When I met people who seemed unaffected by the pandemic or worse, flourished because of the pandemic, I was quick to jump into comparison; “their path was easier, their job was different, they had fewer obstacles…”

My friends can attest to my “passionate demeanour” as I stood on my soap box sharing some not so pleasant feelings, which were out of character for me.

I had an internal dilemma that somehow accepting how things were being dealt with, on all levels, during this pandemic was a way of condoning actions I felt were wrong.

One morning I woke up with the thought – I need to get a grip. I took a book on my coffee table, “Wisdoms of Sundays”, held it in my hands and asked my inner guidance for help in what I needed to hear regarding my dilemma.

I arrived on a page about forgiveness. And these words jumped out at me:

“There was a time when I believed the act of forgiveness meant accepting the offender, and by doing so, condoning the act. I didn’t understand that the true purpose of forgiveness is to stop allowing whatever that person did to affect how I live my life now.”

It was exactly what I needed to be read.

This pandemic continues to humble me – things don’t always happen on my terms, my timeline, my logic, my morality.

The only thing I can control is my commitment to get up again the exact same number of times I fall, trip, get pushed down, get angry or feel lost.

And now, as 2020 comes to a close, I am reminded of the many people I have met as I traveled the globe. There is not one single person I know, who succeeded in their career, family, relationship, spirituality or health that didn’t have to “scratch their way up from a fall and begin again”.

“Getting back up and beginning again are risky. They both require courage and curiosity. And courage and curiosity are born of vulnerability.” – Brene Brown

So, I’ll end with some questions that were shared with me as I review 2020 and enter 2021:

1) Gratitude: What are you proud of?
2) Release: What are you letting go of?
3) Reclaim: What parts of you have you rediscovered?
4) Intention: What is the one thing you are ready to commit to?

My deepest gratitude to you all for joining me on my life journey throughout 2020. I appreciate your openness when I launched Chatting With Patty, Dare to Be Desirable, Body Love and Flitting Matters. These programs were created as I reflected and listened to my heart and courageously acted on what I felt. Without the pandemic, none of this would have been possible.

Blessings and Love,
Patty