5 Lessons from 2021

December 17, 2021 / PRIME AND FLOW / By Hanan Akl

2021 has been another year of learning after 2019 and 2020. The past two years have taught us all lessons in life, health, patriotism, etc… Personally, i’ve learned lessons in wellness, friendship, art and more.

In 2019, I decided to focus more on growing an art project i’ve always had in mind. This is where Prime and Flow came to fruition. I tried my best to move from idea generation to actual implementation when it comes to creative projects.

I am grateful for all the abundance the universe granted me with over the past two years, even though they were the most challenging years globally and locally in Lebanon. Keeping the faith, practicing meditation, an abundant mindset, an open heart, an intentions and gratitude list and more… turned the most chaotic period, pandemic and economic downfall into a phase full of opportunities and cosmic gifts.

The biggest lesson: We all know that energy flows where attention goes – so be the flow you need for yourself and you will attract whatever is best for you even amidst a global crisis.

If you need wealth, be it. If you need health, be it. If you need creativity, be it. Instead of looking on the outside and drowning in the weight of the world, look inside and create from within the reality you wish to live in. This is not wishful thinking; this actually works only when you do the inner work.

5 Lessons from 2021:

1. Inner Work

The world may be focused on the negative, but focus on your inner work anyway. Investing in oneself is always worthwhile. In this world, we are alone. Everything else is just an add-on; even the support is fake in most times. It is done to avoid conflict or for other motives. The genuine and caring friends can be rare. If you’ve found yourself one or two, then be very grateful ! Self-care must be self-taught and investing in oneself is the most rewarding experience over a short or long period of time.

2. Expectations

Expectations often let us down, but give anyway. Give genuinely without evaluating how much you are receiving back. Give without expecting the other to give back because often times people have not been raised up as “givers”. They didn’t learn the basics of giving because within their household as children, they themselves were not given so much emotionally, mentally or etc. They were not conditioned to be givers.

When you expect, you may get disappointed, demand things from others and believe you’re qualified to request

When you expect, you may hurt others – when really, there is no friendship based on expectations

How can you learn about the other? How can you give to another by expecting something in return?

Whatever happens, rest free from the blame of expectations. More peace will prevail within, when you let go of expectations.

3. Friendship

The closest of friends may let you down, but forgive them anyway. No matter how much you’ve helped a friend, if they are not balanced and working on their inner self, they may act immaturely and impulsively at any time.

Even though you are doing your inner work, it does not mean that everyone around including your close friends, will also follow the path and work on their spiritual interiority. Your energy and vibrations may improve with your inner work, but the state of being of your closest friend may not… if they don’t do the inner work.

Knowing that, your dearest friend may complain that you’re being too wise all the time. And then because your vibrations are different, he/she may decide to step away from the friendship.

During special milestones in life, one learns who is really like family and who is not. Or perhaps, who pretends to act like family and who is blunt.

Friendship means something different to different people. How I define it, may not be how others view it. It could mean showing up early to events where friends need the support of each other. Or even going beyond the comfort zone, in order to assist another friend. It’s not doing what’s expected but at times exceeding that. In order to deeply connect and build a friendship beyond just entertainment or solace, takes both time and maturity.

It’s to be willing to apologize or talk when misunderstandings happen. It’s to choose peace over conflict even when disappointments happen.

People grow in different ways, sometimes you grow into a person that your friend can’t get along with anymore! That’s life.

4. Creativity & Art Challenges

Some will challenge the art that you do, but do it anyway. Some will set boundaries as to – what you are allowed to or cannot create -, but create it anyway. Some will be envious of the amount of time you set aside for your practice when instead you could spend that time entertaining them, but invest time in your art anyway.

This is a true situation that i’ve faced last year: A close friend may come one day and tell you: “Couldn’t you have found something else to create?” only because you’ve ventured into an art project that is not even close to the work he/she does and they are feeling insecure. Or, they can claim: “I have the right to be upset, because you didn’t share with me your ideas about your upcoming art projects”. Though we all know how personal, vulnerable and delicate an artist’s artwork process can be like, all the way from idea to implementation.

5. Family

Everyone has priorities and different personalities, so take nothing personally. True family supports, encourages, motivates and is not self-centered nor selfish. When you ask for a favor, you find it. You don’t have to ask twice for someone’s support. No matter the distance, family is always close.
Family can also be friends and you may not necessarily be biologically-related…

What’s the biggest lesson that 2021 taught you?

Wishing you a smooth transition into 2022!

– H.