“Madam,put your hand on my shoulder and jump down,” Kushlesh told me as I was stuck in the elevator. He was one of six watchmen in the building and offered to get me out. A year ago he wouldn’t have suggested such a rescue but the pandemic had changed all rules.

In fact, 2020 was a year which brought all of us together with our joint experience of being locked up in a ‘bubble’.

There went my #WOTY for 2020 which was DETACH.

Ironically, Word Of The Year, which more or less sets the tone for the year , was completely upended by the end of 2020.

With 2020 being what it was , I could hardly be detached in what I did. In fact I seemed to be more absorbed with my daily chores and the people around me.

The only things I detached myself from were blogging and walking and other ‘me-time’ activities like meeting friends, watching movies and reading books.

I was completely immersed in the lives of my family, househelp and the building staff because we were all in it together for a good nine months . My neighbours became friends during our community shopping ventures . A new familiarity developed with the minimal staff around .

Circumstances have probably derailed most of us this year and the current news about the virus’ mutation doesn’t augur any change in 2021.

But that doesn’t mean that all is lost .

As I watched the conjunction of the Jupiter and Saturn on December 21st, the phenomenon of the Christmas Star, I couldn’t help feel a surge of joy coursing through my body seeing the wonder of the Universe and the hope that it inspired .

Embrace the change

And that’s how I chose the word #embrace to be my #WOTY 2021.

Because, if there is anything I really learned in 2020 is that we are helpless onlookers and participants in the larger scheme of things. The best made plans of mice and men do come to naught in the face of reality .

The only option left , therefore, is to accept. Accept not with reluctance or despair but with hope . With grace . And with love .

And the one word that truly epitomises acceptance with hope and love is embrace .

Thus in 2021, I will embrace myself, warts and all.

I will embrace life with all its challenges.

Merry Christmas to those celebrating and a Happy New Year to all !

See you next year .

Ciao