12 New Chapters, 365 New Pages… by Layqa Fatima

2020 felt like the last season of a network sitcom that should have been cancelled years ago, the writers packing every single inch of the script with contrived plot twists, way beyond the realm of plausibility.

2020 began with a bang, quite literally, followed by a string of wildfires, aeroplane crashes in Iran and Pakistan, the death of basketball legend Kobe Bryant, social unrest over the killing of George Floyd, the deadly explosion in Beirut, and various natural disasters–all under the cloud of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

We have lost loved ones, friends and colleagues to the coronavirus. And it has altered how we live; entertain ourselves, shop and work. We have faced the worst economic crisis in history. Food banks, self-quarantines, face coverings and threats to front-line workers have become part of the new normal. Remote working and Zoom fatigue have become part of our vernacular. As the pandemic spikes at alarming rates, it has created a mental health crisis of unbelievable proportions nationwide.

It’s time to leave 2020 behind and look at the positives on the horizon of 2021. We are more powerful than we realize. If we face pandemic opposition in 2021 with a positive attitude and emotional stamina, we can keep going no matter how frequent and difficult the obstacles with patience since “Allah is with those who are As-Saabiroon (patient)” (8:46)

“Allah is with those who are As-Saabiroon (patient)” (8:46)

Think of the adversities of 2020 as happening for you instead of to you. Every loss contains a gain, but you have to look for it. Every time you get up just one more time than you fall, you increase the likelihood of scaling hard times. Baseball great Babe Ruth said, “It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up. Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.”

Choosing a positive attitude is one of the most powerful things we can take into 2021.

Choosing a positive attitude is one of the most powerful things we can take into 2021. Don’t forget that grass grows through concrete. Think of yourself as an elastic band that bends and stretches to a certain point before you spring back higher than you fall. And you will have the physical and mental stamina to come back with a vengeance in 2021.

Look back at 2020. Beyond the fear, loss and disappointment at the big picture many great things happened. We all made glorious memories with our families and loved ones. The motorway and George Floyd incident set an example as eye-openers. The best ones were when Trump was acquitted on both articles of impeachment by the Senate, when Shafqat Mahmood declared holidays and when CAIEs got cancelled and, as quoted by a teacher, each of us became a “Corona pass” student.

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Layqa Fatima, a student of XI-G (Gratitude) believes in stepping into a scene and letting it drip from her fingertips. Various events in her life, from losing loved ones in the pandemic to taking the responsibility on her shoulders being the youngest one has taught her a lot of lessons. 2020 taught her to always count on blessings and instead of quitting, one has to make themself stronger and face life.

For last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice! Farewell 2020!

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Cover Photo by RetroSupply on Unsplash