Goodbye 2020, Hello 2021.

 I pray that God leads me exactly where He needs me in 2020. Give and extend grace, show up for the people who need me, be daring, love deeply, lean more into the learning zone, and strive to worry less about status and the self-imposed markers for success that give me a false sense of worthiness. 

I wrote those words back in February 2020. I was a few weeks behind setting my intentions for the new year as 2020 rocketed off to a quick start, and I neglected to anchor myself in the first few days of the year. Regardless, I'm always grateful when I carve out time to document my thoughts entering a new year as it's prime material for reflection at the end of said year.

So that was 2020. A year that will forever be remembered as the year the world socially distanced. The year of masks. The pandemic. COVID-19. A year of so little travel, outings, big group gatherings, festivals, and physical connection, but a year of so much change and growth...

• Finished physical therapy and resumed running
• Celebrated Mardi Gras not realizing what was waiting for us shortly after
• Transitioned to remote work life
• Reconnected with my worship community in St. Louis
• Celebrated a promotion
• Surpassed my real estate goals and had my best year yet in the field
• Recharged at Smith Lake
• Put the treetop up for sale
• Moved to the Fairgrounds
• Invested in a long-distance relationship 
• Mourned the passing of my beloved MawMaw
• Hugged fiercely (when I could)

I evaluated and re-evaluated relationships. I made new connections and didn't fret when some relationships shifted. I slowed down. I became much more intentional about how I spent my time and with whom I spent my time. I found new value in a walk in the park with a friend over a drink at the bar. I lost any sense of FOMO. I grew to appreciate even more a quiet night at home. I prioritized my health and listened more to my body telling me what it needed. I made many memories in Texas with visits to see Travis including a special birthday weekend (dinner at the Pearl and paddle boarding in Austin).

Though I can't say for certain, I hope God led me where He needed me to be this year, physically and spiritually. I hope I gave and extended more grace to myself and others. I hope the people in my life felt I was someone they could count on in 2020 to show up for them and keep showing up. I dared more. I loved more deeply. I strayed from my comfort zone. And I gave up the need to "see and be seen". 

I shared with my colleagues at work that my intention for 2021 was GRACE - to focus on progress over perfection and to assume the best about others. And on the home front, I'm in no rush to name where I hope 2021 will take me. Healthy. Joyful. Present. Loving. And for now, that's enough. Happy New Year!