“Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans.”
North Carolina Museum of Art. "The Thinker" by Rodin
I suspect at the beginning of this New Year, few of us had predicted a pandemic would quickly take control over the tapestry of our lives, and alter thoughts and day to day routines!
On January 1st, I had mapped out things I had planned focus on in 2020 - Things I hoped to accomplish. There were minor health issues I had been neglecting. One being eye surgery to improve vision in my left eye, and dental procedures! By the end of February, I had taken care of both, and I had painted one of my bedrooms. Closets had been cleaned out, and a mountain of items had been donated.
Lurking in the background of those early weeks, folks began understanding a pandemic storm was picking up steam and headed our way. In mid-March, California and much of the country, was thrust into lock-down. I suspected we would be in this state only a few weeks. I was wrong!
In spite of alteration to many 2020 plans, I have also seen it as opportunity to reassess life in general, and the more important things! There have been little blessings come my way! For example, for the past 14 years, one of my regular activities has been swimming several times a week at a local health club. When the health club shuttered because of Covid-19, I was at a bit of a loss! However, I dusted off my bicycle, and spent more time riding along the American River Parkway, with pleasant views and landscape. Then a few weeks ago, a family member’s swimming pool warmed up. They leave the side gate open for me every afternoon at 4:30 pm, and I go there to swim. It’s closer to my home than my health club is. So, things are working out!
I’ve also had extra time to spend in my garden. My tomatoes and squash have begun ripening, and have become ready for picking this past week.
There's been more time spent exploring the dozens of cookbooks on my pantry shelf. I have promised my family a feast when the pandemic is over!
Opportunities for personal growth continue on in spite of this virus. For example, how many of you on January 1st, knew what a Zoom meeting was? I began learning about Zoom a few weeks ago. And, then, fellow ActiveRainer, Margaret Rome gave me a call and encouraged me to join Tuesday ActiveRain Zoom meetings! Margaret’s call prompted me to purchase a webcam and join in! For the first time, I’m hearing voices, rather than only reading the words of fellow bloggers. I have learned blogger friend, Barbara Todaro of Massachusetts, “Paks da cahs,” rather than parks the cars! How fun!
I predict one the more valuable things many will have learned from this pandemic, is straight from the lyrics of the Beatles’ tune, “Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans.” While isolation has hit some of us harder than others, we have learned to value more, our loving relationships. We’ve seen it as an opportunity to look around and ask, what can we do with extra time which has been illusive in the past? I know I have, and the answers have become treasure!
*ActiveRain Zoom Meeting - June 16th 2020
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