Life through a different lens

Clouds catch their last glimmers of light on Sunday, as seen from Route 4 in West Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The impact of 2020 and its myriad challenges is something we'll be processing for years to come. But one thing is true for many: We see life through a different lens now.

To that point, it's instructive to revisit one of the biggest examples of this shift, early on in the pandemic. That's a renewed, collective emphasis on what matters most in life — largely a function of being at home far more often, having more time to spend with family and friends, and reflecting on new ways to grow as a person.

Many people have learned a lot during this time, and we'd like to sit down and share those experiences with those we love, beyond the usual call or email. For a lot of people, however, that's not possible this holiday season, due to tighter state restrictions on gatherings. To not have that ability this year is painful for many, especially in a year when we've all gone through so much. That said, people are finding interactive ways to still make the holidays special and gather virtually, thanks to the Zoom platform we all know so much about now.

Perhaps that's one lesson we take from 2020, to innovate more, using the technology that is all around us and always developing. At the same time, seeing life through a different lens has given us a greater awareness of other things that are all around us, such as the opportunity to enjoy nature, or to take a few minutes to chat with a friend. These are things we may not have embraced as much in a different year, when the routine of business and daily life were fully undisturbed. But here, in this moment, these smaller points have been renewed in our lives and are showing their true worth. Now, it's up to us to continue to embrace them, let them enrich us, and remain open to the opportunities they bring. Just as courageous sailors have followed the north star, let us find that same guiding presence in what life is teaching us, in this changing world where new views of ourselves brighten the path to lasting progress.

— Gareth Henderson