“Stand!”This word echoed and replayed itself through my mind yesterday and even this morning.I watched a funeral online yesterday of an individual I knew and something caught my attention. It was the widower and his action throughout the entire time. He “STOOD!”While the coffin lay at the entrance of the church, siblings, children, the mother and other mourners looked on and engaged in different mannerisms. Yet he “Stood!” I watched him keenly, visualised getting into his shoes or even imagined being transported into his mind to view his thoughts. Of course I knew that was not possible, but I was rather intrigued by his “Stand!” Clearly in grief, yet silently so, he simply “Stood!” Not detracted by those who looked on, not distracted by those who passed near, he just “Stood!” I respected that and was moved by it.My thoughts swirled around as the image of the “Stand!” and how it could apply to us as we prepared to cross over into 2021, pressed hard.Whatever Covid-1 9 dished out to us in 2020, has afforded us an appetite for a delicacy, titillated our taste buds for fine dining while at the same time humbled us to be thankful for original, organic natural, healthy victuals. Being huddled indoors, we needed to come to grips with our silly selves and our ingratitude. Yet we were made aware of a higher plain and a deeper calling we had hitherto ignored or just were unknowledgeable of.We must, of necessity be aware that 2021 is that time to continue being our better selves, and certainly on occasions where we are tempted to quit, be prepared to “Stand!” An indomitable warrior spirit should be at the core of all our pursuits, a fervent resolve for persistent positivity must mark our efforts, as must an eagle mentality in our rise to excellence and the sustenance for continuity. We MUST “STAND!”Even when a crisis may seem to loom, when an adversity threatens, we should Stand!” 2020 has prepared us well and the vision it provided us with should not dim. There is something in our hands, we are perched and positioned, our awakening is here, we have been hurt, but are now alert, so let us “Stand!”Whatever happened under our skirts is the starter kit for greatness as we continue to “Stand!”