If Not Now, When?

Oh 2020. What can I say? It’s been hard on everyone and for multiple reasons. Many of us are feeling worn down, listless or just plain lost. All of this is perfectly understandable and acceptable. We have every right to feel like each day is an unforeseen battle to face.

But, we have to keep going. Lately, more than ever, the phrase, “life is short” keeps popping in my mind. If ever there were a time to honor the life you have and cherish what is important, it is now in 2020.

That being said, take this you-know-what-year and turn it on its head for the positive. Go with a new theme called, “Why the hell not?”

With regards to your health, it’s time to get wacky and make some big changes. Whether you realize it or not, you have your own personal narrative about your life. Have you ever thought to yourself or said to another person something like, “I’m not a morning person” or “I do not run” or “I can’t stand vegetables.” You may have made these statements years ago and kept them on automatic playback so now they are decades old. Have you ever thought that maybe things could change or you could change?

It’s time to reflect on your narrative then possibly rewrite it. This is 2020 and with three months left of this year like no other, take your habits, opinions and tendencies and give them a good shaking up.

Not a morning person? I challenge you to wake up one hour earlier. (Yes, I said that right. The last quarter of this year should be like no other, so go big.) Utilize the time according to your liking. Fill it with reading, prayer, stretching or whatever floats your boat.

Don’t like to run? Stop reading, walk out your door, run for half a mile then continue with this article. Can you believe you just did that? Amazing! Notice I did not say sign up for the next virtual marathon. Go big in the sense of doing something you have been saying you never do, but don’t over think it. Perfectionism can kill a new idea at warp speed.

What about eating those vegetables? If it has been 15 years since you have put a particular food in your mouth, don’t you think that there could be the possibility that your taste buds have evolved and it may be a different experience? Do you even remember how it tasted? Just go for it. What do you have to lose? Buy a spread of quality-cooked foods and indulge when your appetite is big.

We are dealing with many challenges in life now with possibly more to come in this last quarter. Instead of a normal pep talk that would say, “Fight those challenges head on,” what if the new narrative went something like, “I’m living through this and I’m adding to this.” 2020 can not only be the year where so many events happened to you, but also the year that you made so many occurrences happen. Yes, we will look back on this year and have memories of so many big things. Why not add your own big things to this reflection?

Let me know in the comments below what you will do differently in Q4 of 2020.