The meme reads: “2020 came out all looking like a warm chocolate chip cookie. Then, one bite and, bam, oatmeal raisin.” (I corrected the punctuation, because Mrs. Moore would have wanted me to.) It reminds me of the narratives of fear and loss that we are being fed. I prefer to take the view of ‘opportunity’ and ‘grattitude’. My comment to the friend who shared the meme was this: “2020, as such, gives us a choice. We can complain that it isn’t a chocolate chip cookie, or we can accept that it is an oatmeal raisin and enjoy it all the same. This year presents us with an opportunity to be miserable or to experience tremendous personal and societal growth. I’ll take the oatmeal cookie, if that is what is served. It is better than no cookie.”
There is a battle between the cynical realist in me and the naïve optimist in me (no pessimist). It all hinges on the choices we make and the narrative we choose to share. Positive or negative? It is a choice. Growth or stagnation? Also, a choice. Fear or hope? Again, a choice. Who will we be when this all passes. In 2021, will we still be complaining that we didn’t get a chocolate chip cookie or will we be expressing our gratitude for the delicious oatmeal cookie we received? Choices.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!!