Change is the texture of the universe in which we reside, that is in no way punitive or disciplinary, but rather creative and growth producing.
~ Hank Wesselman
The year 2020 has been devastating in many ways but most of us saw only the darker side of it. Missing all the life lessons that it taught us silently. Undoubtedly, a catastrophic year with millions of people being dead around the globe, economy spiralling down, jobs lost, natural calamities and the list goes on.
Nature was in it’s” Tandava Swaroop” and had come to warn man of his follies that he has been doing for ages.
With all devastations around us, this year also helped us in pushing our boundaries. Polishing us to shine more, to reflect more and to introspect more.
There were damages, uncertainty, fear and anxiety everywhere but the silver streak of hope kept things alive.
One who chanted the mantra “This, too shall pass” and moved on with life emerged as the winner. Going with the flow and facing the storm upfront was what was needed most this year.
Adversity is a boon in disguise. The curtailed freedom, restrictions, new normal taught us many things that a good or a normal year never would have taught us.
The 5 life lessons that this pandemic year 2020 taught us has left an indelible mark in our lives. It has brought a change in our overall thought process.
5 Life Lessons that the year 2020 taught us
1.Embrace the uncertainty with a smile
For me, the year started smoothly with new hopes and aspirations. Right in the first month, there was a change in our lives as we had to shift to another house in the cold up here in North India. I was highly irritated with no help around, twin toddlers and schools being open it was nothing less than Herculean task. Several days passed in agitation, anger and irritation that took away my peace of mind but then I realized everything can’t be planned earlier. Life always throws uncertainties but how we navigate is the key to sustain.
I accepted it wholeheartedly that I have to shift in this cold weather and within a week not only did I packed everything but settled down in our new space in just 10 days. That’s the power of acceptance.
Denial mode never helps to tackle your problems but acceptance does. The same thing happened during initial days of lockdown, now we all are settled down in our cosy corners as we have accepted the fact that this pandemic is not going to end soon.
2.Unravel your hidden potential
Lockdown period brought many challenges along with it, emotional, financial, physical but it also helped us to know our hidden potential. For me, this year was quite an eventful one and I ventured into several fields that I had never dreamt of. From becoming a storyteller to a You tuber to an entrepreneur. Whenever I got an opportunity I grabbed it and gave my best. Today, when I look back, I see myself donning the cap of several roles. I won’t say that I am juggling all the roles like a pro but one thing for sure I am enjoying my new ventures. Moreover, all my ventures were well received.
3.Family is the key to a happy life
Confinement within four walls was suffocating and irritating during the initial days of lockdown but this also brought us close to our family. Redefining our relationship in a more positive way. Bringing us more close but this confinement also lead to domestic violence and a spike in a divorce case where the bonding was fragile.
4. To peep deep inside rather outside
Though I was initiated long back but was never regular with my meditation. But this tough phase, kind of forced me to introspect and make meditation my priority. Today, even in this cold of North, I get up at 7 am sometimes as early as 5 am and do my meditation. It has helped me a lot to cope with my stress and kept me sane all these months.
5.To hang on with hope for a better tomorrow
This year was a roller coaster ride for almost everyone. A couple of months back I too received a jolt when we faced a financial crisis. This gave us sleepless nights as we had unending responsibilities that had to be carried no matter what. But, when Destiny closes a door for you it also opens another for you. You just need to have the courage to enter those doors and keep walking. Last month, I dared to launch my startup along with my sisters “SwarnaUtkala“. A venture to craft and curate each handpiece with utmost care and devotion. A humble attempt to lend a helping hand to Patachitra artists as well as the weavers of Odisha. That’s how an entrepreneur was born overnight. What I learnt from this year is that it’s always the adversity in life that polishes us, refine us and render us a more unique identity.
My takeaway from this pandemic year is ;
” You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
~ A.A. Mine
Here’s a sneak peek to what I am extremely proud of, intricate and unique art from Land of Temples, presented by Swarna Utkala.
Would love to wrap up this post with just a quote that pretty sums up the way we should look forward to difficult times in life.
This blog post is a part of the blog hop #welcome2021Bloghop hosted by my dear friend Swarnali. We, 30 bloggers have come forward to welcome coming year with hope, prayers and love in our hearts for a new beginning.
I prefer calling 2020 an year of learning. Beautiful takeaway learnings you have to continue in 2021. Congratulations and all the best for your new venture ” Swarna Utkala..the tops and kettles really look amazing.
Thanks, Ruchi for the wishes. We, are shipping all over the globe. You can place order with us if you want. A very Happy New year to you and your family.
I’ll surely have a look at the website
Congratulations on your new venture!!! 2020 has indeed brought out the talents and capabilities of all of us and proved that we’re made for bigger things!
Your post reminds me of what my mom used to tell me, to make your burdens a challenge. Indeed, positivity shows you opportunities rather than obstacles. Enjoyed reading the life lessons of 2020, Debidutta. Let’s hope for a kinder and more illuminating 2021.
Thanks, Daisy. Let’s hope for the best in coming year. Happy New Year to you and your family.
This is an amazing positive post. All the best for the startup as well as 2021
Thanks, Dr.Roshan. Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year.
Congratulations for your budding venture Swarna Utkala. Loved the concept and detailing. And undoubtedly “Positivity” is the only takeaway from the year 2020 !
Thanks, Nidhi for the wishes.
Wishing you and your sisters the very best and lots of success for Swarna Utkala . Starting something new as a tumultuous year ends makes you look forward to a new year with new hope.
Thanks, Mayuri for the wishes.
You have well chalked your learnings Debi, indeed the year 2020 has taught us countless bitty things that we might not taken so seriously earlier. The very best things that we happened with us in the most adverse situation is we recognized our own hidden talents. so agree with you on the pointer “peep deep inside rather outside” this thought is actually the root of positive growth. may the coming new year bring all the happiness that you wished for.
Thanks, Archana. Hope this year brings prosperity and happiness all over the globe. Happy New year to you and your family.
Loved your post, Debidutta! The important life lessons you have enlisted are worth treasuring.
Very true, Such silver streaks of hope did keep things alive when nature was in its ‘Tandava Swaroop’.
Hopefully things change for better as we continue to imbibe the lessons learned, and move ahead cautiously.
Thanks, Jyoti for liking the post and hope this year bring more happiness to the mankind.Happy New year to you and your family.
Beautiful lessons indeed. I totally agree with the embrace the uncertainty with a smile. This is the biggest lesson this pandemic and lockdown taught us.
Keep writing and wish you a happy new year
Thanks and glad that you liked it. Wish you a very Happy New year.
Wow such a lovely post Di. I could feel your positive vibes through reading the post. Spending quality time with family, being grateful for our lives, embracing uncertainty with a smile they all are big learnings of life. Peeping inside the heart needs a lot of concentration and 2020 made us pause and breathe. Your learnings are so beautiful and loved reading them all. Thank you so much for joining us in the blog hop. I am grateful to you Di. I wish you a great 2021 . Best wishes.
Thanks, Swarnali . Glad that you liked it. Wish you and your family a very Happy New Year . Best wishes to both of you.
My best best wishes for your New venture, and this year has been a year of learning for all of us I guess.. hope we all take those learnings with us till life. Good luck for the days to come..
Thanks, Payel for the wishes. 🙂
That’s superb. Kudos to your new venture… And what lovely work.. Loves them all. As you rightly said positivitity is a state of mind and is totally up to us to embrace. Adversity truly is a great teacher which teaches us that not all doors are closed ever. I am glad you put the difficult times to start such a great initiative and to such productive use. Hope we all can do that ?. Wishing you a great year ahead and best wishes for all your initiatives and works.
Thanks, Ira. we all went through our own ups and downs . But, 2020 was a task master for sure .Happy New Year to you and your family.
This is a very inspiring and apt post . Loved all the insights and I truly loved the takeaway that you scripted .We have to believe in our true strengths and if realised we can sail through the difficult situation with our determination. The video made me feel so proud. Very nice take on the prompt ?
Thanks, Gayatri. Humble attempt to lend a supporting hand to our weavers and Patachitra artists. Happy New Year to you and your family.
Absolutely agree ! Wish you and your family a very Happy New year filed with happiness , health & prosperity !!
” You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”- I strongly believe in this notion Debi. We tend to underestimate our inner power. and blame it on outer forces. But the truth is once we discover that light inside us, no-one can stop us.
I hear you when. you say that looking back, you feel the satisfaction of wearing different hats. Good luck with your new venture. I feel proud to say that I have a friend who is a woman entrepreneur.
Thanks, Alpana and I am grateful to my blogging community to discover a multitalented soul like you. Your posts as well as your podcasts are great to go through. Got a lovely voice and you have that conviction in your voice. Best wishes for a healthy, happy and prosperous new year.
It is a lovely post. I am sure next year will bring more positivity. I hope you will grow personally and professionally both. Have a great year ahead…
Thanks, Neha for the wishes . Wish you and your family a very Happy New Year.
These are some very practical takeaways from the year gone by. Loved your optimistic approach towards life. Can’t agree more on ‘streak of hope’ keeping the things alive. May the coming year bring lots of hope, happiness, and success in your life. Best wishes.
This year brought in lot of lessons for the entire mankind. Let’s hope for a more prosperous year. A very Happy New Year to you and your family.
2020 has its Ups and Downs. Let’s embrace the change and welcome the coming years!
Beautiful and inspiring post. I loved all the life lessons that you have shared. Congratulations for your startup.
Wishing you a fabulous 2021. Keep shining ✨
I love each and everything you’ve mentioned. Family, peeping inside, being hopeful… That’s so much of what I agree with wholly!
Congratulations on your new venture. This is a very beautiful and inspiring post. Wish you a very Happy New Year and let your new venture shine through
Thanks Suhasini. A very Happy New Year to you and your family. Glad that you found this post inspiring.
Your 5 clear takeaways from this difficult year are awe inspiring!! I completely agree that positivity and the passion to stay motivated, has to be inculcated!! Kudos to your efforts while shifting to northern India in this ruthless winters and conscious efforts to stay healthy and decluttered mentally. Gorgeous post!!❤️
Thanks, Daisy for your motivating and kind words. 🙂