There are certain aspects of a unicorn’s nature that you can always count on, particularly bringing light to darkness, providing hope and healing to those in need, believing with full confidence in the rainbows that will return once the storms have passed… and ALWAYS keeping it real. As I wind down into December’s Christmas-scented magical wonder, I thought it would be helpful to share some of the gifts I’ve received during this wild ride of 2020.
I know I’m not alone when I say that this was the year that I gained laser-focused clarity on the things in my life that truly bring me happiness – what ACTUALLY matters. Like many of you, I’ve been challenged and disappointed in a variety of ways over the last 10 months, but I’ve also been reminded of the GOOD, which has popped up around me in unexpected ways. I’m now at a place where I find myself feeling extra thankful for this “forced life pause” because it has shifted my perspective in some ways and made other areas of my life better.
Here’s a glimpse into my last 10 months of 2020, including 10 things for which I’m truly thankful as well as new experiences and moments of awakening:
- I’m thankful that my true introvert nature got the green light to be freely unleashed into full on hermit mode! Most of you wouldn’t think of me as the shy, reclusive type but truthfully, I’m a private person who lives a public life only because of my passion for helping the underdogs of society succeed. That said, my unicorn nature requires a lot of alone time… there’s a reason we aren’t part of a herd! I absolutely loved having the open spaces and quiet places where I could retreat, free from feeling overwhelmed, which sometimes happens when things get too peopley for me.
- I’m thankful for the uninterrupted time I’ve had with my children. As a previous corporate jetsetter, I was often living out of a suitcase, coming and going at least every other week for the greater part of the year. For the first time ever, I was completely grounded for months, which gave me far more flexibility with my schedule. I took advantage of this time to do something new and signed up as a parent volunteer for traffic patrol at my son’s school! I took multiple shifts and had so much fun. The early morning conversations over egg McMuffins with my son during our daily ride to school were simply the best!
- I’m thankful for the long-lost friends who reached out to me in 2020. Nothing like a year full of so much loss and heartbreak in the world to help you become mindful of the ones you’ve lost touch with along the way. Why did we lose touch anyway? Oh, of course we got too busy and now it feels awkward to reach out with so much time between us. But some of you went ahead and did it anyway. I so appreciate everyone who made that effort and I cherish the connections we share.
- I’m thankful for my unicorn tribe – people with the kindest, most genuine hearts and compassionately open minds. You’re the ones who inspire me daily and add value to my life in the most fun and meaningful ways. Whether you’re near or far, I see you frequently or barely at all, you know who you are, and I thank you deeply from the bottom of my sparkly unicorn heart. The unconditional love, support and positivity you shine into my life is pure magic!
- I’m thankful to my husband David who has continuously kept me laughing and feeling loved despite the many months of being housebound together. I’ve been watching him curiously as of late since his discovery of TikTok. It would appear that there’s a 10-year-old boy buried deep within him that’s very much alive and well, which I’ve found to be unexpectantly entertaining.
- I’m thankful that I gave kombucha a second chance this summer after a little prompting from a friend. I really thought I hated this fizzy, sour mix but then I discovered “Guava Goddess” and it has totally rocked my world. In fact, it has become my new fave bevvie (now that I’ve moved on from the bubble tea of a summer past!) and I can drink it guilt-free because of its antioxidant, probiotic, bacteria killing health benefits. Cheers to that!
- I’m thankful for my health and for the health of my loved ones. Perhaps because we’re all wearing masks everywhere we go and washing our hands like there’s no tomorrow, we haven’t had the slightest runny nose or sniffle all year. Knock on wood! Health is wealth and so often we take it for granted but… Not. This. Year!
- I’m thankful for my sister and her patience with me. For years she has wanted more of my time. She was always someone who knew how to slow down and smell the roses, while I was the person unconsciously stepping on them, as I raced on by in my fast-paced life. She wanted time but I only gave her stuff because I didn’t feel I had the luxury of time on my side. Now I’m giving her the time and I know… it’s about time! We are smelling the roses together now and I’m taking a deeper, conscious breath as I slow down to inhale.
- I’m grateful for my writing, which isn’t always the easiest process but has helped me immeasurably over the months as I combat zoom fatigue. I’ll be published, once again, in the New Year on International Women’s Day to share an important unicorn message (that’s close to my heart) and spread a little more sparkle in the world!
- Finally, I’m also thankful for one of the most heartbreaking events of 2020. Not that the event itself happened but, rather, the result of what happened opened up the door (or perhaps even kicked it down), so that a desperately needed conversation could emerge to address systemic racial injustice. Rest in peace George Floyd. The world is forever changed and we owe it to you to make things right – to make things better – so that true equality can exist for all. You know I’m going to say this: We are ONE!
Goodbye 2020 and thank you for the lessons and blessings. I’ll carry them with me always and promise to be mindful of the roses, as life begins to accelerate once again.