Intentions

One year ago, I reflected on the end of a decade. I was surprised at how much had changed in my life and in our world in 10 years. Little did I know that, in a few short months, the world would be brought to its knees by a virus that I had only heard of in passing.

This has been, without contest, the most challenging year I have experienced in my lifetime. At New Years, it's traditional to look back on the past year and to make "resolutions" for the year to come. It's difficult to remember the anxiety, the loss, and disappointment that came with 2020 and I've never been much of a new years resolutions kind of guy.

As I sit here, though, on December 31st, I recognize the many silver linings of the past year. 2020 started with some fun adventures: New Years Eve in downtown Denver, road trips to Mount Rushmore, the Badlands, and skiing at Monarch. I had a few more months with Ramón, my exchange student. Once the pandemic hit, I was able to spend the most time with my family that I had since finishing high school. Although the year did not look at all how we had planned, it did provide opportunity for me to take on several new pursuits. I've been able to spend more time outside and practice my photography. I started learning to play piano. I enrolled in a year-long naturalist training class. I became an International Exchange Coordinator and found my first host family for next year. More recently, I started working on improving my Spanish with the Duolingo App. None of these things would have happened if 2020 had gone as planned.

So, while I'm not making any resolutions for the new year, I do have intentions. Intentions to continue learning, practicing, and bettering myself. Intentions to keep pursuing the things that brought me joy in 2020.

My plans for 2021 are many. I look forward to our new president taking office in a few weeks and, hopefully, changing the tone in our country. I eagerly await my turn to get the vaccine that will, with any luck, bring an end to the pandemic. I am excited for the opportunity to travel again; to host another exchange student; to get back to in-person school so that I can see my students face-to-face; to sit in my favorite coffee shops and people-watch; to eat at my favorite restaurants; to go to Rockies games and enjoy the long summer days; and to see my friends and family without fear of getting sick.

I know that none of these things are guaranteed. We've learned that lesson all too well this year. I have also learned that we can make the best of our circumstances, regardless of what happens. I intend to continue doing that in 2021. My words from my January 1st, 2020 blog post now seem almost prophetic (just change "ten years" to one):

If I had the choice to see ten years into the future, I don’t think that I would. But it’s nice to look back and see all that can happen in ten years – the good and the bad. It helps me to remember two things. 1) If times are good, cherish it. Change happens quickly. 2) If times are hard, be patient. Change happens quickly.

Happy New Year everyone. Here's to what's ahead.