As is often the case, I’m lying here by moonlight writing my thoughts. For me, the quiet of the night has always been the time when I can stop and focus. As I write this, I’m in the middle of a staycation. While I’ve thought of multiple versions of a post to capture the last two years, this is the first time I’ve been able to just sit with myself and put those thoughts onto paper.

To start, it’s important for you to understand just some of the things that have formed this narrative.

Loss and Life Lessons
In the Fall of 2019 I lost my Aunt to cancer, another friend and mentor to cancer in 2020, had my world completely upended like we all did by the pandemic, and was completely disgusted by the ignorance, bigotry and selfishness displayed by humanity, and its complete inability to learn from its own past. Then 5 months ago, and for the second time in her life, my Mother heard the words “you have cancer.” It was in that moment that I felt like any semblance of order, familiarity or calm around me completely shattered. Anyone who has ever heard those words or is a family member or friend of someone who has knows the full force of the many thoughts that hit you simultaneously. Two months later, she was given the all clear and was told “you’re cancer-free.” Those two months were the longest of my life. Thankfully and with deep gratitude beyond my ability to describe in words, it was caught early and dealt with quickly. The care my Mom received from doctors and healthcare professionals through Alberta Health Services was exceptional and she’s just finished a 4-week course of radiation and is feeling pretty good. Her grace, grit and no-nonsense approach to navigating these last few months has been one of my great life lessons.

Turning 40 and Reflections from a Pandemic Bubble
Now, in amongst navigating all of this, there were also some really wonderful moments. I turned 40, which led to a lot of meaningful reflection about my life, where I’ve come from and who I am today. This led to a return to engaging in my lifelong love of writing and realizing on many other levels the value of the life and work experiences I have to share. These led to the true launch of my blog in January 2021. I also experienced the gift of spending the most time I have in years with my parents and Angus (my stubborn, yet completely adorable West Highland Terrier) as we hung out in our own little McVicar pandemic bubble. They even got to be the very willing test diners as I expanded my cooking repertoire, which is something I’ve enjoyed doing since I was 13. I consider the time I’ve spent with them a gift that I wouldn’t trade for anything. I’ve also had more time to myself than well, ever, and my mental health has had stretches of time where it’s been the best it’s ever been (I’m still reflecting on why this is true).

My Life Navigation Hacks
Now, you might be thinking that was a lot all at once, and yes, it was. But it’s one story, just like any of the multiple complexities any one of us can face at any given time. My work, the conversations I have on an almost daily basis, and the way I’m hardwired mean I have reflected a lot on almost every major life event I’ve been through, how I’ve navigated whatever’s been thrown at me and the people in my life, and what I’ve learned as a result. Looking back at many of these moments including the last two years, I’ve been helped through by hope, family and new beginnings. Let me explain.

Hope: In Once Upon a Time, Mary Margaret comments: “Believing in even the possibility of a happy ending is a powerful thing, but living with that kind of belief – that’s the most powerful thing of all. That’s hope.” As someone known for his optimism, and with Positivity as one of my CliftonStrengths, this quote frames part of how I view our world. I’ve seen the power optimism has played for people in my life navigating life-threatening illness, and in how so many of us have navigated the pandemic. Connecting to Kristina’s post from last week, my positivity and optimism have also been my superpower to handle any seemingly unsurmountable hurdle life has thrown at me and through which I’ve come out stronger. Hope, positivity, optimism or whatever you call it has always been my light in the dark.

Family and The Gift of Time: As an only child, I’m fortunate to have a strong relationship with my parents and I don’t know what I would have done without them over the last two years. The same is true for my family, those I’m related to and the friends I consider my family. Over the years I’ve learned the importance of asking for help when we need it, being kind to ourselves as we navigate whatever’s going on and making sure the people in our lives know how important they‘ve been in our journey. This brings us to time. The time to write, blog and cook reminded me of the multiple dimensions that make up who I am, and the same is true for each of us. Coming out of the pandemic is also a new beginning for each of us. Our world has changed in fundamental ways we both understand and don’t yet realize.

And so, two questions/action items to leave you with this week:
• What and/or who has helped you navigate the pandemic and any other challenges you’ve experienced over the last two years? Whoever those people are, thank them and let them know how important they are to you.
• What have you learned about yourself, and how does this influence who you are going forward? Share this learning with people in your life.