As the Sunsets on 2020, I reflect on my time and how privileged we are
As the sun set last night for the final time in 2020 so too we hoped it would take with it, one of the most challenging years our generations have seen.
Truth be told 2020 for me was not one of hardship, it was in regards to many of the challenges we faced but I chose not to remain idol. I chose to see the good in what we had been afforded, Time.
Time is a gift, for 1.8Million people, they had that taken from them. At a quim any of those 1.8Million people would have traded their position for mine. I may have the privilege to complain, but I chose not to.
Instead I used my time to learn to play my piano, spend more time with my family, I was saddened by not being able to leave the state and impacted by 5km travel restrictions. But I planned ways to take in every moment as if it were my last. For someone out there it was.
An election bloomed and I gave it my all as if it was my last. Didn't hold back I lost, but I got to witness Ash claim a spot as Melton's first Indigenous councillor. A small feat that may mean nothing to many but a lot to some, especially our children.
I disconnected from the T.V, couldn't careless about American politics, I trained in my home gym with my kids, enjoyed bike rides everyday and got to share moments that my kids will cherish for a life time.
See, to us. 2020 was a challenging year, but throughout history every year has been a challenging year. We have been provided the privilege of safety. Yes it was hard to home school, work from home, make ends meet. However, those challenges had they been presented to previous generations would have seemed a luxury.
As soliders stormed front lines, as plagues, drought, famine and disease devastated the past. All we had to do was stay home, an ask to great for some......
On new years eve, I watched on social media as a village in Cambodia came out to watch and celebrate the laying of their first ever tarmac road. A monumental feat for them. I made a comment on how privileged I was in Australia and how Aussies complained about a pothole. The response I received from a villager "What's a pot hole?". I explained and they thanked me as they didn't think about it previously. Perhaps my privileged position with an internet access just supported a Cambodian village? Who knows. Just goes to show, the position of privilege I hold on the rock, something more people need to understand and appreciate.
All in all, we as humans have existed far beyond and we will continue to do so. Who knows what tomorrow will hold, perhaps my outlook is alot different to others. But one things for sure, if this is my final few years then I want to continue to set goals and achieve them. A pandemic is simply just another hurdle to navigate, nothing has changed and you still have everything to take from this life, so don't give up and achieve it.
Happy New Year everyone, time to take 2021!