What can we be grateful for in 2020?
What a year 2020 has turned out to be! It has been difficult in so many ways. Isn’t it great that we have Thanksgiving this year to stop and reflect on what we CAN be thankful for?
So many people say “I’m so over 2020!” There’s a whole industry around how “horrible” it has been this year. Some of the items are pretty hilarious. Some of the items are a bit worrisome (it’s simply not healthy to take up drinking in the morning!) So let’s all take a few moments to consider what we are grateful for this year.
First of all, remember that we are all in this together. ALL of us. When have we ever experienced something like this that affects every person on the planet?
One of our patients asked her granddaughter who is in 2nd grade if she liked being in school again or doing school at home better. Without missing a beat, this happy, social, 8-year old said, “Oh, I like being at home cause I’m with my family more.” Her parents are patients here as well, so we know that it hasn’t been easy for them and it’s been stressful at home, but none the less, their daughter was happy to be with them.
So #1 on the list is more time with family.
Yes, it is stressful. And yes, not everyone has as good of home life as others. But in a strange way, COVID has forced families to spend time together. And we know of a lot of families who are growing, healing, and enjoying much of the time together.
#2: Healthcare workers. Where would we be without them? The stress on this group of nurses, doctors, hospital staff, doctors offices, urgent care facilities, and chiropractors has been immense. And yet, we keep at it because that’s what our mission is – to help people get and stay as healthy as possible.
#3: Netflix and other streaming channels. OK, so we like to indulge like the rest of you. Who hasn’t sat down and watched an entire season of one of the great shows available?
#4: Time to exercise and get outside. The garden industry sold out of most stock early in spring. Pools, from cheap, blow-up pools to extravagant in-ground, were sold out most of the summer. You couldn’t find a $20 blow-up pool anywhere all summer. Bike sales went through the roof. RVs and boat sales were record high. Fishing poles and camping gear sold out. Campgrounds filled up. Did you notice families taking walks or riding bikes together? We even spotted families playing volleyball and football in their back yards.
#5: Restored connections. Many people have taken the time to get in touch with friends and family they haven’t seen in a long time. Of course, it wasn’t in person, but it’s given many people time to reflect on their life and relationships.
#6: Your own strength: It’s been hard in so many ways, and guess what? You got through it until now and you’ll get through it until it’s over, until we all feel safe being together again. We’re not saying you have done it perfectly, but you did it.
#7: An expanded virtual community. Many people have taken this time to try new classes and workshops online which has expanded their network of friends to new horizons.
#8: The internet. Where would we be without it today? Millions of people are able to work at home. We can have live video chats with family and friends we haven’t seen since spring. We have unlimited access to news, music, movies, and social media. (We’re talking about the positive aspects of being online!)
#9: Friends and family. Some of us have a family at home. While it’s certainly not always easy, many people have strengthened their relationships. Some people have had to rely on friends – and this is when you find out who your real friends are. Some people have had to rely on virtual friends or found new networks of people to connect with online.
#10: Your bed. Hopefully, you have a comfy bed and pillow to find solace in. Getting enough sleep is so important to your health. Appreciate how your body relieves the stress of the day when it sleeps. Not everyone has a comfortable place to sleep.
#11: Toilet paper. Just kidding, sort of! Be thankful you live in a place where we take simple things like toilet paper for granted. Where you can drive to a grocery store and have them put the items you ordered online in your car.
#12: Your “bubble”. Most of us have a bubble of people we now hang out with. Your family, perhaps your neighbors, your friends. Be ever so grateful that you have a bubble!
#13: Our country. It’s been a difficult year in the United States. But we have so much to be grateful for. There are thousands of parks. We have beaches, mountains, deserts, forests, canyons, rivers, lakes, and so much more. What an incredible country it is to live in!
#14 Hugging. When can we hug people again? We’ve all given virtual hugs. How grateful are you for the people in your life you can hug? We wonder, how many people will you hug when it’s safe to hug again? Give hugs to the people you can – it’s actually really good for your immune system!
The bottom line is, no matter who you are, or what your circumstances are, there are many things to be grateful for. Look for the simple things, look for the miracles around you.
We appreciate you, our amazing patients who make our job here at WOW so fulfilling.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Dr. Keiser, Dr. Shannon, Dr. Harris, and Dr. Hughes, our amazing staff. and all of our practitioners.
