I have a confession: I didn't think 2020 was absolutely terrible. Yes, it was challenging. My daughter forgot the name of her principal tonight because she hasn't seen her in months. And I'm spending a lot more time teaching my son about possessive apostrophes and how to "carry the one" than I ever thought I would. We didn't celebrate Christmas with grandparents, and Thanksgiving wasn't the same without Bob's corn casserole (it doesn't sound good, but man-oh-man...).
I recognize that I'm living a pretty privileged life. Though I know several people who had COVID, I'm not super close to anyone for whom it was life-threatening. I don't have to suffer daily indignities because of the color of my skin. And we live in a rural area, where our kids can fight off "enemy forces" in the fields around our house and we don't have to worry about bumping into someone on the elevator. (Is it just me, or are the "enemy forces" a metaphor for all that they don't understand and are afraid of right now? If so, why can't we all have the healthy coping mechanisms of kids?)
And so I feel the need to recognize all the ways that 2020 upended our routines and gifted us the chance to discover new ways to be, and to be together. I know it's cliche to look for the silver linings, or focus on what we're grateful for in the midst of loss. But some of these things are just plain awesome. And I'm done feeling guilty about feeling good.
So, in no particular order, here's my Ode to 2020:
1. Lots of hikes, most of which started with the kids complaining about having to leave home but morphed into stick-wielding, stream-stomping, shoe-soaking, gummy-bear-eating fun that made everyone tired.
2. Pan-banging cookies. I know I'm not the hippest dude in the world, but I hadn't heard of this craze until my wife made some. And I don't think she buys the pan-banging cookbook unless we're staying home and baking a lot more. And we're not staying home and baking a lot more if there's no COVID. If you're somehow less hip than me and haven't tried them yet, do yourself a favor.
3. Tim Desmond and Jack Kornfield. Both wrote books that are a source of inspiration to me. Check out How to Stay Human in a F*cked Up World (Desmond) and The Wise Heart (Kornfield). Desmond has a simple, sometimes hilarious presentation, and he makes me feel like being a human is actually pretty cool. And Kornfield just makes me want to love everyone.
4. Our kids sleeping later. This might have nothing to do with COVID or remote learning, and might just be because they're getting older. Whatever it is, THANK YOU. It's way easier to keep my morning practice when I'm not waking up to the pitter patter of footsteps.
5. My students, who somehow found a way to motivate themselves from their bedroom and connect with me over a screen. Whether it was staying after class for a regular check-in, or sending me hand-written thank-you notes (through the post office!) and holiday cards, I feel lucky to work with some of the sweetest kids.
6. Riding my bike to stay sane. There has always been something therapeutic in the spinning of pedals for me. This year it was downright cathartic. Plus my son started going on longer rides with me. Plus my daughter learned to ride a bike. #Cycologist.
7. All the people in the world who are doing their best to ease suffering. And yes, teachers count. Especially if you're finding a way to connect with your students (ummm...hello, mindfulness practice), you're providing an essential service.
With all that in mind, here’s an audio file of today’s practice.
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