The year has drawn to a close, and oh my, what an unusual year it has been. Personally, 2021 stands as a pivotal point and one of the most significant years in my life. I had the privilege of acquiring an array of diverse knowledge and experiencing unexpected events that left me astonished at the rapid pace of change in both circumstances and people. This year has provided ample reasons to express gratitude. Comparing the individual I was at the year’s commencement to the person I am as it concludes reveals two markedly distinct entities. I’ve undeniably evolved and grown into an improved version of myself.
Embracing Transience and Simplicity
A valuable lesson I absorbed was the transience of all things. What comes into our lives will inevitably depart, sooner or later. While this reality might sound stark or even harsh, acknowledging it sooner rather than later leads to a more uncomplicated and enriched life.
Growth Through Challenges: Confronting Thoughts and Emotions
From January to April, I found myself entangled in a cycle of questioning my self-worth and assigning blame for my problems onto others—essentially engaging in actions counterproductive to my personal development. Eventually, I grasped the importance of confronting my thoughts rather than evading them. A long-standing relationship ended, and instead of seeking distractions to evade the pain, I realized the necessity of acknowledging the situation. Rather than bottling up my emotions, I needed to embrace acceptance.
This year also illuminated the fact that one need not internalize toxicity, regardless of how poorly someone may treat you. Many individuals cite mistreatment as justification for subsequently mistreating others, but this reasoning is fundamentally flawed. Remaining true to oneself and breaking the cycle of hurt is possible. The cycle where harm begets harm can cease with us. Even if someone wrongs me, it’s their karma and responsibility. This shouldn’t prompt revenge or retaliatory actions on my part. Thus, this year underscored the significance of proactive behavior over reactive responses.
The Power of Gratitude and Lessons for 2022
My central lesson from this year, which also doubles as my resolution for 2022, is encapsulated in the term “gratitude.” I cannot stress this enough. Cultivate gratitude for whatever life has bestowed upon you. The more gratitude you cultivate, the more enriched life becomes. As is customary, I begin discussing one topic and find myself delving into another while writing. Please pardon this digression, as so much transpired throughout this year that I yearn to document every detail, yet my words often fall short. However, I’m confident that I’ve already explored these lessons in depth in previous blogs over the course of 2021. If these lessons resonate with you, feel free to peruse those articles at your leisure.
I sincerely hope that you nurture self-love a little more in the forthcoming year and welcome 2022 wholeheartedly.
As per my usual sign-off, I’ll leave you with the familiar farewell: Stay safe and remain kind.
xoxo
-eika ©
EIKA 