This is why 2021 will be better. Will it? How better?
A year ago today, I shared a “happy 2020” video where among others, I wished my community “a year with 20-20 vision on what matters in life”.
What did I know?
The year was not nice by any measure. The global pandemic, the violence against the #BLM movement for equality and racial justice, the colossal losses of lives and livelihoods, the political turmoil, and the unrepairable blows to democracy as we know it. It was a year where much of normal life came to screeching halt. Isolation and loneliness made life harder for many vulnerable individuals. The rich got richer and the poor got poorer.
The drastic changes, slower life, and the work from home for many allowed for reflection. We had to rethink life, innovate, and adapt. We realized how important health is. How important family is. How much our friends and colleagues matter at home and in the office. How much getting out and about and traveling and seeing and expiring new things meant to us. We got reminded of these all because we lost most of it. We did learn a great deal. About ourselves and others alike. When I think back, I found more clarity for my own life and indeed fulfilled my wish of 20–20 vision on what matters to me and who I am.
We also saw much selflessness and love. Our frontline healthcare heroes gave it all and saved as many as humanly possible. Our delivery workers made sure we received our medications, our purchases. Grocery store staff made sure the shelves stayed stacked with our food and home items. Many essential workers went out of their normal ways to help us all. I am sure you have seen your share of human beauty and altruism.
I have always believed that life is not a zero-sum game. My happiness does not have to mean sadness for others. A good business deal is one where everyone feels like a winner. It is with an open heart and clear communication that we can truly reach a beyond-win-win state for all we impact. Those close and those afar. Paying it forward is not just nice. It makes sense. What goes around indeed comes around. Sooner than you can imagine. Where you least expect it. Because we are all connected, deeper and longer than ever before. Our tweets reach the opposite corners of the planet before we turn away from our devices. Our social gatherings and other reckless behaviour did spread the virus faster and to more people. Scores of people very sadly lost loved ones as a result of their own denial or selfishness.
I hope we take these hard lessons and make the most of them. To not get worse, to not go back to the same “normal”, to get to a much better place when all this dust settles. Let’s ensure no failure goes unused. Every miss no matter how big or small is an opportunity to win better and for more.
I wish you all a 2021 that is at least 20 dB better than 2020. The linear scales of improvement just don’t cut it anymore, do they? I hope with patience and perseverance, we manage to rid ourselves from the biggest impacts of the virus. With kindness and understanding in our hearts and innovation and determination in our minds, arms, and legs, we can do this together.
We are all in this “still” together.
And we will win this battle too!
Together, kinder, happier, healthier, and more prosperous!
Together, in more harmony!
Happy new year!
Wish love for you all,
Shahram