2020...period

I'm certain I am not the only one who has been noticing a lot of talk about 2020 and all that people have been claiming to receive, do, cancel, achieve, attain, reject, experience ...and so on in what seems to be this extra special new year. What is it about a new year let alone a new decade that prompts people to want to kick their existences into high gear? Maybe the realization that one more year is behind us gives us charge to take the one ahead more seriously, for time is indeed a finite friend. Or maybe it's the annual feeling of a new beginning, a clean slate on which we are all once again able to re-write our paths should the choices or unforeseen circumstance of the year prior propel us a bit off our intended course. No matter the reason the arrival of 2020 has humans feeling the need to tackle every aspect of their lives all at once. Allow me to definitively disagree.

Now hear me out. I am not saying that climate change, equality for all, and the end to leggo-like brows aren't worthy causes, but instead of feeling the need to handle any and every major issue, consider turning your focus to 3 world/national issues you are passionate about and 3 things within yourself you equally wish to give great focus. By choosing 6 things in 2020 to work towards instead of a possible...oh I don't know...infinity, you and I are able to positively and more successfully aid in the future of our world and ourselves.

 So I know you're curious. Shayla, what are your 6 you wish to begin to fix in 2020? I'm so glad you asked. 

 1. Climate Change- There are some things you simply do not want to mess with and one of those things is the reality of climate change. Our planet needs us. It needed us yesterday, it's pleading with us right now, and in no time it may be too late to turn this word around for the better. Mother Nature is speaking and we better listen.

 2. Equality- as a proud African American and female I am all too aware of how inequality affects a person. According to equalpaytoday.org the average woman must work far into the next year to earn what the average man earns the previous year and for black women it's even longer. Racism, sexism, and homophobia, are just a few of the ways inequality is still running rampant in today's society. No one is better or more worthy of every human right.

 3. Access to clean water- As one of the gifts to our wedding guests Lawrence and I gifted bottled water from a company that donated a bottle water for every bottle purchased to 
countries where clean, drinkable water was not easily accessible. It may not seem like much, but imagine if everyone in the world took the time to get a bottle and give a bottle, donate to the water crisis, or raise awareness about this very important issue just once. I'm sure there would be a flood of good going on

 4. Personal Happiness First- I am an empath, one who tends to take on the pain or emotions of others more often than not at my own expense. Noble? Yes. Healthy? No. I have already begun the journey towards putting myself first and will continue to do so in 2020. More writing, learning, traveling, self-care, fitness, and anything else that causes me to smile will be included in my "happiness first list".

 5. Acceptance- Isn't it funny how much easier it is to accept others than to accept yourself? Going forward I want to look at all I am and all I am not and embrace both with open arms. Self-acceptance is a gift and I love a good present.

 6. Love- I have been putting love on my new year's list for as long as I can remember. Love is my reason for reasons, the driving force behind any and everything I do, and my life's truest purpose. I was made to love and I will never stop.

So there you have it, my list of six. I hope this inspires you to take a second, breathe, and make a list of your own.