Zoomin’ to the New Year

January 3, 2021
Small blocks spell out Review [from] 2020 to 2021 to symbolize the transition from 2020 to 2021

I used to be a big fan of making New Year resolutions. In fact, a few years ago it was the focus of a podcast episode, New Year Resolutions: You must do the things you think you cannot do.

But this new year is different. We’ve all been through the pandemic. We’re still in the thick of it. Everyone is ready for it to end and return to some sense of “normalcy.”

My impulse to usher in the new year in a semi-celebratory way resulted in a Zoom event open to all of my Facebook friends. I can’t say it was a party but hopefully people had some fun; we did have a dance contest donned with PPE to the one-hit wonder song, Safety Dance.

But Zoom attendees were also treated to 15-minute segments of goodness and positivity to whet their appetite. Included were presentations by friends — Rumba with Tina, Yoga with Kristi, Sketching with Nancy, Encaustic Painting with Wendy, Meditation with Ellen, DIY Mushrooms with Jessica, and DIY Edible Cannabis with David.

During the 3+ hour event I also made use of the Break Out Room Zoom feature twice (no, Zoom.us has not sponsored this blog post but I’d be delighted if they would). I wanted smaller groups to engage in brief conversation as well as have the opportunity to meet new people.

The first Break Out Session discussed, “What have you learned about yourself during the pandemic?” While the second session had participants respond to, “What change are you willing to make to create a better world in 2021?”

Though a Zoom Host has the ability to jump from room to room, I chose to stay put for any newcomers. Once people returned to the main Zoom room, I asked how the discussion went and people seemed pleased with their experience.

And now I will respond to those prompts.

What have you learned about yourself during the pandemic?

I have resilience. Don’t know how I got it, but I do, and I’m glad. I need to have many different types of social connections and I’m okay with these being virtual. I am risk adverse and very obedient of public health mandates. Knock on wood, I have been very healthy during the pandemic. Sure, I miss eating at restaurants, going to movies and concerts, and traveling but having a robust respiratory system wins out.

What change are you willing to make to create a better world in 2021?

I want to let go of hurt feelings and resentment and always come from a place of love. I want to accept that I may never understand someone’s behavior and/or intention. I want to do what I can and use my talents to help people feel connected to each other.

Granted, this has been a very difficult time for everyone. We have all been affected in different ways and to varying degrees.

But, I’m not a fan of the memes I see posted on Facebook and other media outlets, i.e. 2020 was a dumpster fire of a year as well as the more expletive-laced sentiments.

I want to view 2020 as a test. This entire world went through something scary and horrific together. Hopefully, we won’t have to experience another pandemic like this in our lifetime. But, we will go through difficult times.

Whether it’s a local disaster, the loss of a friend or family member, or our own debilitating physical or mental health…we are sure to face adversity again.

How will you respond?

Comments are closed.

Glass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D. © 2018