As a result of the worldwide pandemic the world has been in great flux, confusion and uncertainty for several months and will likely remain that way indefinitely. Weddings were forced to celebrate virtually; graduation ceremonies were canceled altogether and so forth. Funerals became even more devastating than usual due to the impact of social distancing and not being able to have the comfort of loved ones nearby while grieving. Small businesses are still struggling and doing everything they can to stay afloat and depression, alcoholism, domestic violence, unemployment, and hunger are rampant.
But during that time, we have truly experienced and been witness to immense kindness, compassion and unity. We have seen that lives were touched. Social distancing surprisingly brought us closer. If we look around, we notice people reaching out. Video chats are commonplace. Phone calls are being made more often, and cards are being sent through the mail. Neighbors are making masks and sanitizers, delivering food and essentials to others.
Life will always provide challenges, but I find that our viewpoint and perspective can keep us from feeling defeated. But the truth is, there IS help. There is hope. There is love amidst the distress. People are reaching out; businesses are extending assistance wherever possible. It seems we really missed the human connection.
So as summer approaches us and we embrace our outings and our families and friends, as we hopefully ease our way into a new daily routine, it is my hope that we continue in the mindset of all of it to remain considerate, responsible and safe. That we spread kindness more than germs, that we remember to pick up the phone and call rather than hold a grudge. May we reach out more often than we used to and appreciate our face to face meetings and encounters. May we recognize a frown as much as a smile and make every effort to offer a smile in return. More often may we pay it forward in deed and actions and pay it backward to the car behind us at the drive through window. May we utilize more of our time in watching sunsets and less in watching television. May we swallow our pride and ask for help when needed and embrace those who cry out.
May we truly grasp the value of a handshake, the gift of a hug, the gratitude of a smile. May we continue to extend appreciation to our nurses, medical and emergency professionals, and not lose sight of our newfound respect for our retail personnel, and commercial truckers. May we schedule time regularly to reach out to our family, remembering the blessing they are and not take for granted their presence in our lives. May we pay it forward in the drive-through, to our neighbors, teachers, service workers and throughout our communities. May the voices of churches sing outside of their four walls and shine in actions and deeds. May we not take for granted that a sink full of dirty dishes is evidence of a well-dressed table. And most importantly, may we not forget, like childbirth, the pain and anguish we have endured to reap this beautiful message.
May we accept the lessons and challenges of the situation and create our own new normal and pray without ceasing, love without judgment, and truly recognize the daily abundance of blessings that we may so easily have overlooked.
Let’s proclaim, starting this summer, that nothing should go back to normal. Normal didn’t work. If we go back to the way things were, then we have lost the lesson we should have learned. It’s time to rise up, do better, be the change we want to see in the world and be the rainbow in someone else’s cloud.
stay fabulous,
stay you,