Inside Out: From 2020 to 2021

Today marks the first entry of my blog. And while it may seem like a surprising first topic, I couldn’t help but to begin this blog than by referencing Pixar’s incredibly imaginative and underrated film Inside Out. It’s a fitting subject given what we’ve all just experienced in 2020 (sadness, fear, anger, disgust) and what we all hope to have in abundance in 2021 (joy).

But while hope is what keeps us positive and forward-looking, honesty to ourselves and reality are what should guide us ... particularly for the start of the year. The truth is this: our first several months of 2021 will likely not be any different than the majority of 2020. Here’s more sincerity: the vaccine may not make it to some of our loved ones in time to save them. People will still die, unfortunately. More jobs will be lost. Businesses will continue to close. And that sense of, “Just get me to 2021”, echoed across the country months ago, won’t feel quite like the light at the end of the tunnel for which we’ve all prayed.

That said, it’s in recognizing these truths where we have to keep our emotions in check. For the betterment of ourselves, individually, and for our society as a whole. Anger over where we stand - not just with COVID, but with the other ills of our nation - does not allow us to simply run from the problems. And doing so will not restore our happiness.

However, what can give us some joy is staying balanced with our emotions. It’s what helped 11-year-old Riley find herself. It’s what helps each of us find ourselves in troubled times. The key is to stay away from negative sentiments that cause the darkest parts of us to escape. Guard against outside forces that corrupt who you are at your core. Be driven only by the kindness of your soul. Because no matter what else happens in 2021 and beyond, who we are inside is what will protect us most. Not the government. Not a vaccine. Not anything else, but the character and conviction in each person.