May 17, 2020
There is an old saying: The only person who likes change is a wet baby. I say “for sure” to that. The Corona COVID-19 pandemic has brought monumental changes to all of us in our own way. Some of the changes are almost universally prescribed: 6-feet social distancing, self-monitoring for symptoms, shortages of necessities like toilet paper and Lysol disinfectant wipes, no haircuts or nail salon visits to name a few.
Yet, change can be exciting and exhilarating. Now, don’t get me wrong. I am not signing up for uninvited changes. Most of us, me included, like to have moderate control over our schedules, eating habits and offerings, salon visits, and taking Fido to the pet doctor. All of these things are important.
Change is sometimes thrust upon us. For some that has meant pay cuts, furloughs, new work hours, days and nights running together, social distancing, and taking one’s temperature twice a day. In fact, I have taken my temperature more in the last 6-weeks than I have my entire life.
Yet, change can bring good. I am enjoying, sometimes (emphasis sometimes), adjusting and accepting new ways of doing things. Here are some obvious changes:
My commute has less traffic and gas prices are down. Now, who would have predicted those things during a pandemic? Well, less traffic makes sense but gas price drops were unexpected. I will take that. In fact, I was groaning just yesterday about the price increasing to 1.57 a gallon.
I have also learned to enjoy watching and participating in my church’s online service. I never would have imagined that the online service would be or could be just as meaningful for me as compared to in-person, but I can say it is for me. That has been a big change and surprise for me.
I received the “tax rebate” that was delivered to tax payers who paid taxes in either 2018 or 2019. I certainly did not expect a 1200.00 check from the government but it happened and it helped. That was a change of pace, especially since April 15 tends to mean “pay up” in most years.
This pandemic has moved my heart and soul towards the larger global world. I think there is about 7.8 billion people in the world and most of us are dealing with some challenge of sorts from this novel Corona virus. The virus reinforces the idea that it is indiscriminate. Everyone is prone to get it and immunity against it has yet to be guaranteed or found. We are in this together, as the inhabitants of Mother Earth.
Finally, change can be good, exhilarating, scary, maddening, or even benign. Even so, we change every day. Some changes are minor most of the time. Yet, there are events, like COVID-19, where change breeds change. One good change can lead to another change that can lead to another change. It seems that some people who work at home are considering full time home-based employment. They have tried it and they do not want to go back to the work place. Working at home meets some needs that were getting unmet like more time with the kids and less time commuting. Some are saying that productivity is up for “stay at home” workers as compared to the regular “go to the workplace” set up.
Most importantly, these past six weeks have made it possible for me to make changes faster than normal. Some has been thrust upon me. That has been hard at times. Other changes have been good and welcoming once they have been tested and the new goals and new work methods have been used. So, how are you dealing with changes? I would guess that some have been unexpectedly good. If so, let’s ride those out while grieving the losses too. Let’s continue to let “good change” foster more “good change.” I don’t know where it all leads but I know that God is calling me to listen to God and listen to my own self and needs. The combination of God, me, and change seems to be bearing good fruit and that’s been novel and fun for the most part. I can only hope that your best version of you and me is yet to come given all these unexpected changes. Amen.
