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Rise Up

Because in spite of it all, we will rise up and walk it out.

By Julia AlfredPublished 4 years ago 3 min read
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2020.

The year that took our balance and for some the balance we thought we had. No one saw this coming except for maybe Bill Gates. If you don’t believe me check it out on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Af6b_wyiwI. What do you think the five most popular answers would be to the question “What have you learnt in 2020 so far?” Honestly there may not be just five answers but from what is felt, read and seen - loss seems to be the prevalent theme.

In some way or the other, we have each suffered some loss in 2020. Loss of loved ones, loss of health, loss of jobs, loss of security and assurance of our future, loss of community and social interaction, loss of self and there’s a high chance you reading this can lengthen the list. Whatever it is, we have all had to work very hard in some way or the other and are still working to find the balance once more. We must also not forget the loss of nature and wildlife due to the Australian fire at the beginning of 2020. Be it whatever way we fell short of, everyone will have a tale to tell in the coming years because as a collective we were forced to drop our facades that we may have been wearing as a coat for years to fight as a collective.

The amount of tears shed this year so far must be equivalent to a week’s worth or more of consistent rain. We all feel the strains of this year on our relationships, livelihoods and sanity. So much that when Andra Day belts out the lyrics of her song Rise Up it feels like a friend holding out a hand for you to take. Her voice lifts you up and the melody steadys you and somewhere within those 4 minutes and 13 seconds you can feel something.

So if need be, should you cry when you listen to this song, cry for all the times you never allowed yourself to - I did. Or simply smile as you appreciate all that surrounds you and all that you are overcoming each day - I do. As the song says, “All we need is hope and for that we have each other”. 2020 is not over yet, but when you feel like the days are starting to beat you down, or loneliness starts to creep in, take Andra’s lyrical hand and rise up. Rise up with the hopes of telling your side of 2020 in 2021 and years to come. Be Andra’s voice for your family, for your friends and whoever else may need it.

When we look back at 2020, let it be the year we survived. Whatever it is we overcame, let it be the year we moved mountains and opened doors and stepped into where we dared not entered before. Let it be the year we said no more to whatever was holding us back before because whether we believe in reincarnation or not, we have one chance to live in this century. It will take some time before normality returns but when it does, who knows if we will even recognise it.

I know that somewhere down the line, when whatever device I will be using at that time to listen to music shuffles this song into play, I will definitely remember all that has come to pass to get me where I am and I will without a doubt be reminded of my experiences of waking up in 2020. Will I cry? Will I smile? I can’t say now, but try me again in a few years.

healing
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About the Creator

Julia Alfred

I am a born Dreamer leading an unbelievable life.Encountered people who match the villainous and heroic personas we read about in stories & done things I would surely do better.

A penny for my thoughts is worth it.

Visit Cathartic Whispers

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