Wow, so much has changed since I penned my last post on the coronavirus. From a major concern to a global pandemic life as many of us know it has indefinitely changed. I would be lying if I wasn’t filled with worry or concern about all of the uncertainties of how this will all play out. So much is unknown. However, I am trying my best to keep calm and carry on. That is all we can do in such unnerving times.
While toilet paper has officially run out at most stores, and life is slowly but inevitably shutting down, it just all feels surreal. As I try to go about my day to day business, I’m constantly reminded even from the pet food supplier of what I need to do to prepare for the dreaded virus. You can’t escape it no matter what you try to do. Turn on your computer and log on to email, it is there. Turn on your car radio, it is there. Schools, gyms, museums and even churches have closed. Offices have advised employees to work from home. Every day something unexpected shuts down. Even going to the grocery store feels odd while shoppers hurriedly rush through the aisles, stocking up on supplies that could last a year, and God forbid, you accidentally cough and then come those accusatory looks of fear that you may have it. I feel like we are living out a bad dream. It is simply not like anything we have collectively ever experienced in our lifetime.
When I think about the implications, I have to selflessly look away from my own life and all the canceled travel plans, and think of the impact the pandemic will have on the world as a whole. This is when I truly start to worry. But rather than dwell or fill myself with fear of the unknown, I try to focus on the positive things in life and the silver linings. Starting Monday both of my kids will be home doing school online. For now, they are saying three weeks but in all honestly, I imagine it to be for quite a while as the virus hasn’t even begun to truly surface yet in my home state of Minnesota. My husband soon may also be working at home as he works in one of the most populated skyscrapers in the city. Soon we will all at least be together in this unusual, unsettling time. My gym has closed. Going out to eat feels odd. The only place where people are coming out of our early winter hibernation is on walks around the still-frozen lake. I get the feeling I will be doing a lot of walking and social distancing these upcoming weeks.
I am truly grateful that I have the flexibility and the means to be working at home. I worry about all the families in our community who live paycheck to paycheck and don’t have the means to be stock up on supplies and miss work when life shuts down. About all the children at our neighborhood schools who rely on the free and reduced lunches as one of their main meals of the day. Of all the small businesses, the travel companies, basically everything. I have no idea how we will be able to help.
As we prepare to hunker down and stay put for who knows how long, I try to take some deep breaths and remember that this too shall pass. It is a scary, uncertain time. It is time to bring out kindness, compassion, resilience and perseverance. To work together as a community and pitch in.
In times of worry, I look for inspiration and beauty in the world. Thus, I end with a few words of wisdom.
“Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers but to be fearless in facing them”. – Rabindranath Tagore
“I don’t think of all the misery, but of the beauty that still remains”. – Anne Frank
And I look for the silver linings. Stores have begun to open again in China as life comes slowly but surely back to normal. This too shall pass.
Stay strong and stay well.
wonderful post… s
Thanks!
Stay strong… Nothing bad will happen!
🙂
We live with hope to get through it all safely. ‘Keep calm and carry on’ doesn’t sound so cliche anymore!
Yes so true. Thanks for the words of wisdom.
You are quite right about it all feeling surreal…. I just wish the media would stop whipping us into a frenzy. We need to stay calm….
Yes so true. I can’t believe the grocery store shelves. It is just crazy. I also wish we had better leadership in times like this.
Indeed
Hi. Thanks for reading all my posts! I love your hopeful photos. I think nature is very healing. While nature produced this virus, at least we think so, nature also produced the sky, clouds, mountains. And Anne Frank is always inspiring!
Thanks so much for the comment! Yes, nature truly is healing. 🙂
Your beautiful words are very powerful, Nicole. I particularly like, “It is time to bring out kindness, compassion, resilience and perseverance.” What an important reminder to all of us. Thank you. <3 Hugs, Terri
Thanks Terri! Yes some of the acts of kindness have really been great to see. Stay well Terri!
Starting from today, my company imposes a work-from-home policy. They also issued a strict guideline of do’s and don’ts during this uncertain period. When physical contact is strongly discouraged these days, I feel that there’s no better time for our online blogging community to show support for each other. And this post of yours did just that, Nicole. Stay safe and healthy!
Yes so true! Now we need our virtual community more than ever! Stay well and healthy.
Have you seen Amy’s post for Lens Artists, Nicole? It feels so vulnerable and expresses what many of us are feeling. I know you’ll get through this fine. Let’s just hold hands virtually 🙂 🙂
Just read her post. It is so beautiful. Thanks Jo!
Our kids’ school told parents kids would be home for “at least two weeks.” They told the kids that’d be at least five weeks. Like you, my husband and I were already prepared for the idea that it could be longer than that–potentially much longer.
I share your worries about our broader communities, and gratitude for the grace I can find here. I’ve been running so much since my first son was born, I’m SO grateful for a chance to really sit and be with them before starting a new job next week. I’m grateful my husband is at home, and he’s grateful I’m at home these transition days … better for everything, that it worked out this way for us!
Wishing health & peace to you & beyond
Thanks so much for the comment. A lot of people have looked at the silver linings these days like taking the time to just slow do and to be. To be grateful for what we have and our family. Good luck with the new job and yes wishing you too health and peace.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay well Nicole, and all your family.
It is indeed an interesting time we live in, and I believe there are all kinds of silver linings. People are discovering what’s important, and nature is getting a much needed break from crowds and pollution. And yes, this too will pass.
Hugs,
Alison
Thanks for your words of wisdom as always Alison! So true! 🙂 Sending hugs…
Your words of wisdom are so wonderful as always Alison. Very true. Sending hugs to you!