“We have to decide whether we’re going to manage life or live it.”
Terry Hershey
Life seems pretty unmanageable right now, doesn’t it? The truth is, life has always been unmanageable, and much of our strife and suffering is simply a result of trying to push the river. Most events are out of our control, but our responses can make all the difference.
We hear a lot about “getting back to normal.” That’s an unlikely prospect. Not because this current crisis won’t eventually pass, but because anyone who has experienced it will never be the same. Those who try to manage the quarantine, and all the parameters that have been put in place by resisting, worrying, complaining, and protesting will carry the weight of those efforts from this time on, and become, if they aren’t already, pessimists and worriers. The better choice about living in this time of change and upheaval is to maintain a routine. Don’t sit around in sweats, binge watching mindless programming, or worse yet, the bad news. Don’t fill up on carbs and junk food. Cook regular meals and go out for some exercise, even if it’s just walking around the yard. Fix your hair, shave, or put on some makeup. We feel better when we look better, even if we are only going to the mailbox.
Make a gratitude list every day. Call someone you haven’t seen in a while. Start a project, a new hobby, or just do some spring cleaning.
On Saturday, I grabbed a rake and cleaned the yard. Hung sheets on the line, and dug leaves out of flowerbeds to uncover tender green hollyhock shoots reaching up to the sun. The smell of grass greening and damp dirt reminded me that some things never change; these are chores I do every spring, and always enjoy.
Bruce has repaired two large wind chimes that our Nebraska breezes had destroyed. Their gentle music complemented songs of redwing blackbirds and meadow larks that accompanied my labors. A woodpecker was determined to make a hole in the box elder tree. Not all that different from a spring day in past years. Here and now, we are okay, and tomorrow will be what it is, but not to rejoice in this day would be a waste of my life.
One of my sons is into body art. A tattoo on his arm is of a glass full to a certain level. He likes to ask people whether the glass is half full or half empty. Says he can tell what kind of personality they are by the reply. So, is your glass half full or half empty today? Either way, fill it on up with positive thoughts and the joy of life granted to you for one more day.
What are you learning right now? When I grew up, way down in the hills, our lives weren’t much different than now. We didn’t go much of anywhere or see neighbors very often. We did our work, read the papers and listened to the radio to see what was going on with the war news, and made do with what we had, which wasn’t much, but it was all we really needed. If we ran out of something, we just rearranged the plan until the next trip to town for necessities. That’s likely why I have never been a shopper or seeker of excitement. My parents experienced the Depression. They never got over it, nor have I. This time of upheaval will shape our attitudes from here on, and that may be a good thing. We’re all being home schooled. Learn your lessons.