The Journey: Moving forward after a difficult 2020

By Samantha Brazie, Special to The Paper

SO excited to say Happy New Year, Paper readers!!

This January, I would like to encourage you to dig deep and if you haven’t already, put some serious thought into your resolution(s) for 2021.

Last year was a tough one but if you are reading this, you made it through. We have made it to the other side of one of the scariest times our world has faced in most of our lifetimes. By ‘other side’, I mean that we can reflect on the fear and hopelessness that many experienced in 2020 and learn from it to move forward.

For example, last year I experienced an overwhelming feeling of helplessness for months. As someone that travels to feed their soul, this was the hardest part. Next was a lack of interpersonal connection with people I have formed close relationships with over the years. I attempted to keep most of those intact but eventually came to the realization that it is not all up to me and what is meant to be, will be. Those relationships will reconnect over time or they will not – but not all of that is under my control, nor should it be.

 I learned to let go, and as sad as it made me – everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about and there are times you will not be able to be there for them because they have to deal with things in their own way. They know I’m still here and will continue to be.

A while back, I talked about the ‘imposter syndrome’ where people have an internalized fear of being exposed as a fraud. This is a psychological pattern that affects a lot of people. Last year it seems that a lot of people realized just what they are made of and fought for it, which was unbelievably inspirational.

This year I’ve decided to start off with the attitude of, ‘it is what it is’ – but where do I go from here? Considering the constraints that are still upon us, how can I continue to move forward in my Journey in the most positive way possible by helping others, supporting the people closest to me and also love myself? I challenge you to include loving yourself in anything you do because if you don’t take care of you, it’s impossible to give people the most genuine version of who you are. Be proud of yourself, not to be self-centered or to look down on other people, but simply out of gratitude for who you are and how far you have come in your Journey.

You are enough. You matter. You are deserving. You are strong. You have the power to change anything in your life that you are not happy with. You are you. As Mr. Rogers said:

“Who you are inside is what helps you make and do everything in life.”

Until next time, friends!

Questions? Comments? Email me at [email protected].