Good Riddance?

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

I was watching TV the other night — back in Ohio with my parents…where they still have cable. haha (In addition to Apple TV, but they refuse to “cut the cord!”) But as a result, I was privvy to see….commercials.

And there was one in particular that really stuck out to me, and frankly left a bad taste in my mouth.

It was about the New Year, and the entire theme was Goodbye 2020, and GOOD RIDDANCE.

And with this commercial, they showed a bunch of people’s self-created social media content of very “2020” things that happened…everything from a bride slipping on a wedding cake, to nurses suited up in PPE fighting COVID19, to the wildfires out west. And the whole thing just had this, bitter — almost snarky — tone to it.

And watching it, I thought to myself…wow, that is not at all how I want to go into 2021.

And I’ve seen this “Goodbye, Good Riddance” theme over and over – from the news, to podcasts, to social media.

And I’ve got just two cents, quickly, to reflect on on New Year’s Eve.

If there is one thing that I’ve learned from anorexia recovery…and having had to literally pick up the shattered pieces of my life, and figure out a) who I am, and b) how to move forward, it is this:

It is impossible to move forward into newness, without first recognizing, appreciating and applying the (most oftentimes, hard) lessons learned from the past.

We’re so quick to just slough off 2020, and say “Sayonara Sucker!” But that is so foolish. A 2020 mistake, if you will.

You see, 2020 has been one hell of a teacher, I think we can all agree on that. What is wise, and prudent, is to take an inventory of the abundance of lessons we’ve gleaned from such challenges.

And I’ll give you a hint: a great place to start, is gratitude.

2020 has shone a big ol’ spotlight on areas of our life we have to be grateful for: family, our loved ones, our health, our jobs, communication and social interaction…going out to eat!

We have an incredible opportunity to kick off this new year, 2021 from a place of humility: of gratitude.

Gratitude is one of the ways I have stuck to my recovery. I have learned to appreciate how dark and low my life was — when I was isolated, starving, deceiving my loved ones and shutting the world out in anger and shame. Those were hard lessons to take inventory of. But knowing how truly bleak my existence was during my disease, allows me to live in such gratitude now, for the things I so foolishly took for granted. Things like enjoyment of food, feeling confident in my body, having hair on my head and mensturating.

But gratitude is just one of countless, countless lesson brought about by the hardships of 2020.

And funny, because, literally, as I’m typing this post out, I received a text from my dad in our family group text:

Good riddance? I think not. Good riddance is what you say to your last cigarette, or the pesky splinter that is caught in your foot.

I invite you to join me in trying a different approach. And welcoming 2021 from a place of appreciation for hard lessons, and the growth they have incurred.

I’ll let my dad’s wisdom take us out for 2020: May God bless us all with Grace in 2021.

“This is what the Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” Ez 37:5

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beautybeyondbones

BBB: Because we're all recovering from something. // For speaking/business inquiries: beautybeyondbones@yahoo.com

153 thoughts on “Good Riddance?”

  1. If you were able to see 2021 come in you should’ve had uplifted hands to the Almighty. Becuase it was by His mercy and grace we are still here! I heard somewhere if it doesn’t kill you—it will make you stronger and that is what 2020 did for some of us. That’s why we can look at 2021 with hope for the miraculous in Jesus Christ. Happy New Year! Blessings and Peace.

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    1. Thank you so much for this powerful perspective! You’re absolutely right! It’s by His mercy and grace! big hugs to you xox Happy New Year! 🎉

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  3. Although as a nurse in the UK I still feel somewhat stuck halfway between 2020 and 2021, I agree that it is a little foolish to not appreciate the growth we have or could have had from such a year. I feel it would almost be a waste of twelve months if we didn’t try and find at least a few silver linings or golden nuggets to cling to, and possibly that belief comes from my own faith that we are presented with opportunities for growth and change. After all, if everything stayed the same and comfortable we would never move – with all the death I have seen this year both as a nurse and in my own family its up to me to live as much as I can. Thanks for such a great reminder to count blessings.

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    1. Hi friend, thank you so much for sharing this powerful perspective. you’re right – we need to learn from the immense hardship of 2020, but cling to the golden nuggets and have hope! Happy New Year! 🎉 Hugs and love xox

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  4. I welcome 2021, but am very grateful, for our refining fire, that has taught me much, about my selfish desires that still need pruning. Happy New Year, Carolyn.

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  6. Well said! Grace…yes…that I think is a very good word for 2021!
    Keep wearing a mask, keep washing your hands, be safe, and I pray there will be enough vaccine to go around to help kick this virus for good!

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    1. thank you so much Shauna! yes! grace indeed! joining you in that imporatant prayer! Happy New Year! 🎉 Hugs and love xox

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  10. I saw that same commercial and it made me cringe a bit as well. For some folks 2020 was a horrid year. For others, it may have been the best year of their lives in many ways. I agree that we should be grateful for each day the Lord grants us, even those days that seem the absolute hardest. Solid post. Thanks for sharing your insights. Blessings.

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    1. right? cringeworthy indeed! amen – gotta be grateful for every day the Lord has blessed us with! Happy New Year! 🎉 Hugs and love xox

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    1. Aw thank you!! Yeah my dad is full of a lot of great advice! And oh my gosh congrats!! So wonderful!! Hugs and love xox

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  12. 2020, I lost my father to covid, he fell @ home, had to go to the hospital and got covid there, which took him (he was 84). I don’t post that for pity in any way, I post that to back up your point. Struggle and strife reminds us of the absolute miracle that is our lives… the gift we are given in every breath. The universe has been around billions of years… and chose to have all of us here now, that is a blessing, a miracle, regardless of any religious belief anyone may have. what 2020 felt like to me is a blur… no holidays… none… they all just went away… or passed. That is what I remember… no holidays.

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    1. Oh David, I am so sorry for your loss!! My heart breaks to hear. Gosh so tragic. Know that you and your family are in my heart and in my prayers during this difficult time. Yes – every breath is a gift. Hang in there. Hugs and love xox

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  13. Amen! I think we learned a lot from last year. Beyond that, good things happened last year. We should celebrate the positive events from 2020 rather than just dwelling on the negative.

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    1. me too, thanks for all your support and love today Amanda! i hope you have an absolutely wonderful weekend! Hugs and love xox

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  16. So absolutely true! In fact, when the pandemic began, & I saw social media afloat with abuses for 2020, I actually did a post on why I felt sorry for 2020. 2020 & now 2021 are showing us that we’ve to be grateful for so so much!

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