Gratitude is something we should practice everyday
I will be the first to admit that I don’t always slow down and appreciate all the blessings in my life. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only changed my short-term perspective while being quarantined, it has also profoundly changed my outlook moving forward.
I feel incredibly blessed to have a workplace that allows me to work from home while also homeschooling my son. I have a roof over my head and my family is not panicking about where our next meal will come from.
Like many, I haven’t ventured out of my house in weeks, other than to go on walks with my family. I miss going to the gym, dining out at our favorite restaurants and being able to take my son to the store so he can pick out something with his allowance money. I will never take those little things for granted ever again. I will relish in doing even the most mundane tasks, like grocery shopping, because even that is a blessing.
I will start my days with gratitude and thank God for my blessings, big and small.
Technology – Can’t live with it, Can’t live without it
Because we’ve been mostly confined to our homes, we’ve become increasingly dependent on technology. Most would sing its praises since it gives us the power to order virtually anything and have it sent to our homes.
It allows us to keep in touch with loved ones. I’ve personally seen the positive impact technology has had on my military community. In Facebook groups, people are posting free masks and offering up supplies and groceries. They’ve even organized neighborhood scavenger hunts with artwork themes that we post in our windows for the kids to find. It has brought people together.
I’ve also seen the ugly side of technology. For some who already struggle with anxiety or depression, the constant barrage of media coverage and panic weigh heavily on their mental well-being. I guess like most things, technology is good in moderation.
Empathy translates to the best actions
COVID-19 has affected every person and family in a different way.
A single parent that has just been furloughed and doesn’t know how they’re going to pay rent or feed their family is feeling the ripple effect significantly more than me.
The family members who cannot say goodbye or attend their loved one’s funerals due to restrictions will have to live with that forever.
Before we blast the media as fake news or ignore the suggestions of health experts, we should think of those who are truly suffering. It’s not “fake news” to them.
Before we complain about being forced to stay home or complain about our kids driving us crazy, we should think about all the essential workers who’d give anything to be home with their families.
Putting yourself in other people’s shoes evokes empathy and molds the actions we take. Daniel Goleman, an author and emotional intelligence expert, said, “With compassionate empathy we not only understand a person’s predicament and feel with them, but are spontaneously moved to help, if needed.”
Relationships are the most important things in life
As with all tough situations, I am compelled to remember what is truly important in life. I’ve had more FaceTimes, phone conversations and virtual happy hours with friends and family in the past six weeks than I’ve had in years.
Why does it take something like this for us to prioritize our relationships?
Working from home and being able to home school my son has been extremely rewarding. We’ve learned together, cooked together, laughed together and yes, bickered together. I haven’t taken one single moment for granted.
Moving forward, I hope to be better about living in the now, being completely present and making time for those I love so dearly. When I start to fall back into old habits, I’ll remind myself of the lessons I learned while being quarantined.
Fantastic read! So relatable and applicable for all people!
Good Morning Holli, thank you for visiting our website and leaving a comment.