December 29

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It’s A New Year

By Celeste DeCamps

December 29, 2020

Friendships, Meditation, mindfulness, NewYear, SilverLining, Uplifting

"A New Year, New Challenges, and New Possibilities."
A new year is around the corner. There's a universal anticipation of starting fresh. I get excited about what new possibilities may develop. Granted, 2020 was challenging, unexpected, and life-changing. I may be one of the few people who didn't organize and get rid of unnecessary items. All my useless stuff is still in the closet, under the bed, and behind the couch. ( I betcha didn't know you could hide junk behind the sofa. My husband taught me that one.) I did feel the world take a breath for a moment. The realization we're all in this together and how important it is to take care of each other took hold, except for the woman not wearing a mask who tried to get on the elevator with me. She didn't get the memo.

I think one of the most important takeaways of this past year is our health and well-being. I try to be mindful of my diet, exercise, and taking in plenty of sunshine. I have to admit that the stress and anxiety of world events took their toll, and cookies seemed to be the only answer. When my jeans started to get too tight, it was time to rethink my coping strategy. Practicing mindfulness and meditating did help alleviate some of the pressures I was feeling. What really helped was connecting with friends and family either by phone or Skype.

Talking, laughing, and even crying with others was the best way to deal with the unknown. Virtual get-togethers were my saving grace. I watched friends' graduation, a Bar-Mitzvah and birthday parties. I even made a few new friends through Zoom networking events. I received encouragement, support, and advice as I turned my in-person presentations into online productions. It's amazing how adaptable we can be. I realize how fortunate we all are by having the technology to keep us from feeling completely isolated from each other.

I'm continuously surprised at others' ingenuity. I've been entertained by the wonderful videos people produced while in quarantine. Have you seen the video by Casey Neistat where he and others recreate a scene from Star Wars? Here's the link if you haven't seen it yet. Star Wars Speeder
I've learned a great deal about cooking techniques, new exercise classes, and how to make cauliflower taste like chocolate pudding. I've tried to use the time at home to be productive but also a time to be grateful for what I have.

It's not easy finding a silver lining, but the stories of people's kindness to others have been uplifting. I'm happy for people who finally wrote their book or developed a new skill. It's great to hear families come together and spend quality time with each other. We'll always have challenges to face and overcome. If there's one lesson we learned is that we're not alone. When we need a helping hand or someone who'll listen to us, it's good to know we have each other. The New Year will find us all more vital, more compassionate, and more loving.

I promise when it's safe for us to visit, I will clean behind the couch for you. I wish you a Happy and Wonderful New Year.
About the author

Celeste DeCamps has a B.A. in Communications from the University of Miami. She worked in radio and television, was a professional belly dancer, drummer, percussionist, nightclub owner, and a sales rep for Southern Wine and Spirits for 12 years. Throughout her different career moves, speaking to and teaching women how to be more confident is Celeste's most fulfilling job.

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