It has now been a year since the beginning of the pandemic, and we all wonder when we will get back to “normal.” But what does “normal” look like after the pandemic, none of us really know. For many the hope is we can get to a place that feels stable, familiar and safe. One thing that we have all learned during this pandemic is that we cannot predict the future and that lockdown has forced us all to live in the “present moment.”
Trying to re-create our lives as it was before COVID would be as if we turned off the lights in our living room and we are walking around trying to find the coffee table, the remote control, and the lamp. Yes, we would find these things, but it would be based solely on our memory, memories from the past. That is what expecting the “normal” is based on, memories of the past.
This week, rather than missing the experience (because that is really what we are longing for) of your past and expecting the same past life, take each moment, each day as it presents itself and ask yourself “what can I do today to create joy, happiness and peace in my life. Where do I want to put my energy and my focus on in this moment.” Then take those actions and remember that what you think, say and do today will create your tomorrow. Instead of seeing this as a challenging time, see it as an opportunity to think outside the box. As the saying goes, “when given lemons make lemonade.” Since we have been forced to be in the present moment, let us be in the present moment.
"In life, one has a choice to take one of two paths: to wait for some special day-
or to celebrate each special day." Rasheed Ogunlaru
This week when you find yourself saying, “I can’t wait to get back to normal”, ask yourself what that really means to you. What is it that you are really missing, what experience is it that you miss. Is there someway to create those experiences within the parameters you are living in. It is a perfect time to challenge yourself to explore other means of bringing contentment and joy in your life.
