Reflecting on 2020

2020 was certainly challenging, but I will never be able to say that it sucked, because God gave me the greatest joy and love I have ever known--my son. Even when my faith has been tested, the literal bundle of joy I hold in my arms every day keeps me grounded and motivated, provides me perspective, and is teaching me a lot of patience. As I reflect on this past year, there is one thing I have been thinking about that I haven't yet addressed in this blog, and that is my privileges. The reason I thought to close out this year reflecting on this, is because it reminds me of how much I have to be grateful for, which in turn is also how much I owe to those around me, my community, and my overall contribution to the society I one day want to leave behind.

It's not always easy to recognize some of our privileges, and some may even be a tough pill to swallow. But every privilege we have is power to do good. So here are a few of the privileges I have been reflecting on and am grateful for.

• Though I am oft frugal, and was raised that way, I have never truly had to worry about money. I have always had enough clothing to wear and a full belly.
• I have always been able to depend on and turn to my parents in times of need, and even in times of want.
• I have had the privilege of obtaining a Juris Doctorate and not practicing. This one was actually recently pointed out to me as a privilege, and I realize it now. I racked up a hefty student loan, but chose instead to be happy and pursue a career I "love." Not everyone has that privilege.
• Instead of raising our baby in our dilapidated one-bedroom apartment in the heart of LA, my parents welcomed us home, and the baby even has his own room. This has been the greatest blessing throughout the pandemic...next to the actual baby, of course.
• I have an incredibly supportive community around me. I feel this is more of a blessing than a privilege but some blessings are privileges and I know not everyone feels they have a support system they can lean on, be it family, friends, religious community, or a community organization.
• I met a young woman through IG recently, whose family disowned her after she came out. Being gay is also illegal in her country. So, I also have the privilege of loving who I love.
• For the past two years, my husband has supported me in pursuing a career in writing, producing, and starting my own business.
• As an Asian American woman, I have the privilege of being assumed to be nice, unthreatening, and intelligent. I hope and think that I am all those things, but there are those around me who aren't afforded that privilege, and are instead treated as non-white criminals.

2020 has tested many of us, and brought a lot of pain. I hope that each of you is taking time to heal, to take care of your health (mental, physical, and emotional), that you stay connected with people even if virtually, and that you find and create joy through all types of weather.

And hopefully this time next year we'll be able to hug each other again.

Love,

​Justine