I was originally going to write about how horrendous this year had been. I was writing and I realized that every single person on this planet knows that this has been a pretty horrible year. Everyone knows someone that has been affected by COVID-19, we all have felt the political unrest on our backs for quite some time now and I thought...why am I going to write an article about all the bad things that this year has brought that are already engraved in our minds. I started to reflect on the beautiful things that happened this year that brought my soul solace. The year 2020 may have been a rough year but that doesn't mean there wasn't beauty happening around us. We just have to open our eyes and see it.
Here are 20 good things that happened in 2020 that made my heart smile:
1. We showed overwhelming support and appreciation torwards essential workers, health care workers and teachers.
Photo by Nicholas Bartos on UnsplashThe very people who kept the world running when it was in shambles. We will remember and we thank you.
2. NASA named the Washington D.C. headquarters after the first black female engineer, Mary W. Jackson.
You can read more about it here.
3. John Krasinski came up with “Some Good News”
GiphyThis was the time in 2020 where every report on the news seemed to get worse and didn't look like it was going to look up anytime soon...Some Good News came to give us the hope that all of needed at that time.
4. For the first time ever, an internation fillm 'Parasite' won an Oscar for best film.
Happy Bong Joon Ho GIF by The Academy AwardsGiphyCAN WE JUST APPRECIATE HOW HAPPY BONG JOON HO LOOKS HERE?? Kick butt movie, you can find it on Hulu but here's the trailer.
5. 'Hamilton' got released on Disney+
lin manuel miranda hamilton GIFGiphyThank you Lin-Manuel Miranda for blessing us forever, we are forever indebted to you.
6. ‘Crayola’ launched a crayon box filled with colors to represent every diverse skin color.
'Crayola Colors of the World Crayons' not just one 'skin tone' color anymore, they've upgraded to 24 different colors.
7. DACA was saved.
GiphyIt was a close one and although it may still be vulnerable under the current presidency administration, it was a win for the dreamers! You can read more about what happened here.
8. A 103-year-old grandma beats COVID-19 and chugged it down with some beer.
Our story on Easton's woman's grandmother surviving coronavirus has been picked up by or sister pub, USA Today! Goo… https://t.co/zW1I6pwEAf— Easton Journal (@Easton Journal) 1590604555.0
Jennie Strejna we love you and honestly, what a WOMAN.
10. Drive-in theatres have made a comeback!
GiphyAlthough I do miss going to the movie theatres, drive-in theatres just do it for me aesthetically.
11. Taylor Swift gave us the gift of 'Folklore'.
Personally, my favorite albumn.
12. There is still hope. Joe Biden was voted as president-elect.
Keep the faith and spread it.
13. Kamala Harris becomes the first ever woman vice president-elect.
Thankful for the hope of a presidential campaign that will be represent every American.
14. 2020 taught us that empathy is the way we could survive as a nation.
GiphyIt is as simple as wearing a mask around those most vulnerable and being mindful of the people around you.
15. That episode of 'Some Good News' when the cast of 'The Office' came together
Also this lovely couple get's married??!! Only on 'SGN.
16. We took a break from living a fast-paced life and took it slow in quarantine.
GiphyIt was as if the world stood still and all there was to do but binge watch all the shows you had been wanting to but kept pushing aside due to the business of our daily lives and commitments. Not many could say that they were able to do that, even if quarantine drove you a little stir crazy.
17. There are vaccines in the making that are looking very promising.
UK becomes first country to authorize Pfizer/BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine, first shots roll out next weekThe United Kingdom has become the first Western nation to authorize a Covid-19 vaccine, a landmark moment in the coronavirus pandemic that paves the way for the first doses to be rolled out across the country next week. IT'S HAPPENING PEOPLE!!!
18. Sports were able to keep us from going completely crazy.
GiphyMight have been the smartest move to keep the masses from going crazy. Nontheless, we still get to cheer on football and basketball teams right now.
19. We realized what was most important to us in this life.
GiphyWe all have different ideas of what holds the position of being the most important to us in this life. Mine happens to be my family and friends and I am grateful that right now, we are all doing just okay.
20. I invite you to think of one thing that happened to you in 2020 that brought you joy.
GiphyIt can be as small as you becoming more independent or getting through another semester of school! An accomplishment is an accomplishment no matter how small. It just matters how much that meant to you.
Cheers to all the beautiful things that happened this year and for the hope that things can and will get better.