Not losing hope…
I saw the sunrise this morning for the first time in ages. It has reminded me of the days I would see it every morning and start my day walking and appreciating the beauty of those early mornings. Even when things were at their darkest, a sunrise would give me the strength to get through another day.
Now as i sit here on my deck, seeing the colours of the sky painting, listening to the birds, the peaceful quietness before the world awakes, I wonder why it has been so long since I did this. I have always been a morning person. Always appreciated the fresh start to a new day. Today, despite the gloom and uncertainty of this pandemic, I am safe at home, the sun is shinning and the birds are singing. I have everything I need and have learned to be comfortable with my own company. I am in a better place than a lot of people and the beauty and peacefulness of my backyard is the perfect spot to rest and reflect.
It is so easy to let the cares of the world weigh you down. Sickness and death have always been a part of life, though we are much more aware of them right now. I am doing everything I can to stay safe – i rarely leave the house in normal circumstances so this forced isolation is close to life as normal for me.
Don’t get me wrong – I miss friends popping in for a coffee and chat. I miss being able to meet someone for lunch or a coffee at a favourite hangout or being able to find a cosy corner in a coffeeshop to read or do some writing. But the bottom line is I can still work, have virtual coffee dates, and I have everything I need. My freezer is full of food, work is busy and i have a beautiful environment in which to appreciate all i have.
At the beginning of the social distancing measures we are living under, i was advised to find 3 things a day to be grateful for. Those who know me well, know that is my default – to be grateful instead of whinging. Some days it’s harder than others, but I find that purposely being grateful for the little things every day, changes my outlook on everything.
Here are some of the things I am thankful for even at this time – I am safe, I am healthy, people are still finding ways to show they love me; we can still go shopping for the things we need, I still have a job; we have the technology to stay connected and so much more. There is always something we can be grateful for and that advice has made the difference on my attitude more than once.
My new norm has morphed into resting more; being more intentional about the things I do; enjoying the beauty of my surroundings – thankful I have a beautiful place to isolate in; watching the sunset from my deck; reading and spending way less time in front of a computer. I am listening to my whole CD collection – from A to Z and rediscovering music I haven’t heard in years. There’s an easy rhythm to my days now and I am thankful for the change and pray I can not lose it when this is all over.