Picking it up

This is the weirdest season ever, seriously. I keep messing up the day of the week, often thinking it is the day before it actually is. To some degree, this is not a bad thing, especially when I think it’s a Thursday and it’s actually a Friday. But it’s also a sign of how so many of our days just run together without differentiation. It can be disconcerting. 

Maybe you’re feeling the same way, and if you are, please know that this new normal cannot last. Eventually we will get back to some semblance of how things were in our lives before the pandemic. However, I would like to suggest that maybe a few of the things we have experienced during this time, are things that we keep doing in the future. Perhaps you can think of some of the positives that have arisen. I, for one, am loving the intentionality of giving people more space. This is not to say that I don’t wish to greet people in a more natural way, such as with a hug, but there is a distinct difference in the consideration of others when we give them comfortable space, instead of crowding them for no other reason than you think it’s just the way it is. 

Perhaps this is the bigger lesson here, that we become more considerate of one another. Shouldn’t that be a desire for us regardless? Surely, but as busy as we are, who truly takes the time to be extra observant of those around them? I am sure that as you read this, you believe you are observant of others, and that you are considerate of the people in your sphere of influence. The important part to remember is that your sphere of influence is not about the people you like, but about every person you come into contact with on a daily basis. Read that again… EVERY PERSON you come into contact with on a daily basis.

If we are required to give people a little extra space during this time, then perhaps we can keep that up once things open back up a bit. This means in your driving, your shopping, your activities in any public space, and even your workplace. Does this really seem so far-fetched?

Roller Coaster

Over the years, I have gone through moments of what I would call great writing success. In those moments, I wrote a lot. There have also been times where I have written little, or none at all. I suppose this is probably no different than a lot of us, who go through the ups and downs of life, when there are moments of clarity, or great insight, or depression & sadness, or a litany of other emotions or reasons why our lives often resemble that of a roller coaster. Where are you right now, on this so-called ride?

Current world events notwithstanding, each of us must determine how to approach the realization of each up, down, twist, turn, or roll. Typically, as each of these moments approach, we can see, or sense, something is coming. At that point, we make choices. 

Picture yourself in that roller coaster car. Are you the one with your hands up, smiling, taking it all in, eyes wide open, thankful for the ride? Are you the one with your eyes closed, screaming, muscles tensed, bracing for every move? Are you about to pass out? About to throw up? About to cry?

To me, it seems like each circumstance determines its own reaction, which in turn has its own set of unique choices. You might be the one who is smiling right now, but you might also be very private about your joy, choosing to keep this moment to yourself. You could be very fearful about this next turn, which could lead you to either shrink into your own self-doubt, or it could lead you to spread that fear to others. Regardless, there are a lot of choices involved, and believe it or not, you have control over nearly every one of them.

In my own life, the past few years have had their fair share of tough times. But there have also been a few mountain top moments too. The choices I make today are often refined by the choices I have made at those low moments, perhaps when I have had time to reflect. Are you in one of those low moments right now? Have you taken the time to reflect on past decisions and future outcomes? Are there regrets? Does sorrow outweigh your joy?

Every roller coaster seems to start with a climb and then a great fall. But throughout the ride there are plenty of other low moments that always seem to be followed by high ones, all ending with a bit of a gentle roll into the station. The low spot you find yourself in is invariably to be short-lived. Another high point is coming. And to get there, you may have to climb out. Slowly. Take heart. You’ll get there.