The other day, my husband mentioned he hated how COVID-19 has hit the nation but also appreciates the momentary “pause” of the daily hustle many of us are experiencing. He’s hurt and angry with the uneasiness of the economy, but he does not miss our old lifestyle of ‘Hurry-Up! Why am I still waiting, when this should have been done yesterday?’
For the first time in over two years, my husband is back to walking in the morning before his conference calls.
We both work full-time, we have four children — two are adults, while two live at home and play sports. We are also blessed to have three sets of parents still healthy and active, yet starting to need help. So on any given day, pre-pandemic, mornings started at 5:30 a.m. and nights ended around 10:30 p.m. — or when I collapsed in the bed only to have my mind still running down my to-do lists. I’m like Ebeneezer from A Christmas Carolˆ—I fall asleep for two hours and wake-up to the Three Spirits of Lists: The Spirit of The Past To-Do List, The Spirit of The Present To-Do List, and my favorite, The Spirit of The Future To-Do List, which always appears to be a bridge too far.
All three dance around my head until I fall asleep for the second time each night.
My weekends were no better, they consisted of 4- to 10-hour road trips for youth sports. Yet in all of that craziness, it didn’t seem ridiculous or obsessive to me because all of my friends were going through the same routine with their families. Matter of fact, our discussions were like badges of honor as we swapped 19-hour day stories.
A few weekends ago, about 90 days into the COVID-19 pandemic, for the first time in a long time, I was talking to my mother and I didn’t have to tell her to hold on, or say, “I’ll call you right back.” Instead, I was able to sit down on the back porch, get comfortable, and just listen to her talk.
During this pandemic, I learned that the most important moment is the moment I am presently living. I’ve exhaled, relaxed, and truly listened to whoever I was speaking to. I believe this is what my husband was talking about — we’ve slowed down and are enjoying our daily moments.
I know these have been trying times and the future is not so clear, but I hope you’ve been able to stop, relax, and enjoy the present moment.
Stay Inspired,
Shonda
