Testing
I must say, hell hath no fury like 2020 right about now! I think we all were ready and set to go out there and throw down with ideas, brands, books and all manner of grand ambitions and 2020 said, “Hold my beer, wine, lion and tiger. I’m about to show you all some things.”
Well, I’m confident that most of us are listening. And if the threat of WW3 at the end of 2019, the swarm of locusts in the horn of Africa and this global pandemic doesn’t get anyone’s attention, rumor has it there’s an asteroid trying to invite itself into our orbit at the end of April and a lovely, hair-raising swarm of cicadas is scheduled to emerge from the earth like a scene from “Thriller,” this year and next. So put on your life jacket, seat belts and helmets because this year is about to be big. We all didn’t realize that when we said big things are poppin’ this year, it was going to be 2020 and not just us!
The above GIPH is looking more like 2020.
But, despite the dire predictions and circumstances, I do sense that there is a sliver of hope that we can glean from all of this. I’ve come to look for a few silver linings in the midst of the murk and mire.
The earth seems to be resetting and detoxing, nature and animals appear to be getting a break from human interference, and for those of us who must shelter in place (which is all of us non-essential employees), this could mean more family game nights if you have children, or more attention to those side hustles and ideas that we’ve been putting off until “the right time.” Perhaps this is “the right time,” for some of the soul searching, project completion, decluttering and resting that most of us talk about but never “have enough time,” to take care of. Perhaps this is the time to pick up the phone and call (not just text or message) the family, even video chat. I’m still cleaning my house and unpacking stuff and doing my best to avoid the news and being tethered to my phone. I get that I”m talking from a place of privilege. I am married, my husband is working and I’m at home on US soil near family, while a number of my friends are in Spain and Italy, trying to navigate a pandemic under a totally different government and culture.
I’m not in a high risk environment and I have been able to meditate on the Word of God and Truths that sustain me when winds and waves try to capsize my peace. So I speak from a place acknowledging that perspective and physical positioning can and will influence how we navigate this.
That said, I’m grateful that as devastating as this is, we’re dealing with it together. And hopefully, when this is all said and done, we’ll have emerged with a greater sense of appreciation for our teachers, medical community, grocers, delivery personnel, restaurant staff, janitors and the parents who stay at home with the children. We’ll ideally have a greater appreciation for our coworkers and employment if we’re still employed. We’ll be thankful for our families, neighbors and our own precious lives as well as all the comedians, therapists and spiritual advisors who tried to keep us sane while they themselves were trying to figure things out day by day and sometimes hour by hour.
Now, I get this sounds like rainbow farts and glitter rain and if we’re really being real, it’s nerve wracking. But I’m doing my best to focus on the positive and fuel up on as much good as I can possibly stock up on before I tank out. Not trying to lose my cool or play the violin as the titanic sinks. I’m simply trying to rally any measure of peace and buoyancy I can to encourage us to stay afloat.