community – Be Well Consulting Group

As the year winds down and we get ready to say good-bye to 2020, we have a choice to make:

Will we focus on what 2020 has taken away from us?

Will we focus on what 2020 has given us?

It’s certainly tempting to think only of the deprivation, loss, grief, and distress that 2020 has delivered. We can’t deny that many elements of this year have been devastating.

New phrases have become part of everyday vocabulary:

Abundance of caution Work from home

Hybrid schedule Wear a mask

Online education Lockdown

Social distance Stay safe

Covid-19 dashboard Numbers are up

Let’s also take a look at what we have learned during this year. 2020 has taught us about:

Compassion

Gratitude

Kindness

Patience

Resilience

2020 has reminded us to appreciate those things we may have taken for granted:

Family

Friends

Colleagues

Community

Housing

Three meals – and plenty of snacks – a day

Many of us have been reminded to slow down and appreciate the simpler things life has to offer:

A walk in the park

Small family gatherings

Fire pits

The unconditional love our pets offer up daily

Reading a book in a warm, quiet room

And who doesn’t have a new appreciation of toilet paper??? Yes, there is humor in 2020; and let’s allow humor be a part of each day and each lesson learned.

As we head into 2021, let’s review 2020 with an eye toward what we have accomplished in spite of – or because – of the challenges we faced.

Take a look at your 2020 calendar and find one activity / event / accomplishment that brought you joy in each month.

Review the books you read. How many books did you read?

Did you learn a new skill, start a new hobby?

Did you change careers? Get a promotion?

Have you become a teacher or teacher’s assistant for your kids?

Did you get outside more in 2020 than you normally do?

Were you able to deepen relationships with supportive family and friends?

Were you able to reduce the involvement of people in your life who don’t support you?

Did you ask for help when you needed it?

Did you offer help when you were able to?

Set yourself up for success in 2021 by focusing on what you can control:

Schedule time to get together (whether in person, via phone, or virtually) with people who bring you joy.

Get up 15 minutes early and do something that makes you happy:

Have a quite cup of coffee or tea.

Read without interruption.

Write out your intentions for the day.

Get outside and appreciate alone time.

Meditate.

Identify health goals.

Make a list of professional goals.

Write a list of 21 things you’d like to do in 2021.

Take a break from media.

Celebrate the goodness of each day.

As we ease into 2021, reach your goals by taking one small step at a time.

Saying Good-Bye to 2020 was last modified: December 31st, 2020 by Deb Nelson

Step into this café and step into a world of conversation, cuisine, and creativity.

How lucky for South Portland, Maine that Jeannie Dunnigan and her wild notion of community relocated to the Knightville neighborhood. There’s no missing Jeannie on any day of the week: she’s the one in roller skates – yes, roller skates from days gone by, not to be confused with roller blades or inline skates. You might see her behind the counter at Cia Cafe, or rolling down the street to see what’s happening in this now-vibrant business community.

Jeannie’s take on things is simple: “Our mission at Cia is to serve our guests the best local coffee, local ice cream and local art work that Maine has to offer! I have always wanted to exhibit fine art in a relaxed and fun setting accessible to all.”

Jeannie invites local artists to be a part of her café – exhibiting their work which, of course, means she is giving them the opportunity to sell their work. Dick Sawyer, a gifted photographer who is also a friend and colleague, recently displayed his photographs at Cia. That’s when I got to see Jeannie’s dream play out: for the opening of the exhibit, she threw a party. Nothing new here – oh, except there was a band, and the band traveled into the street, and then across the street to encourage us to visit and support other shops in Cia’s neighborhood.

Cia’s model for success is a breath of fresh air. Jeannie, her husband, and son are all involved in the business that draws people in to share a meal, a story, a laugh while appreciating the work of local artists. Food, stories, laughter: that’s what makes the world go ‘round, isn’t it? Thank you Cia for making our world go ‘round and ’round.

Cia: Building Community Through Coffee, Ice Cream, and Art was last modified: June 23rd, 2015 by Deb Nelson