Jamie Scammahorn, Licensed Professional Counselor

Turning the page on 2020 is something most of us are unapologetically ready to do! We have experienced many things that we’d never fathomed could happen in our country and our world. So much was out of our control and we felt helpless as we watched a virus ravage our country, physically, mentally, emotionally, politically, financially, socially.....we lost our way of life, some choices and freedoms, and our ability to just do whatever we please without considering anyone el...se....and maybe that’s ok, maybe we needed to learn to consider others a little more.... We witnessed the very best in people and the very worst in people. We witnessed sacrifice and selfishness. We witnessed heroic behavior and horrific behavior. And though at times, this year became very heavy and difficult to traverse, we never lost the choice we had to show kindness and love, to show compassion and respect, to look for more ways in which we are the alike and less ways in which we are different. So we turn the page on 2020, but perhaps there are lessons we will take from this infamous year that will make us better human beings in 2021.

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Drop that baggage

I have hesitated to post this graphic many times because I have a little issue with the my circumstances part. I happen to think there are times we CAN control our circumstances, NOT AWAYS....but sometimes. I just keep coming back to it though because most of it is really good and worth sharing. Stress, anxiety and depression can come from trying to control those things outside of our control BUT we are NOT helpless! We CAN control our actions and reactions, our choices, our thoughts, our behaviors towards ourselves and others. Let yourself off the hook for those things out of your control and work on what you CAN control. It’s liberating and empowering and you’ll be glad you did