Time for reflection and perspective
Is this the new normal? What will the new normal look like? How will we know when the “new normal” has arrived? One thing is almost certain – it is highly unlikely that the world as we knew it earlier this year will return to that point in any rapid form. Or maybe not at all.
The new phrase “social distancing” will go down in history as the marker that the world changed. It seems that the virus is at least flattening out – or, as the pundits say, “flattening the curve, “so the question now becomes one of how soon do businesses, schools, churches and all of the other things we have shut down – resume? If this step is taken too soon then a resurgence of the virus could happen. And needless to say, that would be a real bad thing.
I don’t think anyone is rushing into these decisions and the federal government seems comfortable to let the states make the decision as to the timing and extent of reopening for business so to speak.
Let’s take a moment to thank all of our local doctors, nurses, health care workers and all of the first responders who are putting people first and themselves last. It takes courage and a good heart to care for others, especially when there is high risk involved. Our community thanks you for your dedication and unwavering resolve during this crisis. You are always appreciated but I think we would all agree that this is several steps beyond the normal. We thank you!
For those that are working from home this “shutdown” has put things into an entirely different place. How have we utilized that time? If you have children perhaps it has given you a new appreciation of their world, or the world of a stay at home spouse. The correct term would really be “work from home” spouse. Most of us that have logical and reasonable intelligence know that a “stay at home” mom – or a “stay at home” dad – works very hard.
My point is that among all of these challenges there are also opportunities – opportunities to visit with your kids more and see things from their perspective – this is especially possible if you are working from home as millions of Americans are doing. There is always more than one way to view things – something that most of our parents told us at one time – or multiple times – before.
We can view this COVID-19 as the worst thing that has ever happened – for most of us alive right now – in our lifetimes. There are other ways to view it as well – finding the positives in a different pace of life – perhaps this has given you the opportunity to look at things from a higher vantage point and examine where you are in life and consider making some long overdue changes. A worldwide pandemic tends to put things in perspective. Family, health, community, faith, giving, caring about our friends and neighbors and many more. You get it.
Category: Mark's Musings, Opinion
