The Right Medicine for Your WTF of 2020

I think it’s safe to say that 2020 has affected each of us to varying degrees of “WTF”. I can’t possibly go into my personal WTF story right here and now, but maybe one day I will. It’s also safe to say that I have no idea where mine will end up. What I know for certain is that to remain as sane as possible I have to be intentional about it. Although, at times I most certainly do view 2020 as bad B movie or just as Satan himself drunk on power and pushing random buttons in his fiery control room from depths beneath us, I can’t focus on that imagery. It’s imperative for my sanity that I focus on the good things, on the few things within my control.

When I’m feeling negative, angry, defeated or just plain blah for no particular reason, I force myself to turn to gratitude. I turn to those things that are good in my life. As Tony Robbins says, “Where focus goes, energy flows”. Meaning, whatever we focus on, becomes bigger, more in focus and it multiplies.

It shouldn’t go unnoticed that it’s been well over a year since I’ve written anything on my blog. I could claim it’s because I’ve been busy, or that my WTF story has completely derailed me, and I’ve had many days just simply trying to get from one hour to the next, then wake up and do it again. The truth though, is that it’s a combination of both; I’ve been busy with my focus inward and toward what matters most-my family. On my best days, I focus on gratitude. It’s what keeps me focused on what matters instead of on my WTF story.

I’ve wanted to start writing many times in the last 9 months but just haven’t felt like I had anything positive to share. I felt like if I wrote, it would just be a series of incoherent cuss words and hate, because that’s what consumes me, when I’m not vigilant and intentional with my thoughts. This morning it hit me, though. I’m not unique, none of us are, really. Although we look and act quite different on the outside, we’re all the same on the inside. We were all created from the same likeness and we all possess the same basic human needs, so it occurred to me that writing from those basic needs, could be beneficial.

So here it goes: my list of 101 things to be grateful for. I encourage you to write your own and focus on gratitude instead of your personal 2020 WTF story. Of course our lists aren’t going to be identical, but if you’re having a tough time moving your focus away from your personal WTF story, start with gratitude. Use my list as a starting point! A little bit everyday will greatly improve your focus; starting with 3-5 things you're grateful for is a great start! I assure you, no matter how bad your WTF story is of 2020, you still have something to be grateful for!

1. You’re alive

2. The sunrise

3. The sunset

4. Eyes to read this

5. Ears to hear laughter and kind words

6. Joints so you can move

7. A nose to smell

8. Free will to give a compliment

9. The breeze on your face

10. The warm sun on your skin

11. A warm coat

12. Your phone

13. Good friends

14. Friends that aren’t friends anymore because they’re toxic

15. Family

16. Music

17. Books

18. Movies

19. Art

20. Avocados

21. Eggs

22. Dishes to eat off and with

23. Soap to clean dishes, ourselves and our clothes

24. People who cook for us

25. The ability to cook

26. A refrigerator

27. A table to eat at

28. Running water

29. A hot shower

30. Heat to keep us warm

31. Blankets

32. Kind strangers who hold the door open

33. Traffic lights

34. Your car, public transportation or your legs to get you places

35. Deodorant

36. Pants

37. Sports bra to keep the girls in place

38. The ability to move and exercise

39. The internet for an abundance of knowledge

40. Living in the USA (we have it better than some think)

41. Our military

42. Our police force

43. Our firefighters

44. Teachers

45. Doctors & Nurses

46. Mental health awareness

47. Modern medicine

48. Natural medicine

49. Germs (we need those to build up our immune system)

50. Vacuum cleaner

51. Toilet cleaner

52. Toilets

53. Christmas lights and decorations

54. Memories

55. Pictures

56. Coffee

57. House plants

58. Farmers for the food we eat

59. The animals that are part of the food chain

60. Sunglasses to block the glare when we drive

61. Shoes

62. Hugs

63. Kisses

64. Freedom to express ourselves

65. Freedom to sit and do nothing

66. Video calling

67. Religion

68. Flowers

69. Grocery stores and delivery

70. Sports and games

71. A quiet dirt road

72. A hiking path

73. Pens, pencils and markers to write with

74. Paper

75. Pillows

76. Pets

77. Washing machine

78. Hotels

79. Museums

80. Zoos

81. Yoga

82. Wind chimes

83. Picnic tables

84. A juicy apple

85. Air travel

86. Trains

87. Trucking industry

88. Coal

89. Oil

90. Trees

91. The Constitution

92. Potpourri/smelly waxes

93. Candles

94. Things that are made in America

95. Lakes, oceans and streams

96. Cheese

97. Coffee shops

98. Common sense

99. Stars in a dark sky

100. The sound of crickets

101. Bon fires

When I got clean and sober many years ago, I had no idea how I would get through life without my toxic coping mechanisms. Through AA though, and the fellowship of good people I learned the importance of gratitude. I learned that God always provides and that there is far more good in the world than bad. I just have to be very intentional about seeing it on some days. I also learned that feelings, although uncomfortable, can’t hurt me. I need to walk through life experiences and feelings no matter how crappy.

Even with all the WTF in 2020 that we’ve experienced to varying degrees, it’s imperative to not just continue to move forward, but to be intensely purposeful about doing it with gratitude and kindness to ourselves and to our fellow humans.

What are you grateful for today?