Life Lessons from COVID19

There is one thing about this terrible pandemic that has surprised me.  Isolation has taught me more about myself in one year than I learned in a decade or more. Looking at that objectively, it is not such a bad thing.  And it is something I needed to do, although I did not realize it.  What did I discover on this unplanned journey?

  • I am stronger than I thought. I am weaker than I want to be.
  • I have fewer real friends than I thought I had. I am not as good a friend as I thought I was.
  • I have more Faith than I thought I had. I am not as optimistic as I used to be.
  • I know more about some things than I thought I did. I know almost nothing about so many things.
  • I am less concerned about what others think of me. I am more concerned about holding fast to my values.
  • I laugh even when I am sad. I want to be able to laugh no matter how tough things get.
  • I have the capacity to love. I do not have enough love in my life.
  • I am keenly aware that my time on this Earth is growing shorter. I worry that I am not making the most of the time I have left.
  • I am a mass of contradictions, untested theories, likely scenarios and worst possible cases. I am, when I remember to take a breath and give myself a break — simply human.
  • I believe, on good days, there is still time to be better and do better.
  • I BELIEVE I CAN STILL BELIEVE.

A friend of mine reminded me of the famous dictum uttered by Socrates — “The unexamined life is not worth living.”   A memorable quote to be sure.    But is it enough to simply recognize those things?  I do not think so. Which brings me to the next part of the journey. Where do I go from here?

I have just been vaccinated and listen to the various experts discuss what this means in terms of resuming a “normal life.”  Such a ridiculous notion!  What is normal for one person is not necessarily normal for another. I am a Solo Ager.  I did not miss those things many people yearn for — the family get togethers or hugs from grandchildren. Health issues prevent me from resuming exciting travel and other activities I used to enjoy.

The real question is “how will I live now?”

Given the lessons COVID has taught me, will I do anything differently? Will I be a better friend? Make better use of my time? Seek out opportunities for personal growth?  Open my heart to the potential for love?  Or am I set in my ways? Afraid or unwilling to modify my behavior?

The only thing I can tell you now is, talk to me next year.

 

1 Comment

  1. For me, this pandemic makes me a better and stronger person. Not just for myself but most especially for my family. I lost my work last year and seeing my kids everyday makes me realize that the job I lost i =s not important. It is just a challenge I need to overcome.

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