Life is strange right now, isn’t it? A few short months ago I pictured a very different beginning to April. I was supposed to be in Mexico right now. What did YOU expect to be doing? And what do we do now? Where do we go from here?
There is a “We’re in this together” movement, which makes sense. If Covid19 has done anything positive, it has been to unite the world for the health of all. Everyone is doing, and must do what they can as an individual or a family to limit the spread of this disease.
For some, that is staying home. Whether you are sick, healing, self-isolating, or just unable to work because they closed your employment – home is where you need to be.
For some that is working, perhaps more than usual, or in a different capacity than usual. I am a nurse. Just now I am home (on vacation – Mexico, remember?). But very soon, when I return to work, I could be redeployed to pretty much any nursing position, as needed. Many of my colleagues have been working in the assessment centres collecting samples, I know others who work in hospitals. This is a challenging time for health care workers, for first responders, and even for those who work in the grocery stores. Life is different now. My wish is for this health crisis to be finished sooner than later, with minimal loss of life and health; and also minimal negative impact on the economy. I will do my part, just as you are doing yours.
For the Home-Bound
But I want to explore a bit more about staying home. What have you been doing? I have been working on a number of projects. I have been outside almost every day, either walking or running (while maintaining distancing). This week I donated blood. Today was a lovely day for a winter run, nice and sunny, though cool.
I know it is important to rest, take care of your health, stay connected with friends and family in whatever way you can. If you are home with young children, treasure this time, play with them, read stories, talk. They may just remember this time fondly, as a time when Mom and Dad made family a priority. How wonderful!
What else? Do you have projects that you have been putting off? Now is a great time to dust them off. I am sorting some old photos. Some people are doing their spring cleaning (not my favourite thing, but I should maybe try it). I know that tax time has been deferred, but why not work on that anyway. Especially if you are getting a refund – why wait? And a little advert here, if you aren’t getting a tax refund, you need to read my Tax Savings Report!
Or you could learn a new language. I have been using Duolingo (an app on my phone) to learn Spanish, but you can also use it to learn High Valerian or Klingon!
And what a great time to learn something new! I have been working with a friend to help me with this website, and I have learned SO MUCH! Now that I have it fixed up, maybe I will write more blogs. Please sign up for my newsletter and I will keep you up to date (see to the right).
I have also been taking an online course, and have really been enjoying it. Is there something you would like to learn? I am not saying you have to be productive all the time, but wouldn’t it be better to have accomplished something during this time?
How is Your Job?
It doesn’t take much imagination to see that the economic implications of this time could be as devastating (or even more so) than the health outcome. Is there something you can do about it? Part of my online course is a study of the book “Think and Grow Rich” written in 1937 by Napoleon Hill. Yesterday I was reading the part about Specialized Knowledge, and I noticed a parallel with our current time.
The changed economic conditions prevailing since the depression have made it necessary for thousands of people to find additional, or new sources of income. For the majority of these, the solution to their problem may be found only by acquiring specialized knowledge. Many will be forced to change their occupations entirely. Napoleon Hill
Interesting, right? He didn’t point this out to be negative. On the contrary, he was encouraging people to take inventory of their own skills and knowledge, see what they could learn to build themselves a better future.
I know things may look bleak for some people right now. But people are resilient, there will be good things that come from this time. There will be medical and scientific breakthroughs, there may be new industries or services that come about.
There perhaps has never been a better time to have a business from home! That’s my “plan B” for a better future. In an industry that is inflation-proof and recession-proof. And if you want to explore that, please CONTACT ME!
Another book study I am following is “The Greatest Salesman in the World” by Og Mandino (I love the classic self-improvement books). Right now, the chapter I am reading is so appropriate, and in two parts. First:
Four words I train myself to say until they become a habit so strong that immediately they appear in my mind whenever good humour threatens to depart from me. These words, passed down from the ancients, carry me through every adversity and maintain my life in balance. These four words are: This too shall pass. Og Mandino
The other part:
I laugh at the world. And with laughter all things are reduced to their proper size. I laugh at my failures and they vanish in clouds of new dreams. Og Mandino
I am not saying we should downplay the seriousness of Covid19, but I can see many examples of people finding humour and sharing it. I for one would rather laugh than cry. Have you seen the late-night talk show hosts doing their “mini-logues” from home, and their families participating? Have you seen the many re-written songs? (I like Chris Mann) Have you seen pictures of cats wearing surgical masks, cartoons of social distancing, jokes about handwashing?
We are human, we laugh. We are resilient, we improve. This too shall pass!
Please contact me if you would like to chat about your “Plan B” or about tax savings, or about how to learn a language or sew your own (non-medical grade) surgical mask. And here is my latest doodle, my version of our new world (please note, all these people are at least 2 meters apart).