“As difficult as it was, 2020 taught me these 3 amazing lessons,” says author Devina Kaur

The year 2020 has been an extremely difficult one on so many levels. I am sure that each and every one of us has dealt with so much trauma at an individual level as well as at a global and collective level. This made me think about the lessons this year has taught me as the chaos unfolded.

And today I am sharing the top 3 lessons this year has taught me with you:

1. Understanding myself is crucial

In a world that tells us that ‘you are never enough’, I realized that we can’t change the game from the outside. We have no control over how society works during these times. We are struggling to know who we are, living within four walls–but at the same time we must learn to know and love all parts of ourselves.

With so many facilities being closed, those of us who are still lucky enough to have jobs are now working from home. We don’t have access to our friends and family members, we’ve also bid farewell to our usual distractions like bars, office, retail shopping, and holiday destinations.

Also, listen:

So the sooner we start looking within ourselves, understanding who we are, knowing not only our bright side but also our weaknesses—then the sooner we can start working on them by becoming more self-aware.

You are a spiritual being having a human experience. It is important that we acknowledge all the little things and all the big things we know and do well for ourselves as well as the things that we would want to improve.

Do not be afraid of getting to know more about yourself perhaps even with professional support. Knowing who we really are will help us to feel more empowered and whole as human beings.

When you know who you are, you will be able to love all parts of yourself. Get to know your dark side because your darkness is not your enemy. Love all parts of yourself as the divine beautiful being that you truly are.

2. Radical self-acceptance is the need of the hour

First comes self-knowledge and then comes radical self-acceptance. That means accepting that we can’t go out at the moment. There is a massive global shut down, our travel plans, holiday plans, wedding plans, birthday plans, and even Christmas plans have changed.

But amidst it all we also have to accept that we are beautiful and brilliant lights of the divine and that we are the ones that the world is waiting for. When we accept our bright side and our dark side, we become empowered from within, which helps us gain inner spiritual confidence.

Many of you may not know this but I myself am a recovering addict. I have been at very dark places, even dealing with self-harm thoughts. And because I overcame an addiction, I have come to the realisation that I have the power to change what I don’t like about myself, but it only happens through self-awareness. Self-awareness is very sexy, and that acceptance happens through knowing and then loving yourself through all the ups and the downs.

Mental health issues are at an all-time high. We must accept, start sharing and remove the shame and stigma associated with struggling in silence because of being authentic, and only then can we bring about change.

Change occurs when we know who we are and accept all parts of ourselves. This will lead to the acceptance of others around us as well, which leads to more love and peace for the world in general.

Also, watch:

3. Happiness is my birthright

We are all in the same massive and sometimes outright scary storm. Some of us have a big ship, some of us have a yacht, some of us are on a raft and some of us have a small boat. Yet we must all choose to be the happiest versions of ourselves that we know. This happiness comes from radical self-acceptance. That means accepting the divine light within us as well as our dark sides, the sexiness, the intelligence, and the creative being that you are. Knowing who you are and then practicing radical self-acceptance leads to more happiness and joy from the inside out.

Allow your happiness to come from silence and stillness which means more mediation, rest and prayer. Spend time in self-study, giving back, volunteer work, being a role model in your community, forming new friendships virtually (during these stressful times) and around you while staying safe will allow us to receive joy from the inside out.

Happiness is your divine birthright.