Reflecting on 2020
What are you grateful for?
What have you learned?
What do you want to remember?
We’ve all heard these questions before, and in some sense, they’re not specific enough to inspire us to readily respond. It’s like saying, “Hey, how are you? What’ve I missed?” to someone you haven’t talked to in a year. There’s so much you could say that somehow, it’s just easier to respond with, “Good, and you?” Because even though we’ve had some highlights and lowlights, it’s all averaged out to be pretty good. Or, maybe it hasn’t been all that great of a year, and it’s easier to give a one-word answer rather than launch into a whole explanation.
Regardless of the reason, I’ve found it can be helpful to provide some specificity to these questions to make them more appetizing. Because after a year like 2020, who isn’t looking forward to a jazzed up 2021?
What are you grateful for?
people, places & things
your ability to...
at least I have (or didn’t have)...
What new opportunities arose because of (or despite) the pandemic?
How has the concept of time changed for you this year?
Where do you find faith, hope & love?
What have you rediscovered?
What have you learned...
...about yourself v. others?
...to do v. not do?
...in terms of knowledge v. skills?
...at home v. at work?
What’ve you gotten better at this year?
What new thoughts have you had to contend with?
What motto or mantra have you gained?
What do you want to remember...
...about a certain person, place or thing?
...about self care v. serving others?
...about what you need v. don’t need?
...about an experience?
What from this year will you share with your kids (or grandkids) someday?
What is advice you’ve taken to heart?
How have limits become possibilities for you this year?