As the year comes to an end, I hope your vision has gotten sharper, your hearing more acute, your mind more flexible and your attitude more positive. These are the major lessons I’ve gleaned from what I will always think of as “The Year of Doing Different.”
Long ago, I learned to expect the unexpected and welcome change. All of us know that “stuff happens” and that life can “turn on a dime.” This year certainly bore out those statements with the crystal clarity that only 20/20 (or 2020) vision produces.
I’m looking forward with a happy heart to the days ahead and welcome them in all of their variety, having learned that I have the strength, insight and adaptability to map a helpful course through whatever challenges present themselves. All of us have been tested in various ways this year and given the priceless gift of learning and growing through the changes presented to us. I have new skills, better tools, a keener understanding of my needs and purpose, and more awareness of how forces that initially seemed beyond my control can be dealt with in a manageable way. What a blessing the year has been as I reflect on it.
I’ll happily put 2020 to rest with satisfaction in staying the course and refusing to be overwhelmed by circumstances. The last great pandemic was a bit over 100 years ago and a significant landmark in my family. It was the year my mother was born, the fourth of seven children in a small railroad town in the hills of West Virginia. She was a scrappy baby and made it through the Spanish flu pandemic that took so many lives. She carried her family through rough times with grace and resilience and taught us well. Had her mother not adapted and protected her family so ferociously, Mom may not have made it and I would have never been.
As John Michael Montgomery said,
“Life’s a dance you learn as you go
Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow
Don’t worry about what you don’t know
Life’s a dance you learn as you go.”
Embrace the new year and your new life, bravely!
I Care, Barb
By Carol Mac Aulay December 26, 2020
I am so glad your Mom made it through and we got to have you. You are such a wonderful speaker.
By Gina December 22, 2020
Awesome post. Thanks much. 2021 will be an exciting year. Full of promises for all of us. Best wishes for the holidays ❤️
By S. Margaret McNutt December 22, 2020
I loved your article this week. There is encouragement in your message for 2021. I loved your article about your mother being born in West Virginia. My husband is from Williamstown, West Virginia so I could relate to that feeling. I also want to give a shout out to Jackie Cooper because our TOPS club is still not meeting and has not even attempted to meet because it meets in a church that is not having services now. If it weren’t for Jackie doing her weekly messages I would not be connected with TOPS at all. So my hats off to Jackie Cooper.
By Ruth Singer December 22, 2020
I wish you Barb and all the TOPS community Good Health and Happiness foe a better 2021
Thank you for all your inspiring words
Take care and be safe
By Darlene Senkow December 22, 2020
Wow Barb what a fantastic message and gift you are sharing with us. I will be sure to share this with the my Chapter, family and friends. May you have a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thanks for the time you share with TOPS
By Phyllis B. Solod December 22, 2020
Barb,
Thank you for a very difficulty year of wonderful words and keeping us all together. Wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year.(2021)
By Karen Tinlin December 22, 2020
You never cease to amaze me as you give us your words of wisdom. With your unique perspective, you have turned a miserable year of chaos into a year of wonder and insights. May those that didn’t survive rest in peace and those of us who did, be grateful for the joy of life. Thanks Barb!
By Janice Doppler December 22, 2020
My biggest change in 2020 – MINDSET. My original mental scaffold for my weight loss journey was crossing a bridge from where I am to where I want to be, but weeks I gain feel like I’ve walked backward, failed. My new scaffold is sailing. Sometimes the wind blows where I want to go and progress is easy. Sometimes the wind is blowing at an angle and I must tack back and forth to make slow progress toward my goals. Sometimes the wind stops and I wait, until I find a way to catch the wind again. This has totally blown away the sense of struggling to lose weight and feeling like a failure. Am making slow, steady progress now.
By Nancy Gurtner December 22, 2020
Thank you Barb for all of your caring and thoughtful messages of encouragement. Your blogs are something I look forward to reading every time.
Wishing you and your family a very blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with hope and success in the pursuit of all your goals.
By Sarah Rosser December 22, 2020
Dear Barb. Well said…
Thank you for always being SPOT ON WITH TOPS.
Happy 2021 to you and All Tops members.
By mary Marson December 21, 2020
Thank you for putting a positive and new look on this past Trying year.As we all “dance” into the New Year, I look forward to “learning” and practicing new steps
.Best of the season to you and yours from Canada.
By June Sheneman December 21, 2020
Thank you for your hearting messages. Wishing you a blessed Christmas and a great new year.
By Ruth December 21, 2020
My husband was career military and unexpected changes were a part of most of my adult life. Adapting was something that was necessary and I feel has helped me through this difficult year. Thank you for putting into words what I have been feeling lately. I look forward to your blogs.
By S. Margaret McNutt December 22, 2020
I loved your article this week. There is encouragement in your message for 2021. I loved your article about your mother being born in West Virginia. My husband is from Williamstown, West Virginia so I could relate to that feeling. I also want to give a shout out to Jackie Cooper because our TOPS club is still not meeting and has not even attempted to meet because it meets in a church that is not having services now. If it weren’t for Jackie doing her weekly messages I would not be connected with TOPS at all. So my hats off to Jackie Cooper.