Light at the end of the tunnel

The global pandemic is definetly got us on the edge of our seats, impacting our society with fear and uncertainty about the future. The stay-at-home order has people feeling like that are teenagers being "grounded," and the restlessness and boredom commences. Social distancing has people staying at home with their families and not able to engage in normal social events and going to the workplace. While covid is definetely a negative thing in our world right now, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Family values are coming into play more than ever now. The "sit at the dinner table with the family" is becoming more of a custom in the daily lives of the majority of people that are choosing to stay at home. I know I've had a lot of time to think about what's really important, and spending so much time with my family when my life used to be busy and hectic is becoming something I value.

The stay-at-home lifestyle I've adopted during covid has helped me reevaluate how I'd like to live my life once this pandemic comes to a dwindling halt. I no longer wish to waste time on things that have no meaning because life is too short.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has done some soul-searching during this time. Having this paradigm shift has helped me be prepared for a bright new world as soon as covid is under control. Spending more time with family and having sit-down dinners will always be something I make time for. Tending to my housework and keeping my house clean will be another.

they say "everything happens for a reason," and I do believe that there can be some good that comes out of all this bad.

Time spent alone inside can definitely create an environment for some soul-searching and reflection. Sometimes people spend time in regret, thinking they should have done something differently. Rumination should lead to the thought of what we could do better next time. Time alone with nothing to do can have us re-evaluating how we should spend our time and what we should be doing with our lives. Perhaps it's a change of career once Covid-19 is over, perhaps we will choose to spend more time with our loved ones, or try that new restaurant your spouse is always wanting to go to.

Usually we don't appreciate something until it is taken away. This summer in the desert heat, my air conditioning went out. I drove around for weeks, sweating in the smoldering heat and now that I finally got it fixed, I won't take it for granted ever again.

So what won't you take for granted after you finally get it back? Will you run your business differently, will you be nicer to people you see on the street, or the person serving your coffee? will you treat others with greater respect.

Losing a lot of our conveniences and accomodations in life can change our perspective to a view that if we ever get those privileges back, we won't take them for granted anymore and we will cherish the things we love with even a deeper appreciation.

Being one of the fortunate ones who hasn't (yet, knock on wood) contracted corona-virus, i have never valued my own health more. spending a lot of time at home, I have been cooking more frequently and trying to make healthier options. What a homebody i've become. But in all seriousness, if it weren't for this pandemic, I would never have learned the value of health for myself and for my family. In today's day and age, everyone is so busy that nutrition seems like an afterthought for most people. Ensuring that i have my immune system defending me against virus' and illnesses out there, I have even enrolled in a nutrition course online.

Bottom line: Losing something can definitely make us value what we have more, and if you're fortunate enough to have family, cherish them with all your heart because you will never get another one.

In my soul searching i've had some time to decide which career path I want to take going forward.. since i was at a fork in the road so to speak when the pandemic started. Writing is something I enjoy be it articles, songs or stories. Freelance writing is something I picked up doing during the pandemic. I've been able to look at myself as a person and really ask, "who am I" and "Why am I here." I've been able to map out some career moves I need to make in order to sell my music, and until I am able to play concerts again, I will practice everyday and write. Write, write, write.