The Storm

 

The year that was. 

We will all remember this year primarily as the year of loss (my year started early on December 18th, 2019 as I was let go from my job). 

Everyone lost something. Some lost more than others. Some are permanent and some are temporary. Some losses carry heavier burdens and larger collateral damage in their wake. 

Personally, I have lost family members, lost friends, lost money, lost my job, lost a part of myself. 

When you look back in your life during difficult times, when you were in the middle of the storm, you asked yourself "how am I going to survive."  How am I going to get through this?  

It's difficult to see your way through while you are in the eye of the storm. 

Haruki Murakami, a Japanese philosopher/writer once wrote;

"And once the storm is over, you won't remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive.  You won't even be sure whether the storm is really over.  But one thing is certain.  When you come out of the storm, you won't be the same person who walked in.  That's what this storm's all about."

That's what this storm is all about. 

At the end of the day persevere, fight through, keep moving forward.  You have to. We have to. Life is too precious not to. 

Let 2020 stay in our minds, hearts, and souls as a permanent crack in our foundation. Focus on that crack. Make it stronger. Make it unbreakable.  Make it the strongest part of who you are.  

Athletes say that when they rehab an injury, that area becomes stronger. 

Welcome to 2021.  A time to rehab.  A time to heal.  A time to grow.  A new time. 

 

 

Plateaus are the Worst

 

"I don't want to plateau." 

"No.  Plateaus are the worst." 

The charming, flirtatious discourse between Beth Harmon and Townes in "The Queen's Gambit" is poignant to the storyline (no spoilers) but also is poignant to life (yes, art does imitate life and vice versa). 

To plateau is actually an oxymoron in itself.  You have reached either an objective or subjective high ground so you have accomplished something; to a point.  But, you cease to grow.  You cease to push past that point.  As they say, you can't stand still...there's only forward or backward. 

You hear it about athletes all the time.  "They have a low ceiling."  We all have created imaginary glass ceilings for ourselves in all of our endeavors.   

How can one push past their plateau?  

Read.  Learn.  Practice.  Listen.  Change. 

 All simple, all doable. 

"At some point, you will hit a plateau.  If you keep doing the same things you did to get to that point, make a change."  J.R. Rim 

Checkmate.