Thoughts from a Racing Mind

I’ve noticed that friends and colleagues have begun offering their own reflections through social media. I’m delighted to see this trend emerge as others realize the therapeutic power of sharing hopes, fears and daily challenges (how did tp become the meme of the month?). I’m sort of beyond normal reflections these days, for obvious reasons, as my thoughts flit from moment to moment as news, tragedies, and blips of hopeful signs get thrown at us. I understand that some people cope by avoiding all news, others can’t tear their eyes and ears away from the waves of repetitive and redundant (and, often conflicting) information. I’m somewhere in the middle, with an occasional need to shut it down completely for a bit. So, here are my thoughts from a racing mind;

1. Updates: Finished chapter two of my book...persisting with my 1000 words of writing per session with three sessions at minimum per week. Heading to a mid-summer finish. Haven’t even thought about a publisher yet; Getting about an hour a day in on piano self-instruction. Up to 11 chords and use of both hands (as well as any 4 year old); Golf game is blah...but I appreciate the privilege of getting out to play; Judy and I have been very disciplined about food...no junk food in the house, eating two meals per day with a mid day healthy snack. We’re mostly cooking at home with a very occasional take out meal to support our local restaurants. Added an air fryer attachment to our Instant Pot and enjoyed awesome cauliflower buffalo wings yesterday; Tomatoes and peppers are planted in our vegetable garden with more tomatoes, cucumbers and herbs due to arrive next week. Deer have been spotted in the yard but the new deer fencing has held!

2. At breakfast this morning (oatmeal), Judy and I wondered why the Feds aren’t spending another trillion or two on infrastructure upgrades. With unemployment exploding, weather warming, and bridges and roads collapsing, what better time to offer outdoor (mostly safe) jobs to millions of people to address our horribly degrading infrastructure? Wouldn’t this be a great time to expand our rail systems with high speed trains? Construction costs will never be cheaper and the need for jobs is critical.

3. I’m so wishing I could say something poignant and thoughtful about religion at this time. I don’t know how to discuss the issue without offending some and inspiring others. As a Jewish atheist myself (yes...it’s a thing), I appreciate the communal aspect of faith without the need for an invisible god to guide me. But, I absolutely respect and appreciate that for others belief in a guiding hand/light/entity is critical to their identity. That’s cool. What’s not cool are idiots like Jerry Falwell and those so-called ‘ministers’ who blatantly disregard public health and science experts by continuing to convene their congregants. Religious zealots and extremists of all flavors and faiths cause extraordinary harm.

4. I must admit that I’m not missing sports all that much. I wouldn’t mind a re-set of the sporting world when the Corona dust settles with far less money in the model, restoration of amateurism to collegiate athletics and disassociation with the alcohol industry. I suspect that E-Sports will be the dominant beneficiary of the changing times.

5. Many people are offering thoughts about the future of education. Will e-learning get a more substantial foothold? Will 10-20% of all colleges close? Will workforce development be a more focused aspect of higher education? I’m doing some work with a terrific telehealth company (TimelyMD) and do believe that telemedicine is here to stay.

6. Thinking of the next month and the likelihood that things will get worse before it gets better. I’m hoping that sanity prevails and that avery one will hunker down and avoid contact with others. Starting today, we’re likely to start wearing masks on the rare occasion that we go out for groceries or meds.

7. We miss hugging the kids and grandkids. Facetime just doesn’t do it.

I’m searching for an inspirational closing paragraph. The only people I can think about are the health care providers, first responders, police and firefighters, and our farmers, grocery workers, pharmacists, and everyone who’s keeping us fed, lit, cooled, entertained and healthy. Heroes, everyone.