My grandmother Pullen used to say, “You’d better climb down off that high horse you’ve been riding! With all we’ve been experiencing these past several months, I thought, “We’ve been knocked right off our horse!” It was a tall one too! So many words came to mind to describe our dilemma, but none came together until now. Let’s just say we were certainly blindsided!
No one could have predicted a pandemic in 2020. We all were at a loss as to how to handle it when it did hit. We have done our best, but some have their own perception of what “best” is supposed to be. Americans are so used to our freedom of speech, our freedom and rights in all areas, we are totally lost when we have new rules to abide and feel panic when the loss gets deeper and wider.
The decision I made was to follow any rules and suggestions given to us by those authorities who know much more than I, for my benefit and those around me. Whom would it hurt? It seemed more would benefit than not. Without leadership in the health field, we would be fish floundering on the shore.
Throughout my life, I’ve been taught that somehow there is always some good that comes out of every bad experience. You have to be open to seeing and receiving it. I am thankful for those lessons. Life holds many parts of the good, the bad and the ugly. Sometimes we have to search for the good.
During this pandemic, quarantine, rioting and protesting, what lessons have you come to realize? I’ve come to face my mortality. All of us know we don’t live forever, yet we do not keep that fact up front in our daily thoughts. Then, something comes along to make us understand we are not here for eternity and we’d best take a look at how we have made our lives useful for this earth and others around us. It is important that we live our best lives, not only for ourselves, but for those around us. Remember, we are in this together, whether you like it or not!
Maybe this experience has brought your family and friends closer, if not in person, in thought
and caring for each other. Seeing others suffering as you do brings empathy and love for others.We need to try to do our utmost to make life easier and more pleasant for ALL. Learn to treasure those friends and family in your lives and please realize, they will not always be there. Let us make our stay on earth a learning, loving, giving experience.
In learning to write, a writer is taught to “show, don’t tell.” Living a good life is setting an example for others, hopefully a good one! Most do not like to be told what to do or how their lives should be lived. You do know they won’t listen to being told anyway, don’t you?
I will leave you on this pandemic day with my thought to “saddle up, get back on that horse and ride!” May health and happiness come your way!
