Lessons of 2020

 What lessons did you learn from the year 2020?

Is this really a very important question to be asked after everything that had happened in the year 2020? Do we really mean it when we ask others this question?  What about the lessons we learned from this past year that may be worth reflecting and sharing? As known to most of us, a lot of tragedies and tragic incidents took place this year- the bushfire in Australia, the Taal Volcano eruption, the explosion in Beirut, airplane crashes in Iran and Pakistan, the death of basketball legend Kobe Bryant, social unrest over the killing of George Floyd, and the series of typhoons that hit the country and most especially the unprecedented COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic that has been affecting the whole world up to the present. These are just some of the many heart-breaking incidents that caused many lives to perish, which hammered hurt and pain in the heart and in the memory of many, especially those who were directly affected and became direct or indirect victims of these obnoxious events.  Thinking of all these incidents, it is hard to comprehend how human beings were able to rise up from these challenges despite the physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual traumas they have all face.

In retrospect, let us altogether narrate some of the many lessons that we can pick up from these unforgettable incidents which I believe we can really ponder and seriously consider applying in our daily lives, whatever we think is worth reflecting and sharing.

First, the love for Mother Earth that was clearly evident during the height of the pandemic. It was reported that our atmosphere was transformed for a while from being polluted to being clean and clear. Our planet that was created by our God Almighty for us to love and protect which the human race is slowly destroying and killing has been flashed in the mainstream news as a big revelation and reminder for all of us.

Second, the love for human life and health which many of us have been concerned about  if not overly concerned about, where such love and concern were brought forth by this health crisis.  Many people are now engaging themselves into physical activities and observing the food that they eat daily. For a while, many people have appeared to be hypochondriac. Just a simple cough and itchiness of throat, people become paranoid, thinking that they might have been infected by the corona virus.

The love for family and relationships which people have learned to value more and at the same time realized the importance of spending more and quality time with their respective family.

 Ultimately, the love of GOD and loving others as central and core value of human life. People turn to GOD to pray and ask for protection, forgiveness from all sins, and blessings to survive and provide for their daily needs as many have lost their jobs and the lives of their loved ones.

You might want to reflect and think about the lessons you have learned from the past year. Lessons are intended for us to be reminded to do what is good for ourselves and for others. I hope that whatever lessons we learned from the year 2020, they will motivate and inspire us to do what is good and pleasing to GOD! Let us all continue to learn and gain lessons from the year 2020, which I sincerely believe, are telling a big message for all of us that we can capture as guides and codes to live by.

 How about you? What lessons did you learn from the past year?