This excellent article was kindly written for Mr Perfect by Dr Scott Zarcinas.
They say you shouldn’t wish away your time, but you could be forgiven for wishing 2020 would just hurry up and finish and bring on a fresh new start in 2021.
As ScoMo said way back in March, this would probably be the worst year in anyone’s life.
He wasn’t too far off the mark. The coronavirus pandemic has meant lockdowns, travel bans, job losses, ongoing sickness, and for many Australian families, the death of a loved one.
Besides the physical health impacts of the coronavirus, financial worries,
unemployment, and isolation have caused a significant rise in mental health
problems. Anxiety, depression, drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, and even self-harm have risen significantly.
It can feel as if the cure has been worse than the disease and, quite frankly, for
many Australians, we can’t get to the end of this year quick enough.
But I’m reminded of what Winston Churchill said of the darkest hours of World War 2, when the Nazis had conquered most of Western Europe and were bombing London night after relentless night and all seemed lost:
“If you’re going through hell, keep going.”
The world is going through hell again, and once again we need to keep going when all seems lost. We need to see the light at the end of the tunnel and pray that it isn’t the headlight of a train bearing down on us. We need to hope that 2021 will be better than 2020. Much better.
Is this realistic? Is it foolish to hope for better things when it seems things will only get worse before they get worse?
Agreed, things could certainly go further downhill. We could have a third wave of the pandemic. Geez, we could even have a fourth or fifth wave if a vaccine doesn’t come to fruition.
The unemployment rate could skyrocket. Australia could enter a worsening
recession, and maybe even a depression. The housing market could crash. But what choice do we have? Life must go on. We have to be Churchillian and keep
going through hell because, as another great leader during a time of great upheaval, Abraham Lincoln, once remarked, “This too shall pass.”
This is a great truth that gave Abraham Lincoln much solace. All bad things pass. Nothing stays the same. Bad times, difficult moments, pain and suffering eventually and always pass. Pandemics, wars, recessions, droughts, all at some point pass.
Yes, it also means that the good times also pass. That’s the pendulum of life, swinging from good to bad to good again. But knowing that even the good times pass means you can embrace the moments and cherish them, not expecting them to be around forever. The good times are sweeter when you know they are only temporary.
Just as important, knowing that the bad times will pass also means that you can let go of them and prepare for the coming good times. Because nothing stays bad forever. Time heals all wounds.
So if you’re going through hell in 2020, keep going. Keep going with the certainty that this too shall pass, and you can look forward to making 2021 your best year yet.
About DoctorZed
Dr Scott Zarcinas (aka DoctorZed) is a doctor, author, and transformologist. He
helps pro-active people to be happier, more confident, decisive, and effective so they can activate their fullest potential and become the person they are capable of being.
He specialises in helping work-at-home fathers build their self-esteem and self-belief so they have the confidence and the courage to live a life that is true to themself.
DoctorZed gives regular workshops, seminars, presentations, and courses to
support those who want to make a positive difference through positive action. Visit his website at www.scottzarcinas.com
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