Ode to 2021…

I wonder if any artist will ever again compose a song like the one Frank Sinatra buoyantly sang in 1965: “It was a very good year…”  No, instead, this December we hear Macklemore singing: “Next year`s gonna be better than this year” and Italobrothers beaming: “One day we`ll be laughing again ha ha ha…”

At the recent annual Hitmakers Brunch, rap artist Lil Nas X, who received the Innovator of the Year award, surprised everyone with his speech.  With the trophy in one of his hands, the 22-year-old rapper took the mic in the other to deliver his acceptance speech, reflecting on the massive year.

He said, “It’s been like a pretty crazy year,” he said. “It’s been a pretty fun year…” However, soon after this remark, the Old Town Road hit-maker expressed, “I’m kidding… This year took a lot of mental strength for me just to even continue to keep pushing after my debut reached such a high place so, so quickly, and it’s very scary to try to follow up and keep it going.”

“But I was myself. I did what I needed to do,” he continued. “I put effort into every single part of my career. And I’m super thankful for this award,” added the Grammy winner.

Today I am writing my last Blog of 2021, and I know you`ll call me a hypocrite too, if I conclude 2021 by saying that it was only sunshine and roses.  Last year this time we were all looking forward to a new year, desperately wanting to believe that the Covid nightmare would soon come to an end, only to find ourselves suffering even more losses.  We look back on a year in which so many people in our country, and especially in our own community, lost their lives to Covid.  It was another year of lockdown, cancelled events, masks and restrictions…

It`s so ironic – in 2020 we all thought we were running a marathon.  Just when we thought we were finished, someone handed us a bike and bathing suit.  Then 2021 revealed that it`s actually not a triathlon, it`s an Ironman! 

And still, I cannot help feeling so much gratitude.  For us, coming together at the studio and on Zoom, made life feel as normal as it could get.  We were able to complete all three fitness Challenges and hosted all our prize giving ceremonies, we haven`t lost any members to Covid, and our numbers have grown significantly during the past 12 months. Everyone showed so much resilience!

Yesterday I scrolled back to my last post of 2020 and read what I wrote a year ago:

“Are we going to spend 2021 trying to look good, creating the illusion that we have power over our circumstances?  Or are we going to taste it, try it, enjoy it, and continue to find the truth about who we are?

In all honesty I can say that we have indeed tasted, tried, and enjoyed every workout and moment at the studio.  Just like Lil Nas X, we were ourselves, and we did what we had to do.  And yes, we continued to find the truth about who we are. 

We experienced so many special moments that reminded us that the universe is still offering us many good things.  Each one of us has so much to be thankful for, and although so many circumstances are still beyond our control, there have been many small personal victories and sweet memories to celebrate.

Looking back at 2021, I thought we should remind ourselves of a few good things that happened in the world too!  The Kardashians finished filming their final season, forever!  Yeah!  CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk, surpassed Jeff Bezoz as the wealthiest person in the world.  After more than a decade, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez made headlines as the year`s most unexpected re-coupling.  Thank you, Bennifer.

Richard Branson became the first private citizen to enter space in his own spaceship, recently a group of South Africans spotted an exhausted dog in the middle of Harties Dam and rallied together to save him…  and last, but not least, rumours are that Covid might fade away in 2022, and I have decided to believe that with all my heart.

A few weeks ago someone posted this post on his Facebook page.  It was originally written by the poet Yung Pueblo:

“11 Unforgettable truths 2021 taught me:

Your healing comes first

Boundaries will nourish you

Being busy is not glamorous

Heavy emotions are temporary

Say yes only when it feels right

Build with emotionally mature people

Embracing change lifts up your peace

Saying no supports your mental health

Healing yourself help heals your connections

You lose yourself by trying to please everyone…”

I know, it`s quite a mouthful, and definitely food for thought as we reflect on 2021 going into 2022.

What has 2021 taught me?  There`s still so much to learn, so much to enjoy, so much to be thankful for and so terribly much to be curious about.

Until we meet again in 2022, I would like to love and leave you with this:

Three Unforgettable truths Mirna`s Aerobic Studio firmly advocate:

• Old patterns do not give up easily – they will try to keep pulling you into reactions that lead into repeating the past. But, in time, after not feeding them for a while, they weaken and become easier to let go.  They may still appear as an option occasionally but will not have the same strength as before.  This is the turning point, the leap forward you have been waiting for, the victory when it becomes clear that you have moved.
• Make a habit of being alive.
• I cannot make you happy, but I can commit to support you in the creation of your own happiness.

Yes, at Mirna`s we have strived to do so since 2011, and we promise to continue in 2022.  Thank you for one hell of a ride in 2021.  Thank you for reading my Blog, for watching our workout videos and for always supporting our ideas.

May this time adorn you with fond memories with your family. I wish you light, comfort, and clarity.  And don`t forget – life is short. So, jingle your bells!

Merry Christmas!

Mirna

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