As we tiptoe into 2021, what do we want to take with us? - The Dallas Morning News

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We the people don’t agree on much these days, but there is general consensus that we’re ready to holler, “Good riddance!” to 2020. Before we slam the door on the year, though, let’s consider that not everything was awful.

About 385,000 babies were born each day, according to the United Nations — that’s 140 million cuddly bundles of love and hope in a year that so many have cursed.

Within 12 months of the identification of COVID-19, vaccines were developed, produced and even administered.

We’ve learned to adapt — often when we didn’t want to.

We’ve been reminded of the power of community.

We’ve added layers of resilience.

As we tiptoe into 2021, what do we want to take with us? I reached out to some of my readers, who often share their own stories and wisdom via email, and asked which new habits from 2020 they plan to carry to the new year. Their answers center on themes of mindfulness and community, health and gratitude.

Morning routines have taken on new significance, and they don’t always involve grabbing the phone from the bedside table or turning on the television. Janie Henderson starts her day with a cup of coffee in a quiet place, where she reads a chapter in the Bible and then journals to reflect on pandemic life. Talmage Boston, a Dallas attorney, goes to bed earlier to wake up earlier and “have more time in blissful solitude in the morning to plan and prepare for each new day.”

Health and wellness speaker Todd Whitthorne eschews media of any kind for at least five minutes — but often longer — when he wakes up. “I intentionally think of something and someone I’m grateful for,” he says.

We’ve all adjusted to postponed or canceled plans — and in some cases we’ve learned to not make any at all. Dr. Gretchen Champion, a planner by nature, threw out her calendar in the spring. “This became a coping mechanism and inadvertently taught me to be in the moment,” she writes. “I know that I will go back to planning, but I’ll not forget that these plans may all fall apart. I have become comfortable being uncomfortable and more present in the lives of my family.”

Though we often feel disconnected because of social distancing, working from home and missing big events, we’ve also created time and space for more deliberate connections. Sydney Brainard of Dallas says that in 2021 she’ll continue to share funny postcards and punny emails with friends. “These small acts have been joyfully received and snowballed to my friends’ friends,” she writes.

Dr. Carol Ireton-Jones, a Dallas dietician, is part of a group of colleagues from around the country who started weekly Zoom happy hour meetings. Before COVID-19, they would meet up only once or twice a year at meetings and conferences. “The love and support felt through the Zoom happy hours has been immeasurable,” she says.

We’ve all been reminded of how to properly wash our hands, most of us are wearing masks in public, and many of us have taken on additional healthy habits. Norman Tidmore shares that working from home has given him time for neighborhood walks, and along the way he’s lost — and kept off — more than 20 pounds. He plans to keep walking in 2021.

Kathi Cox of Richardson similarly takes advantage of commute-free days. “The new habit that I picked up this year is an afternoon walk with my husband,” she writes. “Not necessarily for exercise, just he and I strolling along, holding hands and catching up on the day together.”

Just as we better appreciate the light after darkness, health after illness, we’re discovering blessings in the middle of suffering.

Maureen Timken’s husband died six years ago. “I am 79 years old and at a higher risk for COVID although I am healthy. Today I am grateful to be healthy and so far have not been infected,” she shares. “My heart goes out to all of the people that have lost loved ones because of COVID. I, at least, lost my husband due to his health issues and his age. I was able to mourn his loss with people around to comfort me. I now realize how lucky I was. It took a pandemic to open my eyes. My grief has turned into a blessing.”

Like Maureen, I’ll keep looking for blessings in the midst of grief — this year and in all the years to come.

Tyra Damm is a Briefing columnist. She can be reached at tyradamm@gmail.com.

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As we tiptoe into 2021, what do we want to take with us? - The Dallas Morning News
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