My Top 3 Take Aways from A Tumultuous Year
By: Aaron Chang
In all of my years on this planet, 2020 has been the most extreme time, I would say since World War 2, when my Dad was a teenager and watched the attack on Pearl Harbor in Oahu.
He heard the planes, ran down to a hill above the harbor and watched from a concrete drainage ditch as chaos and destruction rained down on his beautiful homeland of Hawaii.
No, this time isn’t the same kind of destruction.
It’s not the same kind of chaos.
But it is the same in that the game of life has been turned upside down. Seemingly overnight…
… and it’s up to us how we are going to respond.
This year I have shared with you all my fears about shutting down our galleries for 10 weeks in March…
… my frustration with the state closing down the beach and making surfing illegal during that time.
… and my concern for all of my friends with businesses that were trying to navigate this “new normal.”
Of course I have been worried about my parents staying safe too, and have had some close calls with friends getting VERY sick during this time.
After coming out the other side (and knowing we’re in for a dark winter) here is what I have learned:
1.) Find the Gratitude. Make this a daily practice every morning. Take inventory of the things around you that you have to be grateful for and CHERISH them.
Waking up everyday with all of your body parts physically functioning is nothing short of a miracle! Thank your lungs for breathing. Thank your heart for beating. Thank God for the life force that has been given to you each and every day.
2.) True joy is found in the simple things – this year, my wife Erika and I got two new Saluki puppies. She grew up with them as a young girl and has always loved them. They are amazing animals. Loyal, elegant and faster than the wind!
Watching these pups play and grow has brought us tremendous joy. We have also met an entire new community of dog lovers, just by getting out every morning to walk them.
3.) Appreciate and take care of your family – It felt like yesterday when our 2 boys were born. Life goes by in the blink of an eye… enjoy each day you have with them.
People ask me all the time, how do I keep doing what I’ve been doing for as long as I have.
My answer: It’s my passion. A gift. It brings me joy to show you a beautiful world…
…and It’s our choice each and every day to focus on that beauty.
Thank you for all of your support throughout the year and for inspiring me to keep going through it all.
Regards,
Aaron