Don't look now, but 2020 is all but history. That's just fine by me. But what really matters is how we're feeling about 2021. I'm looking forward to it, and really believe it can be a wonderful year. Here are 12 tips to help make it just that...

[pullquote]Come to understand your life's meaning and purpose. Let it define your journey, and work toward fulfillment everyday.[/pullquote]A quirky thought hit me as I was putting this piece together. Let me run it by you...

Do you find it interesting that we make such a big deal about drawing lines between years on our calendars and in our lives? I know it goes way back, and serves multiple purposes, but I think it's a curious practice. After all, time knows no boundaries.

Speaking of time, here's a fascinating take from Albert Einstein. In a letter of condolence to the sister of his best friend, who had died, he included this...

For us believing physicists the distinction between past, present, and future only has the meaning of an illusion, though a persistent one.

Seems as though Einstein's calendar had no lines.

New year's resolutions?

So, do you have your new year's resolutions at least thought-out, if not carved in stone?

I don't.

See, I don't do new year's resolutions. And I don't encourage others to rack their brains over them. Nah, they're often loaded with unrealistic expectations, which end-up making the "resolutioner/expecter" feel defeated and inferior when one or more don't pan out.

Do you agree?

12 tips for making 2021 a wonderful year

[caption id="attachment_35007" align="alignleft" width="280"] new years resolution

"I'm feelin' really good about 2021."[/caption]

Okay, so new year's resolutions don't float my boat. But that doesn't mean I don't ponder and adopt custom strategies and goals for the coming year.

And I'll tell you something: I believe doing so is absolutely essential for anyone trying to manage a mood or anxiety disorder. I mean, seat-of-the-pants living doesn't work well for us.

With that in mind, here are 12 tips for making 2021 a wonderful year for anyone dealing with a mood or anxiety disorder...

Consider acceptance when it comes to your mood or anxiety woes. Some things will change, some won't. Internal fighting generates stress and depletes energy.
Expectations can be devastating. Carefully choose what you want of, and for, yourself. And apply gently.
COVID-19 isn't going to magically disappear, so go easy on thoughts of returning to "normal."
Come to believe that every day is a gift and strive to make the best of each and every one.
Don't lose the forest for the trees. Looking after fine details may be important, but trouble awaits if we lose sight of the big picture.
Make lending someone a hand a daily priority, So many are suffering. If anyone knows what that feels like, it's us.
Be thankful. If you can't find anything worthy of gratitude, look harder.
Learn to catch feeling and behavior altering thinking - especially cognitive distortions - and make indicated adjustments.
Don't turn your back on healthy living habits - self-care. If your body and mind fail, you're in deep weeds.
Come to understand your life's meaning and purpose. Let it define your journey, and work toward fulfillment everyday.
Find and nurture a relationship with a spiritual power. We need to know there's a bigger and more mighty being than us.
Never let go of hope. It's real, and at times it may be all we have.

Think those will help? Give some of them a go and see how they positively impact your life.

Pop the cork

So bye-bye 2020, it's time to embrace 2021. Again, I'm looking forward to it because I really believe it can be a wonderful year. I'm hoping you feel the same.

Yeah, pop the cork...

Happy New Year!

help for depression

Coronavirus