The first post-pandemic year has finally gone by and the path we have walked has been long. But so has been our achievements, success and struggles. And now, we can finally start to feel things going back to “normal” after a hectic era.
However, with each passing day, new challenges await. In fact, with the new COVID-19 variant, OMICRON, it just seems some things won’t be the same anymore.
But that’s no reason to feel bumped out about. Every change and obstacle in our life is a disguised opportunity for self-improvement.
As another year comes to pass, we take new promises into our spirit and have high hopes for the year to come alongside renewed personal goals. Goals to set our minds to and work through a fresh new year.
On the other hand, truth is 2021 has been a hectic year too: Pro-Trump rioters storming the US Capitol after the 2020 election; Facebook and Twitter banned then-President Donald Trump from its platforms; Kamala Harris made history as the first female, Black, and South-Asian vice president of the U.S.; total number of global COVID-19 cases surpassed 100 million; Myanmar’s military coup to the government;1 Taliban forces take control of the capital Kabul in Afghanistan endangering the Asian country’s future and women’s safety and human rights; death toll of COVID-19 in the U.S. reaches 663,913; and the list goes on around the globe.2
Nonetheless, here we stand at the heart of a new beginning. After all of that, here we brawl with a new president and a women vice president in command, standing up to COVID-19 with several vaccines, bouncing back from the economic crisis and ready to battle some more.
The new year that’s coming up ahead bestows us a chance to look back and reflect.
A small break finally takes place and we stop to take into accountability all the great things we have accomplished (and survived and learned from) during the present finishing year. And, of course, we take a chance to sign up for challenging new adventures.
This is a chance to take back our lives and set up new horizons to reach. We can’t just think about it, we must plan ahead, take action and get involved in the process of evolving into something greater.
After all, as motivational speaker Brian Tracy once said: “Decide what you want, and then act as if it were impossible to fail.”
We deserve to give ourselves an opportunity to grow beyond our capabilities. And for that, we have to set the rules for what’s coming, actually involving and investing time and resources for our future.
If we want to fight for equality, then we must study the most relevant cases of injustice in our society in order to learn, act and propose plans accordingly.
If we want equal representation of genders in politics, economic, social environment, work environments and power positions, we must prepare ourselves in every intellectual aspect of self-improvement and challenge the status quo into being seen and heard.
If we want to stand up for human rights, then we must make our voices echo through every social media, news and political platforms so they act on it and protect the less favored side of minorities.
If you want a better life, a new chance to make things right, then you must work on yourself and prepare for this new upcoming year.
Every one of us lives its own world and decisions are very personal. Only we now what’s best for us.
Only we must analyze our current quality of life and say: “it’s time to get a new and better job”, “time to chase after that raise”, “time to start that new business we’ve always been dreaming about”, “time to move out to a better place”, “time to fix my marriage” or “time to break apart from a painful and toxic relationship” …
After all, we are responsible of our failures and successes. We are the only ones who can turn the tide around to our benefit and make our way to become better persons.
Every mind and situation is a whole new world in itself and we have to furnish the tools to look after something more, something better. And not only for ourselves, but for our surrounding loved ones and community as well.
Although, sometimes, maybe most of times, we don’t know exactly what’s best for us. We keep hitting that same wall of injustice and toxic decisions that prevent us from going forward.
And that’s why it’s okay to ask for help too from a good friend, a trusted family member or even get professional help when things get too complicated to cope on our own. Accepting we need help is the first step into building stronger personalities.
But, remember, that final saying, that final step towards better times and a better 2022 year, that’s yours and only yours to make.
You hold on your hands the keys to new beginnings in this new year. There are no obstacles whatsoever when looking to become a better version of yourself. And if there are, then let’s break them down!
Believe in your capabilities, work on your weaknesses and rely on your strengths to move on. We go as far as we set our minds to.
Where are we now, you ask? At the doors of a fantastic new and great start.
