This Has Been ONE Crazy Year

Look for and expect a better future

“A meaningful life can be extremely satisfying even in the midst of hardship whereas a meaningless life is a terrible ordeal no matter how comfortable it is.” Yuval Noah Harari

No one will disagree that this has been a crazy year. It has been rough so far, and it is not over yet. The COVID-19 pandemic took center stage since the early part of the year. The pandemic is not over. Positive cases for the virus continue with a vengeance. Deaths are continuing by the thousands.

There were shortages of paper goods like toilet paper and paper towels. Disinfecting products were and still are in short supply. Jobs have been erased. Unemployment claims have skyrocketed. People are hurting.

The CDC set up guidelines for safety and to stop the spread of the pandemic. People were advised to stay home and avoid crowds. Lots of people started to work from home, and others lost their jobs. Most businesses and services were closed except for essential services such as grocery stores. Masks were recommended to be worn which caused outrage by some in society who opposed being told to wear masks. Social distancing was encouraged and mandated in some areas. Washing hands regularly and practicing good sanitizing measures were touted. Some rebelled against the guidelines although most people adhered to them.

Since some in government and the private sector were blaming the coronavirus on China, it caused racist rants and actions against people who were of Asian descent. Asian Americans started to see racism escalated against them. They were totally innocent of any wrongdoing, but racist people were acting out against them.

Then as the pandemic was raging, racism reared its ugly head once again with the killing of George Floyd, a Black man. He had the breath taken from him as a Minneapolis police officer held his knee on Floyd’s neck. Racial tensions escalated. There was chaos in the streets of many cities throughout the country. Peaceful protests were held, and riots broke out.

Black Americans, joined by White people and all different races, participated in protests to bring attention to the racism and police brutality against Black men. That was nothing new. People have been trying for decades to make the public aware that these things exist. Those prior demonstrations after the unnecessary killing by police or others of a Black person were held in earnest, but not much changed. Hopefully, this time meaningful change will come.

This is a difficult period of time. We may feel frustrated, confused, exhausted, and overwhelmed with all the changes which have come to the world this year. The year has gone fast for some and slow for others. Those who have been lonely and bored because of isolation may have felt worse about it than those who have kept busy and active even during the pandemic.

If you are still here and able to enjoy life to some measure, you can count yourself lucky. You weathered the storm so far. You can make it for the rest of the year.

If you feel frustrated and depressed, you are not alone. You should, however, try to find ways to make your life more meaningful and worthwhile even during this difficult time. This is a beautiful world. Enjoy it.

Believe that life will get better, AND believe in yourself. Look forward to a better life and a better future. It will come.