An Optimist's View into 2021

Optimism is about the future. It is not a blind positivity nor is it naïve. It is not seeing the glass as half full and ignoring the half of the glass that is empty. It is the ability to see the emptiness of half the glass while choosing to focus the fullness of the other half of the glass. It is the ability to see the good in the face of the bad. It is the practice of looking for the silver-linings in any cloud. 2020 definitely gave us lots of “half empty” things to see. However, this New Year will be defined by our ability to see the “half full” moments. Some of the silver linings and lessons that came out of 2020 will help us make 2021 a remarkable and inspiring year.

Last year, we learned that no one had the emotional strength to avoid the pain of trauma - any trauma. And the way COVID turned our lives upside down is absolutely a trauma and the way in which people process trauma can be wildly different. There is no one way or right way for us to struggle, but we need to recognize that we mustn’t, and shouldn’t go through it alone.

A swift Lesson for 2021: When we feel stress or strain, tell people. Ask for help. We are much better able to cope when we do it in partnership with someone who cares about us. As important, is to be there to love and support people. Serving others is often one of the most inspiring and fulfilling things we can do in our lives.

A big lesson learned last year was that we can have multiple, sometimes conflicting emotions, at the same time. We can feel sad and optimistic simultaneously. We don’t have to feel guilty about having feelings of hope and optimism when surrounded by sadness. Though we are saddened when we think about lost family members and lost livelihoods, at the same time, we should feel inspired when we think about the stories of courage, ingenuity and love.

Regardless, it came our way. That humility we feel is gratitude. Regardless of how we experienced 2020, we all have something to be grateful for. Every one of us can feel humbled by the love we received, the support we got, the lessons we learned or the people who were there when we needed them most. And when we feel gratitude we are better able to feel optimistic. I am grateful for the amazing friends who have been there for me throughout 2020. I am grateful how much time I got to spend with my family. I am grateful for my team and how we rallied to pivot our business and reinvent ourselves. And most of all, I am grateful how so many people came together to support, look after and serve others with no expectation of anything in return.

I leave 2020 filled with gratitude and a feeling of optimism for 2021.Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and inspiring New Year.

Take care of yourself and others as well.

Dr. Deepak Kumar Sahu, Chief editor, VARINDIA