Seven Things I Learned During the Pandemic

2020 quickly forced the new and unfamiliar on us. Experiences varied, from OK to awful. After a year in lock down here are my take-aways:

1. The tiniest things can trip us up. A virus 75X smaller than a human red blood cell brought our world to its knees.

2. It is a global world and what one does, affects us all. Viruses spread quickly but so do ideas, love, and the quest for justice.

3. My pre-covid “busyness” was in fact my insecure ego looking for justification. Letting go of busy has off loaded a self-imposed burden I am determined not to pick up again.

4. Zoom is a substitute for connecting, but a poor one. Hugs and human touch are required and beat hearing “You are on mute” one more time.

5. I was lying to myself that all those unfinished (or un-started) projects would happen when I “had more time”. I now know they are never going to get done, so time to move on.

6. Long solitary walks outdoors feed the soul, mind, and body. These are staying!

7. Books allow one to travel without leaving their home, to other places, other times, and other realities.