2020 left it’s mark. For some, it even left scars. Whether you had the worst year or the best (SIDENOTE: seriously who tf even AREEEE you if you’re the latter person tho let’s be real 🥴 also don’t talk to anyone cuz the rest of us we don’t like you)

But this year? This year BRANDED it’s way into our narratives.

I passed this tree on a hiking trail this summer (maybe fall? What is time?!) and I walked back to look at it closer. If I’d been walking too quickly by these carvings would look just like any other ridge in the bark of a tree. But if you just stop and take in the moment, like each of these people who carved their initials did, you’d see that these aren’t just ridges. They’re not even just carvings.

These are moments. They’re promises and possibly heartbreaks. They’re smiles and tears. They’re first steps and sunset kisses. They’re long fights over who’s taking the garbage out or who’s cooking for the 14th day straight because it’s f*cking quarantine and DoorDash is just too goddamn expensive every day in month 9.

2020 may have left me (and maybe you too) feeling just like this tree looks. Carved UP! But it also gave us the ability to not walk so fast. To not mistake the moments for the ridges.

I set out this year to learn to be fearless. 2020 showed me that #findingfearless was just the ridge. Instead I needed to find intention, vulnerability, grace, and gratitude. We were presented with moments of true fear. As individuals and as a collective. And in greeting them with each of these things we made it through. I made it through.

I don’t know what 2021 looks like. None of us do. But what I do know is that it’s just the ridge. And if we continue to slow down and look closer, it will be filled so many moments.