Year 38: Unprecedented Opportunities from an Unprecedented Year

Today is my 39th birthday.

As I am sure many of you do, I enjoy some reflection on my birthday and think through this last year. Unfortunately, this was one for the record books in all the wrong ways.

My 38th year on this planet started with the COVID pandemic and book-ended with historic winter storms. The unparalleled chaos between those book-ends is well known to us all. We are still learning and striving towards positive outcomes.

Being an optimist, I must ask: "Can you also find the good?"

As I look back on this year, 4 lessons stand out:

1. Family is precious: I have spent more time with my family this last year than any year prior. I don't know if I will ever have these opportunities again. They mean the world to me.
2. Relationships are essential: we are relational beings and need connection. Connecting with others must always be a priority.
3. We can endure: even though we aren't out of the woods yet, we have endured so much. This is a foundation to build endurance on for times in the future.
4. More lessons to learn: there is no shortage of lessons for me to learn and this last year has too many highlights. I will continue to pursue the best version of myself and strive to be someone who brings out the best in others.

When I celebrated my 38th birthday with my family last February, I had no idea what the upcoming year would hold. I look back and reflect on one of the worst years in history. Yet we also encountered the positive in life in ways unimaginable.

As you look back on your last year, what opportunities were unprecedented for you? How can you take advantage of the new opportunities in this upcoming year?

Unprecedented times bring unprecedented opportunities.

Here's to year 39!