24 Seven January 2021

January 2021 Issue
Adjust and Reinvent in 2021
Written by Lorie Gardner, RN
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This is a new year like no other
before us in our lifetime. You all know so well the lifechanging
events that have occurred in 2020. What will be
your self-talk for 2021? Will you ruminate over all of the
horrors, tragedies, and challenges of 2020, or do you want
to adjust and reinvent your mindset and outlook for 2021?
In an excellent book that I read many years ago, The Road
Less Traveled, by M. Scott Peck, MD, the opening line is,
“Life is difficult”.
Boy, have we found out how difficult life can be during
2020! Dr. Peck simply states that these difficulties are
problems to be solved. He goes on to speak about how
we need to have the right tools to solve our problems.
Tools like self-discipline, delayed gratification, accepting
responsibility for your own life, and a dedication to the
truth. This is pretty heavy stuff, but you can see there are
some pearls of wisdom here, can’t you?
It might be interesting this year to instead of making
new year resolutions (that usually don’t work), you reflect
on the lessons learned during the past difficult year. Some
interesting questions could include:
• What did you find out were luxuries in your life that you
were able to do without?
• How did you handle the stress? Is there some additional
support or learning you need in this area?
• Did time and perseverance with the challenges make
you stronger or not, and if so how?
• What and who drained your energy and what and who
added strength and wisdom to you?
• Did you undergo any personal changes?
• Do you have a new vision for your life after this year?
• What are you going to do with your life in 2021?
It might make you feel good and proud to write your
manifesto of how you navigated through this year and then
how you would describe yourself starting 2021. There may
be some very sensitive and challenging issues left over that
may be worth getting support for including professional
help, but there also may be some newfound strengths and
resiliency for which to be proud.
For this exercise, list what you did well and how it can
make you stronger going forward. What tools did you use to
solve some of the problems you faced during this pandemic?
How will you use what you learned and the strengths you
tapped into to create your 2021 vision of yourself, not what
you will do or accomplish, but rather who you are as that
powerful problem solver and person who coped minute-tominute
throughout this pandemic year. Don’t forget any
“silver lining” lessons you experienced.
I hope that you can take yourself gently and patiently
into 2021, which still may have similar challenges, and find
some resiliency and strength to maneuver what is to come.
About The Author
LORIE GARDNER
Lorie Gardner RN, BSN, NBC-HWC, founded Healthlink Advocates,
Inc., to assist people with all aspects of their healthcare. As private
nurse patient advocates and board certified health and wellness
coaches, they partner with clients seeking assistance navigating
the complex healthcare system and those seeking self-directed,
lasting health improvements aligned with their values.
To Learn More Visit:
www.healthlinkadvocates.com