During this chaotic time of quarantining and social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, day to day adjustments have to be made out of necessity to ensure our safety. Everyday life as we know it has slowed significantly for most and halted altogether for others. School assignments are either emailed or conducted via zoom conferences, and those who are able to are teleworking from their homes.
As we continue to adapt and adjust to our new norm, I’m sure most of us can’t help but wonder if life as we knew it is gone forever. Life today quickly reminds us about all of the simple freedoms taken for granted. Restaurants are closed or doing take-out only, movie theaters are closed, and all sports and concert events have been postponed or cancelled. Even churches now find themselves adapting their services to live-streaming either through their website or various social media platforms. Public transportation and ride share services have either slowed to a crawl or completely shut down altogether.
For those of us optimists, we can take advantage of all of this time to slow ourselves down and bond closer with our family and friends. Instead of focusing on the negativity or feeling sorry for ourselves, we can choose to reflect and focus on everything we’re grateful for. Use this time to see this positive in everything and in every moment. Use this time to see how you can be of service to others.
Do you know any elderly people who need groceries, water, medicine, cleaning supplies, etc.? We only get through tough times when we band together with the right attitude. Remember, storms come, but they never last forever. The sun will shine again. And lastly, what we do to others, we do to ourselves, and what we do for others, we do for ourselves! Stay strong and positive!
Charles R. Butts Jr. 