2020: Meaning and Message
There is a spiritual meaning to the number 2020. The number signifies the huge potential that our lives hold, and some believe that the angels want us to use our gifts and talents to better the world that we live in. This is preceded by an ominous warning to be prepared for both physical and mental changes that are coming our way, with a message that these changes can potentially teach us to become better human beings if we simply open our minds and learn from them.
I’ve never been one to live by the direction of zodiac messages or numerical meanings, but I also respect their existence and take comfort in the belief that we are guided by forces beyond our understanding. So, you can imagine my surprise when I casually looked up the meaning of the number, 2020. Particularly given that this is the exact message I was hoping to convey when asked to submit an article for Forum: What can we learn from 2020, and how can we use this to make the world a better place.
There is certainly no need to explain the prophesized warnings that have been cast upon an entire planet. Nothing in my lifetime comes even close, and perhaps is best symbolized by the scene as I approached my designated work place to write this story. Crocker Park would normally be alive with holiday shoppers, ice skaters, and Christmas revelers. Instead, only a handful of people walked around the pristine grounds, all adorning an item of necessity that would have been unimaginable just one year earlier. Masks. It suddenly struck me as odd when I pulled up my mask entering Barnes & Noble that I was the ONLY person walking outside who was not donning a mask.
Ordering my coffee, I thought back to just one year ago. I was ready to embark on a journey that I would later bring to life with great joy for a Forum article. My first ever Polish wedding, in the heart of the snow-capped Carpathian Mountains, now seems like a mirage. At the time it felt absolutely magical, and I believed an omen for what would be an unforgettable and pivotal year.
One year later, as I write this article, we prepare for a unique PACC virtual Christmas program with the intent to bring hope to all who have survived the tumultuous year of 2020. In some ways it may be easy to focus on the promising book ends of the year 2020. But that would ignore the numerous challenges faced by every single one of us, particularly those who have suffered with varying degrees of personal loss and sacrifice.
The year 2020 will soon come to a close. And although the events from this year cannot be reversed, the social and physical impact that reverberates from our actions remain to be written. There is now hope with the promise of a new vaccine, but what will happen when all of this is all behind us? Will we simply go back to our old ways, or is there a new normal that can be better than the direction where we were heading?
From my personal perspective and reflection, I see that there is much to be learned. I now better appreciate the people around me, the importance of family, friends, and co-workers. Like so many, I have lost a close friend and was unable to be there for closure and comfort to his family. My heart goes out to all those who have suffered, and my admiration grows for the brave workers on the front lines who sacrifice their lives every day for our personal safety. I take some comfort that our planet has gained a slight reprieve from the growing damage that harms it, and pray that principled leaders will now use this opportunity to help stem the tide to protect it.
Given all that has happened in 2020, from the pandemic to unabashed political turmoil, it might appear tempting to grow cynical and lose hope for the future. And if we do in fact slip back to the old normal while accepting negative energy, then we will have done a great disservice to all who have suffered tragedy and loss during this past year.
However, I am much more inspired by the potential that our lives hold, as indicative of the meaning of this most unusual year. I am reminded of our own lessons from the past, where we achieve growth from personal loss and where true character emerges from adversity and challenges. One need only look around at any PACC event to see the faces of strength and character, to realize that we can take on any challenge and come out better in the end. The choice is ours, and I invite you to join our upcoming virtual event as we move on to 2021 with words like those below, as we dream for a better and brighter future.
One night I had a dream.!
As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.!
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.!
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,!
One belonging to me and one to my Lord.
After the last scene of my life flashed before me,!
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.!
I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,!
especially at the very lowest and saddest times,!
there was only one set of footprints.
This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.!
“Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,!
You’d walk with me all the way.!
But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,!
there was only one set of footprints.!
I don’t understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me.”
He whispered, “My precious child, I love you and will never leave you!
Never, ever, during your trials and testings.!
When you saw only one set of footprints,!
It was then that I carried you.”
One night I had a dream.!
As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.!
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.!
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,!
One belonging to me and one to my Lord.
After the last scene of my life flashed before me,!
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.!
I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,!
especially at the very lowest and saddest times,!
there was only one set of footprints.
This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.!
“Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,!
You’d walk with me all the way.!
But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,!
there was only one set of footprints.!
I don’t understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me.”
He whispered, “My precious child, I love you and will never leave you!
Never, ever, during your trials and testing
One night I had a dream.!
As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.!
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.!
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,!
One belonging to me and one to my Lord.
After the last scene of my life flashed before me,!
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.!
I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,!
especially at the very lowest and saddest times,!
there was only one set of footprints.
This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.!
“Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,!
You’d walk with me all the way.!
But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,!
there was only one set of footprints.!
I don’t understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me.”
He whispered, “My precious child, I love you and will never leave you!
Never, ever, during your trials and testing