Choose to be grateful

Maybe 2020 will probably not be remembered as the best harvest …

Covid19 has become our new normal… killing loved ones, leaving so many patients with long term impairing side effects, the lockdowns, the fear, the loneliness, the hopelessness, the sadness of not to be able to see family and friends, the economical situation with its long list of redundancy plans and bankruptcies generating increased unemployment and poverty. I could of course add the terrorist attacks and the rising of extremism throughout the world… and so much more.

Instead, today I choose to be grateful.

I am grateful to the American voters to have massively showed up and elected the first black South Asian woman as VP… Let’s join Kamala Harris in hoping “While it may be the first, it won’t be the last”. I am grateful to all the Americans, and of course my family and friends who have stepped out of their comfort zone and have fought so hard these past 4 years to make it happen.

I am grateful to all my wonderful family, friends and colleagues, their care and warmth, love and support especially during these difficult months.

I am grateful for the unusual free time which has allowed me to do pro bono work to support young adults struggling through their first professional lives and medical professionals who have given more than their fair share in this battle and are coping with exhaustion and burnout.

I am grateful for all the people who have revealed themselves. Times of crisis have this incredible ability to bring to light the best and the worst in each of us, as if we become the caricature of ourselves. It has been a time to see boosting courage, generosity, humanity. It has been a time to see great leaders navigate in uncertainty, accepting to show their vulnerability, share their fears and doubts, and at the same time, adapting their strategies and fight back adversity with courage. Quoting Barack Obama, “I am grateful for the next generation of leaders – the young people who are tolerant, creative, idealistic and doing the work to create the world as it should be. Who understand that hope requires action.”

I am grateful for ability we all have to develop resilience, leverage courage and creativity. This crisis has inspired a new level of compassion and demonstrate solidarity and compassion for less fortunate ones.

I am grateful for the social and environmental awareness I have seen emerging in these troubled times.

I am grateful for the opportunity this crisis gives us the opportunity to revisit the 7 pillars of our DNA: physical, emotional, intellectual, social, financial, spiritual, vocational well-being.

AND I am grateful for the next generation who show us the way to build a better world, a brighter future.

Gratitude is a strength, a competence we should all practice – every day –

Happy Thanksgiving