire constellations of lives devastated. And we're still struggling with it: it's unclear if there's even such a thing as returning to life as it was. But there's something to learn from this that can lead us to a better future.
And it starts with the realization that calamity is inevitable. It's ready to strike at any time. It's never an "if", but a "when". This won't be the last virus. Or the last unseen disaster. Make no mistake, the universe is going to loose catastrophe upon us until the sun swallows the earth. If you were under the impression that someday you would have no problems or that it's some kind of goal to get there: I'm telling you there is no such destination. And waiting for things to get simpler before moving forward--the "I just need to get past this" kind of a mindset--is self-imposed purgatory. You can get stuck there.
You know, I started 2020 by saying life is literally never going to give you perfect conditions to move you toward your goals, and that it's probably actively going to do the opposite. Well, 2020 sure delivered on that promise. But I also said that struggle is woven into us at a primal level. Not just that it's inevitable, but it actually makes us stronger.
Now, don't get me wrong, hardship can be an awful and ugly thing. Hard to look at. But it's also one of our most potent teachers, and to look upon the face of catastrophe is to look deep into the nature of existence. When things break down, we catch a glimpse of what was making them work. And so rather than closing off, and growing cold, or shallowly distracting ourselves while the world burns--open your heart. And it'll expand and deepen. You'll be holding more pain, but also more love.
Instead of escaping problems on a personal or global scale, meet them head on. Empower yourself with the mindset that no matter what disaster is in front of you, you possess the resilience to get through it. And in return, you will grow stronger and earn the quiet confidence that only comes from being tested by fire. So, here's to being our best in 2021. Come what may.
