feel blessed
Adieu 2020 – A year that will always be remembered by many for years to come!
Yes, this year began with terrible news of the Corona Virus spreading across various countries in the East. Then, it continued to hit every country on Planet Earth. It also went on to take away many lives of those who weren’t able to withstand the contagion. And, to worsen the already depressing atmosphere, there were many untimely deaths of loved ones, acquaintances and popular celebrities around the world.
There are plenty of blogs that list out all the bad, sad and depressing occurrences of this past year. For a long time, even I had thought of writing such an article because it seemed like 2020 was only being creative with its freshly brewed hurtful news each month. And, according to many websites, articles with bad news get the majority of clicks.
But, after thinking hard, I realized that I did not want to remind you guys of the bad things that have happened around us. I wanted to simply help some of you feel blessed for the good things that happened in 2020 instead. Through all our hard times, I felt that some of us should feel blessed despite how the year has gone by.
Personally, I think that we should be thankful to God for:
Despite the pandemic, many of us have a roof over our heads. While some of us are depending on friends and family for financial aids, many of us have shifted base due to a change in job profile. But, we still have a home to live in. Let’s thank God for the roof over our heads.
People like me have avoided calling the regular help which we once thought we could never live without. But, now that many family members have become supportive and understanding, we should definitely thank God for their presence in our lives.
While a number of people were struggling to survive with no food on their plates, many of us were able to try out different cuisines. While some of our friends were forced to eat kichidi every single day, another bunch of friends were sending out drool worthy pictures of scrumptious spreads they were indulging in. We should thank God for blessing our tummies with yummy food.
I was always sceptical about having a second child. But, during the pandemic I realized how important my son’s being there was for all of us. My daughter was happy playing, fighting and giggling with him all day. My husband and I were able to get some time together while they happily played or watched a movie by themselves. Let’s thank God for giving us what we needed before we thought we did. Also, while many kids had to go through counselling in order to get through the lockdown smoothly, many kids are still happy and sane at home although they were cooped up within the four walls of their houses, for more than 5 months. Let’s thank God for helping us help them enjoy what’s around them.
Many of us are living through our teeth but some of us have no financial worries. While plenty of people are hoping they have a regular income from the following month, many of us have enough finances to last us our lifetime. Let’s learn to appreciate our financial stability and thank God for it.
When I visited India on holidays, I would always visit a place known for its beautiful sunsets. During the pandemic, some of us have plenty of photos of the differently coloured sunsets we were able to witness from the comfort of our homes. Let’s thank God for keeping us alive to experience these overwhelming sunsets every evening.
While many of us were in and out of the hospitals for various reasons, some of us did not have to visit the doctor even once during the lockdown. If you belong to the latter, let’s thank God for keeping us in good health during these crucial months. Also, all of us who didn’t test positive this year; let’s thank God for keeping us safe till date. Let’s also pray that, if we do test positive, we get well as soon as possible.
Many of my friends were stressed out during the sudden declaration of the pandemic. But, with God’s grace, all went well and they ultimately delivered healthy babies. Read about one such story here.
While it was difficult for some of us to breathe in our own homes, many of us were comfortable in our well ventilated houses. Due to the absence of vehicles, airplanes, factory work, etc. we enjoyed a lot of fresh air while we sat in our balconies sipping hot coffee. Let’s thank God for the lesser polluted air in our lungs during this past year.
I just began giving individual belly dance classes last year and stopped when the lockdown happened. After watching so many webinars, I finally got the confidence to teach the dance online. It is not the same as teaching in person but it’s going well. Also, we pulled out our son from school and are home-schooling him. Never in my wildest dreams did I see myself home-schooling anyone. Let’s thank God for showing us that we are more capable than we think we are!
My mom would visit us every 4 months. Since September 2019, my mom is stuck in Kuwait due to a false case made against her by the company she worked in for 40 years. They have made several such false cases against older employees because they do not want to pay their huge indemnity amounts. Despite that, in the beginning of the lockdown, we decided to pray together. Let’s thank God for making us realize the advantages of technology and allowing us to pray online with loved ones in other continents.
With everyone at home and no help, some of us have reached dangerous levels of frustration. But, if we have managed to keep our sanity intact all throughout the lockdown, irrespective of the amount of times we have cried in the shower, we have to get down on our knees and thank God for helping us endure this episode in our lives. We also have to thank God for giving us, women, the strength and patience to handle our hubbies who are at home 24/7, every single day ever since the declaration of the lockdown.
In other words, 2020 wasn’t the year to get everything we wanted or to merely achieve our goals. This was the year we were tested for all the decisions we have made in our lives. This was the year to sustain despite the absence of our maids, cooks and nannies in our lives. This was the year to appreciate everything we have in our lives.
Personally, I think that we shouldn’t count our blessings only on Thanksgiving Day but every day of every year. 2020 is indeed a year to remember and a blessing for many of us. So spend time with your kids before they stop wanting you around. Play board games as a family and make it a fun tradition. Appreciate the food you eat and do not waste a grain on your plate. And, remember that God still exists.
What do you feel thankful for in 2020?
‘This blog post is part of SpeakEasy Blogging Challenge by Dipika and Ruchi.’
40 Comments
I liked how you have focused on and brought out the positives. indeed, thanksgiving is a daily thing indeed and not a one time activity.
I start and end my day with gratitude…it only brings more blessings.. like seeing life half full or half empty we should feel grateful for what we have rather than crib for what we don’t 👍🙏
This is so true. 2020 has been an eye-opener sort of. It gave us a lot of time to introspect and be thankful for what we have. Family and health is most important.
This year has been haRD FOR ALL of us. It’s challenged everyone beyond their limits and it amazes me to see how most of us chose to be grateful,instead of cursing the year. I am grateful for the life lessons I learnt this year.
That’s such a nice post for this year as we all face quite challenges but apart from all ups and downs we learnt to survive all and had great family time
Despite all the trials and tribulations that 2020 threw our way, we all have so much to be thankful for. Glad that you have been able to see so much positivity in this year. Hope 2021 brings hope and happiness for all of us. Cheers!
This year affected our lifestyle to a large extent however there really are so many things we need to have gratitude about. Great insights share by you through this post.
True Cindy… 2020 has shown us lots of challenges and we have face it really well. It’s a year to be thankful to God for the lesson he has taught us about life in 2020.
I feel blessed and grateful despite all the ups and downs this year 2020 had. However tough it has been. Your post was a kind reminder
This year has truly taught the meaning of gratitude to us. Simple things that we took for granted, like fresh air and praying, have been a luxury we never realised. Counting my blessings for the goodness in life too.
We often tend to ignore little things in life and 2020 had taught us to be thankful for all such moments. Being with family safe in a home is a blessing. Could relate to almost all your pointers.
Beautiful take on this year. While everybody was complaining, you had a different version and after reading your post, I do feel thankful for all the tiny things we have. We should be thankful for what we have and appreciate it.
This is am eye opener.
Thanks for the post!
I so agree with you Cindy we should be thankful and feel blessed about everything we have despite the pandemic situation. Although the year was difficult but it did give us a lot too
So true, Cindy. I am also so thankful for all that we have especially family together and financial regularity during this pandemic. Children are happy together and sane playing with their grandparents and among themselves.
What a lovely take on the year 2020, and I love how you showed the reality in a positive shade despite everyone has lot many things to say. I agree this is a year to challenge our limits of perseverance and patience. Thank you for participating in #SpeakEasy with us.
The pleasure is mine!
2020 was a different year. But if I have to give one word for 2020 from personal experience then I would say “Eventful”. On professional front, I have achieved so much in 2020. And on personal front, I was able to make many changes that are going to be a blessing for me in one run.
That is awesome, Alpana! Keep it up!
Lovely post! This is a reminder for all of us who are sad due to the pandemic. It’s important to be thankful.
Absolutely agree with you .we must really feel blessed for what we have even during this tough time.
2020 year was the time we actually learned a lot about inner self. I actually feel blessed that i got to spend time with my family.
I am grateful to 2020 because I was able to sort my head and understand that i needed help for my mental health… I am looking forward to 2021 with great hopes!
So true Cindy. I feel grateful everyday during this pandemic for many of the same reasons.
2020 is the worst year that’s mean many entangled things like A pandemic. The death and economic destruction is also on the go. Great thoughts.
True, that the year has been a bad one for the world. But there is really so much to be thankful and grateful for, including the very fact that we are alive. This is indeed the time to appreciate the small things of life.
With great duress, often comes great success. For me personally, 2020 will always be a year of great learning, self-awareness and tremendous opportunity and growth. L
After reading your post, I feel thankful about everything in my life. Am grateful for a roof over my head, for having a family and for being able to retain my sanity. You are right, we have more than we see.
2020 has changed everyone’s life no doubt… Up and down phase seriously we are blessed to be safe it was nice to read the detailed post cindy..
I’m really grateful to God that I received salaries every month and I could keep my family happy and safe throughout the year. I know some people who have lost their job, working hard for their family to stay well. This is a nice post dear. Appreciate the positivity you’ve sent through the article.
These were surely the blessings we all counted upon in our ways throughout the year.
Exactly my point. 2020 bought many ill memories but no use recalling them. First off i really hope your mother gets her due for all the hard work she’s given to her company… God bless her and your family and congratulations on the new members!
And what more to be thankful for than being able to make it through the year! Good writing. Love your positive vibes!
This post is such a timely reminder as the year ends, Cindy. While it has been a really tough year for almost everyone I know, we should be thankful for the blessings you have mentioned. Loved reading this.
Praying and being thankful for what we have has definitely helped everyone to get through this pandemic. You have mentioned such wonderful things that has kept many afloat.
Wow we both think alike. And what a coincidence that we have posted on same day and with similar theme. Agree that we should try to avoid complaint about things that are not in our control. Instead try to be happy with what we have. Hope the new year brings new hope and we get rid off this pandemic and get able to back on our normal lives.
Yeah in both the blog hops we were a part of, we had to post ours on the same day. And coincidentally, we both posted similar types of posts.
I am happy that God has been kind to us and we did not have to go through as much difficulties in the pandemic. We were able to dodge the virus until now and I just hope that we stay safe in the future too. My mom in law is highly diabetic , has high BP and also has kidney issues so we have been so worried all the time. However, we have taken extra precautions, people have made fun of us that we are too scared and that we are paranoid but we did that and we have kept our mom safe so I am just glad and feel blessed about that.
God bless you all. Don’t worry about what people say.
I am really glad, in spite of 2020 not so wonderful year most of us are looking back and are able to see positive things. Difficult times are the best teachers, you have summerised it so beautifully.
Such a detailed post and I also agree 2020 a year we should feel blessed whatever situation it is we faced it and overcame it.