2020 is well-known as the worst year for many people: many of us trying, and even more not succeeding.

With a pandemic like no other and a huge amount of job loss, people’s moods and morale plummeted. Although, perhaps it was a setback we all needed.

I, of course, did not enjoy the economic downfall many suffered due to COVID-19. However, I do think it gave me the time to see what I lacked in my life truly.

With the government enforcing quarantine and self-isolation, I was forced to stay home.

Aside from my jobs as a gas station attendee and a server at Tim Hortons, I was confined to my house. Some took that time to learn to cook, get in shape, or de-stress with some online retail therapy. As for me, I decided to take that time to look into my future.

What career did I want?

Which colleges had the best program for me?

How much would I have to save to meet my standard of living?

Along with searching for a future path, I decided to get back in touch with my Christian religion. What better time to read the Bible? There were no distractions, and the good Lord knows I had all the time on my hands.

I tried my best to get my life in check. Though like the Coldplay song goes, sometimes you “try your best, but you don’t succeed.”

I made one of the greatest mistakes of my life, one that came with major consequences. I like to try to stay positive, so I suppose the good side of failing myself and my family utterly was that it proved to provide a big enough distraction I could almost forget about the ongoing virus.

My mistake seemed like the end for a time, though with each ending comes a new beginning.

A chapter may have ended in your life during this pandemic, but I challenge you to focus on all the good the next chapter might bring.

As William Barclay said, “Endurance is not just the ability to endure a hard thing, but to turn it into glory.”

Make it glorious, my friends. I have faith that you can do it.

And until then, you can listen to this beautiful live version of “Fix you” from Coldplay: