The Lessons I Wasn't Expecting When I Wasn't Expecting a Pandemic

Were you expecting a pandemic. I certainly was not. Life was going along fine, relatively speaking. And then, all of a sudden it wasn't.
Over the past few weeks I've been thinking a lot and learning a lot. And when I need to process something, I often write it out. Usually it starts with a list. And this time is no different.
There are so many opinions and complaints and accusations and questions and ... well, there's another never-ending list. All of it is really too much for my brain to handle.

But these are some of the things I've found to be important lessons for me in the past few weeks - some humorous, some not. They are listed in no particular order.

• I cannot allow the chaos to overwhelm me. Yes, things are completely upside down and changing at lightning speed some days, but this season is only what I allow it to be. It will not be chaos for me.
• Other people matter. The changes, the distancing, the masks, the extra cleaning, the stay-at-home orders ... it's not all about me! It's to protect others as well.
• As much as I still feel like I will, I will not suffocate in my mask. Oy vey!
• Fresh air is a gift and I will claim it! Just because I have to stay at home, doesn't mean I have to stay inside.
• Always be prepared. I will continue to keep my running grocery list. I will not let it get too long. I will shop on a regular basis, in normal amounts, and I will not hoard, as tempting as that might be.
• Having stock in any internet or social media company would be a fabulous game plan right about now. Knowing what I actually do own stock in might also be something good to learn.
• Teachers STILL do not get paid enough and I am eternally grateful that my teen does not need my help or prompting with her school work.
• Healthcare workers are more than doctors and nurses - the list is endless and they are all immensely valuable.
• Essential workers should wear capes and carry magic wands. All of them.
• Farmers and food production workers and the logistical people to get all the things to all the places should additionally have crowns.
• As should anyone volunteering to do anything for anyone. And sparkles. They should have sparkles.
• My children should recognize who the essential workers are and tap into those fields.
• There are always rules. Whether I agree with them or not. "Give unto Caeser what is is Caeser's" applies to more than just taxes and I will do my best to follow the rules.
• And there will always be people that don't. But, as my friend, Helen, would have said: Not my circus; not my monkeys.
• I'm really glad Helen isn't here to live all of this.
• She would also tell me to keep looking for the magic.
• It doesn't matter how this virus arrived - to this country or to this community. Honestly, it just does not. It is here and that is that. I will not place blame. I will not expect anyone to fix it or prevent it. It will probably never really leave. I will pray for health and safety and deliverance from the inconveniences and deal with this as I deal with everything else: one step at a time.
• The news is not my friend. I will not be sucked in. In fact, I will resolve to continue to not indulge any more than necessary to function as a citizen.
• I'm glad I kept some of the "old school" amusements from entering the garage sale closet ... puzzles, the Wii, tabletop ping pong, Bananagrams ... we forget how good the good stuff can be sometimes.
• There will always be something to complain about and someone to do it. I will attempt not to be a complainer. Or an accuser. Or the one to judge. This is not what I was made for.
• There are people out there that are sick with various illnesses. Really sick. I thank God that it is not currently me or those I love.
• There are people that are out of work. I thank God that I am still working my two jobs.
• Distanced does not have to equal isolation. I can be creative. Meet in a parking lot. Say hello to my neighbor from the sidewalk. Drive to my brothers' house and wave from the car. Send a video. Mail a card. Host a Zoom call. Use the endless array of technology I have for something good - staying connected!
• I can visit multiple churches in one day!
• My youngest daughter is a pretty great quarantine partner. But she wins at all of the games.
• I really miss my other kids and my granddaughter. But I will leave my worries with God.
• Just because I'm not headed to the beach, doesn't mean that I can't paint my toenails and break out the sandals.
• Prepping for the day is a priority. I need to take the shower and get dressed and do my devotional and stay on my regular schedule wherever possible. Routine is my key to survival.
• As is flexibility. Oh my. I need to stay flexible.
• I have fabulous employers and co-workers and teammates and mentors. Fab.U.Lous.
• An old favorite quote I am using more: "This too shall pass."
• A new favorite quote that I hope to be using less: "I have never been so busy accomplishing so little."
• This slower social time is a great time to reflect on what is important to me.
• I really need to have 3 months of living expenses saved at all times.
• I hope I am teaching my children love and kindness and life skills - not fear or dread or ungratefulness.
• Spreading love is a whole lot more rewarding (and fun!) than spreading fear.
• I can be cautious without being in a panic or being anxious. Worry does nothing good for me.
• I can help people. Always. With nothing more than what I have.
• And there is so much creativity out there! That certainly wasn't cancelled! WOW! We have a pretty great world out there if I just open my eyes to see it!
• However, I need more music from the balconies. Thank you.
• Online core workouts aren't so bad when a friend is leading. Eventually I will get through one in it's entirety.
• People may think I'm crazy using my essential oils and DIYs, but that's OK. I was the same once. But I'm still not eating that natural peanut butter my mom sold in the health food store when I was a kid. A line must be drawn somewhere.
• Community is necessary. Connections are vital. Old and new.
• Gratitude is something I will never perfect and need to keep practicing. Daily. Hourly.
• There are people that are lonely. Even when they pretend not to be. I pray I can encourage even one.
• There are old friends that will always be with me ... even when they are not. And sometimes they will "show up" in surprising and mysterious and miraculous ways.
• My family is my lifeline ... I would be so empty without them.
• I also have great neighbors that take the time to be sure everything is OK.
• I am so thankful that I am not the one making the big decisions. May God bless those that are with His wisdom and compassion. And may He bless me with the ability to accept the decisions made.
• God has my back. Always and forever. No matter what I go through or what is going on around me, He is there with me, He will provide exactly what I need, and I will never be alone.

Now, the question is: how will these lessons change me for the better?

Just a Bench Warmer

To all of the bench warmers in the games of life ...

I know. I get it. Being a bench warmer is not fun. Not fun for the warmer to sit. Not fun for the parent to watch and feel and hear about. (Um ... proud parent of three varsity bench warmers right here, thank you!) And, I daresay, not even fun for the coach that can never make everyone happy no matter who they put out there.

We all want to be seen doing great things! But sometimes that is not the way it is. It just can't be. And, really, that is OK!! Because there are some excellent lessons we can learn from sitting on the sidelines.

So let me tell you what I see from where I sit behind you.

I see YOU.

I see you show up - for each practice, for each game.
I see you proudly wear the uniform.
I see you braid your teammates' hair.
I see you warm up with the entire team.
I see your skill and enthusiasm.
I see you hold each others' hands in unity.
I see you gather in the huddle.
I see you watching each play.
I see you carry the water bottles and pick up equipment.
I see you grab the shoulders of a team mate that is down on herself for the last play she made and make her look you in the eyes as you encourage her to get back out there and play it again.
I see the high fives and pats on the backs.
I see you cheer and yell and jump and clap and stomp your feet for those not sitting with you.
I see you experience the highs and lows of the game.
I see the respect you show to your teammates and your coach.
I see you persist.
I see you continue.

I see YOU.

Your day may or may not come on the court or the field, but you are learning much needed and sought-after life skills on that bench whether you realize it or not.

You are loved and needed by your teammates and your coach. You are all members of the same team. So you just get on out there, choose your seat, own that bench, and be fabulously spectacular doing it!

Because even if no one else does, your biggest fans see a magnificent YOU!