Social Distancing - Opportunity to deep dive within self

With the new virus in play, which spreads primarily through contact with an infected person when they cough or sneeze, or when person touches a surface or object that has the virus on it, it is but natural for governments and organizations to move towards embracing social distancing to minimize the spread. Millions of Americans are suddenly working from home, not just Americans but throughout the world this seems to be the case. And this is not for a day, a week or a month, at this time its an unknown territory to time-box this pandemic.

Staying at home results in homes turning into a home office, a school, a daycare, a playground all at the same time. So people have to adjust to the new normal, which in itself is not normal. The prime news all over is all about the virus, even the presidential debates are circling around addressing this crises, and candidates are not shaking hands to set an example. The malls and the streets are all empty, restraints, gyms all public places are closing. 

Use this time not as being confined, but as a perfect time to spend that extra hour, which you would otherwise use to commute, now spend connecting with your family, get to know your kids better and let them get to know you. 

At this time it is more important than ever to maintain ones sanity, to be able to see the water in the glass rather than the empty half, to have a positive mindset to overcome this just as another hurdle until normalcy prevails again. You need to utilize this social distancing to come closer to yourself. Use this as a forced opportunity to tap your inner strengths. Take some time off the daily schedule to practice mental discipline. Make a daily routine weather you want to meditate, play an instrument or just remain quiet, once you set your mind into it you will find the correct direction which your body wants to listen. Mind is a wanderer, unless we are asleep we will always be ever thinking... and sometimes in the sleep too. By going slow and practicing mental discipline, we can try to be present at the present moment, we can create our own perception of time allowing the mind to wander but at the same time provide due attention to the required tasks, so that they are done faster and more efficiently, providing more value to the outcome.   

I have to acknowledge, there is also a silver lining to this whole state of pandemic. We have pushed technology harder that we thought it could endure. Schools are pushing distance learning to their best capabilities, holding video conferences, submission of daily school work online. Offices are making sure the infrastructure can handle the sudden increase of all the remote work. People are developing mature work ethics, utilizing new tools to communicate and collaborate. It reminds me of a very nice quote from 'Born To Run - by Christopher McDougall' - Beyond the very extreme of fatigue and distress, we may find amounts of ease and power we never dreamed ourselves to own; sources of strength never taxed at all because we never push through the obstruction. 

Stay Healthy, Stay Positive and Stay Safe... God Bless!