Five things I’ve learned from 2020

            The year 2020 has been unique, distinct, and unforgettable. In Puerto Rico we’ve experienced events unseen since the last century.  Earthquakes, pandemics and so on. And who can forget about Hurricane Maria in 2017, the summer 2019 protests (which led to the governor’s resignation), social unrest and chronic economic downfall. 

            This period has generated many emotions. These include fear, anguish, sadness and uncertainty. The concerns are many. I remember the fear I experienced at beginning of the pandemic. Fear that I or one of my relatives got infected by the virus. There was uncertainty about food security, availability of health services, economic viability, and thousand and one concerns.

But moments like these also provide an opportunity to re-evaluate our life, to gain new perspective on life. We can learn from any experience. Aldous Huxley (an English writer) once said; “Experience is not what happens to you, but what you do with what happens to you.” I share five things I’ve learned so far from the events of the year 2020:

1. We don’t need so many things: Our society encourages “having.” Some people think the more, the better. This period proves otherwise. Accumulating material things does not guarantee happiness or survival. I’ve realized that there are many things that we don’t use on a daily basis, and they don’t provide a practical purpose. What is the point in owning 10 pairs of shoes? Why do we keep spending so much money on things that at the end of the day, don’t provide much good?
2. Life goes by real fast. Really, really fast: This period has forced us to stop. This slow down helped me realize how fast-paced our daily routines are. It’s all about working, producing, generating; to be able to pay, have and spend. The money is necessary, don’t take me wrong. But is it worth sacrificing so much to get things? So fast, and for what? Since then I have taken time to observe, listen and feel the day. Enjoy the small things. The moments with my children and loved ones, every smile, every innocent look, even every pointless argument.
3. We are blessed: We had it easy. We could go anywhere, anytime. We are blessed because despite of the adversity, we don’t lack the essentials. I’m thankful every day for the things we have. Sometimes we worry so much for what we lack, that we don’t realize what we have.
4. There are so many things left to do: There so many things that I want to do. Sometimes we think that our stay in this world is infinite, but situations like the pandemic remind us of our vulnerability. So why do we leave so much for later?  Let’s cross things out of that bucket list. 
5. Life is beautiful: How beautiful it is to live. As challenging as life is, which is, and always will be, it is a miracle to be alive. It’s great to wake up every morning, look at your loved ones, see their smiles, hear them, squeeze them, kiss them. How beautiful life is, how nice it is to live. Even though uncertainty clouds our vision of the future, enjoy every moment.

            The challenges will continue, that is the reality of life. I hope that these challenges will make us stronger and help us contemplate the small daily blessings. 

Author: Dr. Mario R. Gonzalez-Torres MD, Psychiatrist