Some say that 2020 was the year of removing the veils of illusion, but I think it was more like ripping off Band-Aids.
Today, all over the internet, folks are saying “good riddance” to 2020 – like somehow we can start fresh and things will go back to “normal.” But let’s remember that what those of us in the west with socio-economic privilege have considered “normal” is actually a culture plagued by many nasty, festering wounds.
We can’t miss the potential of this moment.
Yes, it’s been a horrible year, but slamming the door shut on it doesn’t solve anything.
Band-Aids won’t fix this – what’s calling is aparigraha.
Aparigraha is one of the yama-s, which are about social integration. They ask us to operationalize our values and ethics in the context of our larger relationship to others and to the community, society, culture, and planet.
This fifth principle typically gets translated as “non-greed.” Which is great, cuts right to the heart of the matter. But, to reframe in a more positive psychology perspective, I think we can also invoke the idea of sustainability. I can practice aparigraha by making sustainable choices. And, as we all strive towards aparigraha in our personal lives, it can begin to push the cultural juggernaut in a more sustainable direction as well.
My personal aparigraha choices may look like choosing to recycle stuff, to drive less, to eati more locally, to not waste my lifeforce with activities or people that drain my energy, to volunteer and help others more, to make better informed political choices, to put my money where my mouth is…and so much more.
Aparigraha provides a framework in which to look at my choices with others and with the future in mind. How will others fare because of my choices? How will future generations be affected?
2020 revealed the festering sores of an unsustainable world – a world troubled by environmental devastation, conspicuous consumption, economic and social disparity, racism, sexism, and homophobia – all of which need much more attention and care than the pre-2020 Band-Aids can ever offer.
There was nothing sustainable about “normal.” We are at the end of a modern-day Roman empire. It has to end and something new has to emerge and there’s no doubt, that birthing process is going to be hard. But what other choice do we have?
If we only look at 2020 from the perspective of wanting to escape from it or close the book on it, then we miss out on the opportunities for personal and collective evolution.
Challenges compel growth. The bigger the challenge, the greater the opportunity. Every time we are forced into difficulties and we work to meet them head on and overcome them, we make cosmic evolutionary leaps.
BTW, can you feel it? This is a massive, collective leap we are in the middle of – and it’s our choice if we sink or swim.
Let’s not throw 2020 in the trash bin just yet. Let’s get out the pick axes and mine the golden lessons here.
Ringing in the new year with alcohol and revelry is a pastime appropriate only (and questionably) for a pre-2020 world. Right now we are called to create new rituals, new intentions, new possibilities for the future – we have choices to make and some of them are going to be hard.
What is your ritual? What is your intention? How are you going to show up in 2020? Please comment below and let us know – what do you think the world needs more of in this critical moment?
I wish for you the strength and fortitude to move into the new year with a sense of hope and courage, a willingness to let go of what is not sustainable and a growing, deepening sense of self, meaning, purpose, and gratitude.
Happy New Year.🎉
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My goodness Kristine, you take the words right out of my mouth. I do feel the world and I are shifting to leave behind much of the old ways and move into a new time. I am leaving behind self defeating negative talk. Leaving behind activities that no longer serve to uplift me. I communicate more authentically. I give back with gratitude and my time in small ways. Stay in touch with family virtually with heart. Slowing down and being present to all the plenitude in this life.
That’s really beautiful Julie! Thank you for sharing. xoxo
One thing I want more of in 2020 is the ability to let go. And by that, I mean to accept and to forgive and to release. May i learn.
I couldn’t agree more. I don’t want to throw 2020 away, I want to learn from it and use that data to help me meet each day into the future. My intention for the next year is PAUSE. (Which is why the Subtle Yoga Revolution Teacher training is on the top of my list to start off 2021). I have become more and more aware when I take time to pause, what I become aware of within helps me show up more authentically, clearly and with integrity. It’s something I’ve been working on for several years and I feel like I want Pause to be front and center. I have over-doing tendencies and Pause helps me slow down and really look at what I want to say ‘yes’ to and what I need to just say ‘no’ to. 2020 was actually an amazing year for me, which I am very grateful for, and I want to use those learnings to keep transforming myself and living more in the realm of Ahimsa.
Thank you Twyla! I can totally relate. That’s why I love this work so much – I really need it! xoxo
Beautifilly said. Loved every line. Wish you and yor family a very happy new year.
Thank you Latha! I hope you and the family are doing well. xo
So beautifully and well said! It is indeed time to let go of our privilege and entitlement, to look to how we can build and contribute beauty on a large scale. So many deep lessons from 2020, not to be discarded because they are inconvenient to hear.
Yes! Thank you Phillipa. I agree!
So well said, and so true! This year gave me the gift of time for deeper exploration of the vastness of the inner world and the Great Oneness/Mind which I intend to carry on for the rest of my earthly days. Thanks as always, Koaverii.
Thanks Sue! How beautiful. You’ve been a light for so many. I’m so grateful for your presence.
Salve for the soul. I have been living this too. As my family prepares to move back to the States in the next few months, I desire to maintain the lessons learned and not just go back to what was once “normal.” It was an interesting experiment to uproot everything and to have a clearer vision of what was no longer serving me – or never did. I so agree there is no switch to flip. Suffering is hard. Not being able to live a life of activity is hard. But what we notice is left is worth noticing. Love to you, Kristine! HNY <3
Thank you Anne – so beautifully said!
Thanks for your message. I share your sentiments. 2020 is ending and it’s been challenging and so much work more needs to be done. Having said that I am thankful and grateful that I am approaching the new year feeling hopeful. Happy New Year!
Thanks Margaret – and it’s a relief to move on!
Love this so much and agree wholeheartedly!
Thank you Lisa!
As usual Kristine, your observations & comments inspire! There is much to be learned from the trials of 2020-challenges do inspire growth but we humans love to cling to the past often even when it’s not working well for us! My goals are to be more present, keep it real and continue to show up authentically. This I know will be challenging as I have just moved to a very politically conservative area in Montana from California and my views are not usually the same as the majority here. If I stay true to myself, this moment and continue to try to shine my light, I am hopeful that I will be like a drop of water that has a ripple effect in the ocean of humanity. We are all in this together and I will try not to lose my courage!🙏
Thanks for sharing Stacey! I couldn’t agree with your goals more. For me a big question is how to find common ground and common goals. I love talking to people with different opinions than my own when the conversations are rational and thoughtful. Because often human beings want the same things.
Stacy, i agree with you that it is very challenging to live in a conservative state when your goals and values are so different from the group think. I live in the same situation in Georgia and with my family and faith community. i do enjoy hearing the opinions of others and sharing mine but it is difficult to find the opportunity to do so in this time of Covid separation and Trumpism. I am hoping that this time apart gives us all the time to go deeper into our being to help us discern what is good for all people and how best to achieve it.
Thank you! How wonderful to know there are others in the world who feel this and seek this change. We can’t go back to ‘normal’, it does not work. We needed a year like 2020 to see clearly where we are and to make these changes. Let’s hope many more do and that our leaders take note of what their constituents are looking for.
Thanks Jan, I agree – we need leaders who are not afraid to lead with values and morality.
aparigraha = sustainability = love
That’s a great equation!
In total agreement with your heartfelt comments. Sloughing off the skin of 2020 must be done with respect and an open mind and heart. I always struggle with the stop start attitude of new year. It is transition and it happens gradually throughout life regardless of date and time. We should all be taking an active part in the transitions in our world now and in the times that are comining.
Thank you for your thoughts Karen – that’s beautiful. There is no clear demarcation line here – just a lot of work to be done – internally and externally.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful thoughts on this, Kristine. You eloquently put into words what my heart and soul are feeling right now. I frequently hear you saying “it’s in the pause” – and so it definitely was “in the pause” for me in 2020. I am stepping back and re-evaluating quite a few things in my life – the activities that I kept ‘busy’ with that really do not serve me well, but are distractions, as well as time to look deeper into what my goals and aspirations truly are. Thank you for always sharing – it has impacted me in so many ways. Happy New Year to you and your family.
Oh that’s so powerful Nancy – thank you for sharing. I am looking forward to a year of more pausing myself! Happy New Year – here’s to slowing down!
Thank you! Beautiful & to the point. I was saying that I understand people wanting a new beginning & 2020 was a tough year but flipping the calendar to 2021 isn’t going to fix things. I suspect a lot of people are going to be very disappointed. Once again you nailed it Kristine. Last year my intention was to do a better job walking the walk. I think I did but there is more work to be done. My intention this year is to double down on last year’s & spend more time on yoga particularly the Yamas & Niyamas. This is an excellent place to start🙏
Thank you Cathy – I appreciate you so much and the work you are doing on yourself and for others. Happy New Year!
I have been troubled by all the goodbye, good riddance 2020 comments on FB. I couldn’t put my finger on it; I just knew it was making me grumpy. Your blog helped me bring clarity to my feelings; I’m not done with 2020, I’m still growing from it. I finally feel like I have time to look clearly at my life and decide what and who are important to me. One thing that stands out the most to me; is that we can’t go on thinking only of ourselves and ignore the bigger picture.
Thank you Eileen – I agree! There is a bigger picture that is calling us right now.
You hit the nail on the head when this post Kristine! it’s some thing I’ve been saying for a while that everybody wants 2020 over but does that mean today on January 1 that everything’s gonna be great and different?? I don’t think so. I think 2020 was a wake up call for us to reevaluate where we are, where we been, and where we want to go. My goals and intentions are to look more for the blessings each day, to recognize ways that I can continue to help others, and to really take the time to get back to whats most important in my life. Someone else in your comments mention that this is a pause, I believe that too let’s e blessings each day, to recognize ways that I can continue to help others, and to really take the time to get back to whats most important in my life. Lets take this pause to reflect, meditate more, do more yoga and really connect with our authentic self. happy new year everybody!
Thanks Chris. That’s really beautiful. I am looking forward to a little more pause time this year as well.
I found your description of 2020 to show precisely the way I feel. I’m looking for a community of folks to discuss with virtually my thoughts, values and concerns. Anyone interested in connecting via a group willing to meet once a week? Or is there already one available?
Hi Barbara, thank you so much! Do you belong to the Subtle Yoga Resilience Society already?
Once again your words cause me to pause and reflect on the lessons I learned from 2020. I wish you all good things as you begin your new life in NZ. My 6 months there had a profound impact on my life, my response to the pandemic and my attitudes when I returned to the US. I strive everyday to hold on to the Kiwi spirit I developed there. I look for ways to better take care of myself and serve my community. Things that I thought were so important to my life, no longer hold that value. When you go without something for long enough, you come to realize what is really important and what was just “fluff”. Yes indeed, there were many lessons to be learned in 2020. I hope more people took the time to learn from them, if not 2021 will not be any better.
Sending Love and Blessings from Cape Cod to you and your family.
-Sarah
thank you Sarah! I’m overwhelmed by the kindness of this country. It’s a special place for sure. Take good care. xo
Beautiful. I recently went back to your Yamas and Niyamas course and am deeply appreciating the wisdom you and Keisha shared there. The social and personal values are such beautiful words to hold and then manifest. Your image of this as a bandaid ripping time is so apt – way too much festered under the wrap of the bandaid. There is much healing work to be done. I appreciate this community and your leadership.