LOSS AND OPPORTUNITY- FLIP SIDES OF THE SAME COIN

    This coronavirus is certainly getting in the way of our living our lives, isn't it?  Or is it just getting in the way that we were USED TO living our lives?   Is it safe to say that most of us actually liked the ways in which we were conducting our lives?  I can't speak for you, but for me, personally, I was a happy camper.  I didn't need this strong wind to adjust my sails, thank you very much!  I was sailing along just fine, with a few storms here and there, some rough waters,  to be sure, but was still able to keep the boat upright and moving along.

      But, as we find so often in life, things don't stay good forever,(unfortunately!), just as they don't stay bad forever (thank goodness!). The only thing constant in life is change.  So what are some of the opportunities that have come out of the losses most of us are experiencing?

      CREATIVITY is off the charts!  My own sister and brother-in-law are making birdhouses and mailboxes that are one of a kind and utterly spectacular!  What a team they have become!  (check out Terry Janis on FB). 

All over the internet, creative people are designing masks.  Teachers have been creative in trying to teach virtually, as have personal trainers.  Museums and musical theaters are opening their virtual doors to us.  These are just a few examples.  I'm sure you could share alot more.

     TIME has also become so much more appreciated.  It used to be fleeting, because all of our schedules were so maxed out, that quality time was hard to come by.  We were always rushing off to the next meeting, class, event, trip.   My niece, who never got to spend enough time with her kids, because of her hours of work, has been able to be a full-time mom for once (although that can't last much longer). My son-in-law who spent a large part of his career traveling, both nationally and internationally, has been quarantined at home with his newborn daughter and wife, which has been invaluable for all of them!  What a gift it's been.  There is no "dad helping mom out" here.  He is a full-time dad, conducting business online, with his baby strapped to his chest!  And an extra bonus is that my daughter is fortunate enough to be presented with homemade breakfast, lunch and dinner, brought to her side, 3 times a day!  Lucky gal!

     APPRECIATION has come front and center and isn't relegated to "oh, by the way, thanks." Sometimes, we didn't even say that.  How often did we ever think of grocery store clerks and stockers, truck drivers, farmers, teachers, restaurant owners and staff, hospital staff, nail techs, hairdressers, etc. other than to know that they sure made our lives easier?  But did we ever really give them much more thought than that?  Probably not much.  I will not be stingy with saying thank you anymore.  There is plenty to go around.

    FREEDOM was so taken for granted, wasn't it?  How awful it had to be to live in a communist country, we might have thought.  Well, we certainly don't live in one, but we now know what's it like to have more restrictions on our freedoms than we've ever had before. To  be able to go outside, visit places or people we love just because, go to the grocery store, never seeing empty shelves, eat out at our favorite restaurants, go to movies, plays, concerts, have friends over for dinner or cards or conversation.....oh, to be free.  You know that old saying, you don't really know what you have until it's gone?  I'll bet that most Americans took freedom for granted, just because we were born here. Our soldiers didn't and don't, but alot of us did.  Such a shame. Soon, when we are able to go and do those things that we did before, how much sweeter they will be.

    RELATIONSHIPS have taken on a whole new meaning.  Maybe we used to complain about family members, but now, we would give anything to be able to be with them in person (that is, unless we have all been quarantined together! ha! ha!)  Parents of adult kids who all live far away from each other, grandparents and grandkids who may even live in the same city, but have to wave to each other from across the street or behind a window- Zoom and/or FaceTime have become invaluable.  Families play games together online, friends have happy hours, grandparents read books to their grandkids, etc.   We are making time to actually laugh, love, play and cherish each other!!  I hope this never changes back to the way things were!
    So, yes, my friends, these last couple of months have been more than difficult.  I'm not telling you anything you don't already know!  But if we could just stand still, for a moment or two each day, (hopefully, more than that),  and look around us- take in the blue sky and the green grass, the colorful flowers and the huge shade trees, watch and listen to children, talk to the elderly and learn from them, treat our loved ones, and ourselves,(!) with kindness, tolerance and compassion- then, just maybe, our more open eyes and hearts will make our world even better than it was before.