Talking to people lately, I’ve discovered many are feeling disoriented and a couple of months behind. I wrote my last blog in April. Where has the time gone? There is so much going on in the world and changing quickly; it is a lot to digest.
I’ve lived the ups and downs and the emotional roller coaster of this pandemic right along with you. Summer offered some reprieve, but many people hit another wall in mid-August when the weather started to shift. Yes, colder weather is on the way, and we are in the middle of something big and the endpoint is not in sight.
This September doesn’t feel normal. Typically, this month has a cozy, orange and gold-hued back to school vibe. September is my fresh start and new notebooks month on my calendar. I welcome sweater weather and the feel of September sun and a cool, crisp breeze.
But this September, I’m thinking ahead to the Spring. As we hunker down into the fall, there’s no way around the inevitability of more quarantine until there is a vaccine. Thinking ahead to Spring 2021 reminds me this difficult time is temporary.
I am abstaining from indulging in the rabbit hole of “what coulda, shoulda been this year”. I’m past grieving cancelled travel plans and unguarded, mask free social interactions. I may not like it, but I’m getting used to it. I choose to accept reality as it is unfolding and surrender what I can’t change.
Lowered expectations and taking a longer view seem to help get over the bumps. I can’t deny there are silver linings to this time; however, they don’t negate the struggles. Sometimes your world needs to shrink to zero in on what is essential and stay sane.
And constantly checking to make sure expectations of yourself and others match this unprecedented time. People are stressed out, isolated, and have a lot to figure out. We all deserve extra kindness, compassion and the benefit of the doubt.
We are in the middle of a collective lesson about the illusion of control. I’m making peace with this strange time by staying spiritually connected, close to my people and living one day at a time.
Easy to say, but not always easy to do – there are so many distractions. But it is my job to stay in my lane and mind my business. Every day I set my intentions to change what I can, and follow through on what’s in my reach.
Today I intend to live only in this day. I will be present for what is beautiful about life – I don’t want to miss it. I’ll take the time to enjoy the sight of green leaves still filling the trees and not rush the season.
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