Lots of people want to say that 2020 was “the worst year ever.” It just seems a little to easy and while the world did see lots of negative things happen, it’s certainly contextual for each person and generation.

If anyone wants to focus on the negative, there was certainly plenty of stuff to see but if you’re more like me and prefer the “glass half full” approach, there were probably a few bright spots you’ll look back on from 2020 and smile.

I asked the question on Facebook over the weekend and smiled at the over 100 comments I received with friends sharing everything from the birth of new babies (and grand babies), weddings, new homes, careers, and more.

Here are a few of my bright spots from 2020…

  • My daughter turned 21. One of my favorite memories of the year was definitely going to a small local craft brewery with her in Hilton Head during our Spring Break. Something cool about enjoying a cold beer with your kid.
  • Delivering 12 in person presentations before live events shut down for the year.
  • Delivering over 65 virtual presentations to audiences from Napa to Nashville and from Spokane to St Pete. Thanks to Zoom, Microsoft Teams, StreamYard, Facebook LIVE, Instagram’s IGTV and FaceTime for helping me get “face to face” with more people.
  • Developing some new sessions for 2020 like Leave Your Mark, How to Keep In Touch When You’re Not Supposed to Be Touching, Leap Into Business (for Rookies) and Links in a Chain. It was nice to mix them in with some of my “greatest hits” sessions like “The Realtors Toolbox,” “Getting in Tune with Your Audience,” “Get in the Game,” and “Give Em Something to Talk About” among others.
  • My son Ryan “graduating” from high school. Well, he finished and earned a diploma but like so many seniors last year wasn’t able to enjoy a ceremony of any kind…other than a parade with his classmates through the streets of our town.
  • Cardio and Coffee time with my 84-year-old Mom. I was worried that with the lockdown protocols that happened early in the pandemic that she wouldn’t get much exercise or socialization so I have been going over to her 3-4 times a week for a short walk in her neighborhood and then we go on a “field trip” to Starbucks. It keeps her active and keeps me in her good graces. Years from now, I’ll be thankful for all that extra time sharing stories of the past and updates on the current.
  • I got to escort my Ryan to Akron to watch him successfully pass his P.A.T (Player’s Ability Test) which he needed for one of his collegiate program requirements.
  • Riley got to be home with us all fall as her class schedule at South Carolina went completely virtual.
  • Ryan still got to experience something of a “freshman year” at Mississippi State University in Starkville.
  • My post-birthday trip to play golf with buddies in Pinehurst, North Carolina. One of my most memorable and fulfilling long-weekends in many years.
  • I enjoyed several live interviews on Facebook LIVE called “Carp’s Corner Conversations” with mentors like Kim Daugherty, Chris Leader, Matthew Ferrara and friends Pete Blank, Michael Bennett, Luke Acree and Joshua Stike, Martin Foy, Alex Camelio, and Matthew Rathbun. (More of these to come in 2021 so stay tuned)
  • I hosted a fun virtual “game show” on Friday nights called “Lost Lyrics.” It started around the time of the lockdown and continued all year long, with friends from all over the country testing their memories and musical knowledge. Season Three will continue in the new year so as I like to say, “put on your “thinkin’ and drinkin’ hats and join us.”
Author Seth Godin (bottom right) drops in to say hello on my Book Club Zoom
  • That time I hosted a virtual book club for Seth Godin’s new book The Practice and Seth surprised us by dropping in to say hello!
  • I was able to successfully guide many families in their home buying and selling journeys.

All in all, while I would have loved to avoid the pandemic virus and political vitriol, I sure wouldn’t have wanted to miss all the opportunities I enjoyed to build relationships, solve problems, and have fun. In fact, looking ahead to 2021, I think I’ll try to make sure those three things remain at the top of my “To Do” list.

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