The Gift of Social Distancing

During this time of pandemic social distancing it would be easy and understandable to feel helpless and paralyzed within our home safe space. But now is a time for action and finding the gift of social distancing. Yes I said gift, this is by no means an effort to discount the very real dangers of COVID19 or diminish the affect it is having on those that have contracted it. But many who have not contracted the disease are suffering greatly in their daily lives from this virus. With the direction to shelter in place it is easy to shut down and do nothing, however we must remember that time is finite and doesn't stop for anyone or anything. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow approaches quickly, we must all seize the moment and take steps to be ready when this storm passes and it will indeed pass, but make no mistake things will be changed.

There will be changes in the world with how we view sanitation, health care, illness, and even physical contact, all will be affected. New businesses and practices will and have already began to emerge as a result of this crisis. The way we conduct our lives and jobs will be impacted when we return to them, we must also be changed and ready for the new day. Many of us cannot go to work or anywhere else that is not considered essential, so we shelter in place to do our part. Those seeking employment currently, may be able to find a job with on line retailers or grocery stores or even fast food restaurants that are adjusting to the current reality. But for many that are at home awaiting some sense of normalcy to return here is something to think about. Remember all of those times you told yourself: "if I was not tied up at work or did not have somewhere else I had to be I would _______". Here is where the gift of social distancing lies. Now is the opportunity to fill in that blank space and take action. Perhaps you want to; exercise more (you don't need a gym for this one), enhance or educate yourself, learn new or better job skills, seek a new career, read that self help book, practice a new language, build those new relationships, or spend quality time with loved ones and build those family bonds, build a better you. These are the things we told ourselves we did not have time or opportunity for when we had work and other places to be. Now we can turn this negative into a positive and take the social distancing gift! Let's get our house and life in order so that when the world starts to return to the new normal we are prepared, relevant, and ready.

Time does not stop and neither can we, so we must wisely utilize our time to take care of our fill in the blank items. When the pandemic passes and the shelter in place orders are lifted we will very quickly fill our days with numerous obligations and places to be once more. One of the worst side affects of this pandemic, if we allow it, could be the epic amount of wasted time that we can never get back. I wish you all health, safety and happiness.