6 Certainties for this Uncertain Time

It's been several weeks since Covid 19 brought our lives to a screeching halt. What seemed like a distant threat in the headlines from overseas became an immediate and legitimate danger in our own communities in a matter of weeks. Every day since has brought new doubt. From event cancellations to school closures, indefinite employment furloughs to an overextended health care system; it is difficult to find hope in the horizon of these uncertain times.

Yet, with so many unanswered questions, widespread wariness and social isolation, one can still find assurance in the most unexpected places. While none of us are sure what tomorrow will bring (most likely a fresh set of pajamas and a new Netflix binge), I am certain these six things from Pre-Pandemic times will continue to be essential in our lives in possibly new and reimagined ways:

1. Wellness

This health crisis has made us all evaluate our own state of physical and mental wellness in a new light. Our bodies are our first line of defense from any illness- are we equipping ourselves with the tools needed to keep us safe and healthy? Who cares if you can lift heavy or have extreme muscle definition; is your respiratory and circulatory systems running in top form? Are you supplying your body with the right nutrients to strengthen your immune system? It is my hope that people put less emphasis on physique and aesthetics in the fitness industry, and prioritize their health moving forward.

2. Social Networks

We all were shocked when organizers began to cancel large public gatherings and events like the NCAA Basketball Tournament and holiday festivities in early March. Is it really that serious? Of course we soon realized that yes, it most definitely is. Soon #socialdistancing became the new norm. Restaurants have closed their dining rooms, bars and night clubs are shut down, and many employees are working from home in an effort to #Slowthespread. Only deemed "essential" businesses are open, and many of the places where we get normal social interaction have been closed. We are of course, social beings. So how have we coped with our current reality? The internet. Without it, the adaptation from physical social interaction to social isolation would have been almost impossible in our state of technological reliance. Can you imagine a pandemic without social media, or being able to facetime your loved ones? In fact, Verizon has reported the phonecall has made a comeback, with more phonecall volume being recorded every day during these past few weeks than on the average busiest day of the year, Mother's Day.

We crave constant connection, and have become pretty creative in finding ways to continue our routines and keep in touch. Zoom Happy Hours, Virtual Workouts, Live Living Room parties, etc. have become a part of our reality. We embrace the ability to link with people who share our values. Clubs and bars may reopen, but social networking will never be the same as we seek to enrich our experiences, not our images.

3. Innovation

Whether as a creative outlet, or out of economic necessity, we have become increasingly innovative in our response to the challenges Covid 19 has brought our way. Craft aisles and home improvement stores sit nearly empty as people start "shelfed" projects from their to do lists, or channel anxious energy into artistic expression. Business owners have adapted to meet unprecedented issues in an attempt to keep doors open. Employers have created new systems to enable employees to work from home. People are using the internet to share their expertise or knowledge with other's who share their interest in online classes and virtual forums on social media apps. With so many reasons to doubt the future, our ability to adapt to the find solutions to the problems of today gives me hope that we will rally no matter what comes our way.

4. Teacher Appreciation

Teachers, like so many other professions, have had to adapt to doing business virtually with little to no notice. A group already known for their resilience, dedication, and innovation in the classroom has had to find news ways to reach their students with "distance learning". The memes on social media about every aspect of E-Learning are so very entertaining (especially to a former educator) but the issue is very real. Teachers are warriors for our kids. They are still fighting just as hard for their students from their couches as they have been from their spot on the reading carpet. They will continue to go the distance for their kids, even if they can't leave their homes. It is something they can't just turn off. One positive aspect that may result from this time of distance learning, is that parents become allies with teachers and work with them to provide the best learning opportunities for students. While this is a thing already (usually a week in May), it is my hope Teacher Appreciation extends beyond a designated week on the school calendar.

5. Essentials

We now have a value system based on "essentials". Which begs the questions, how did we structure our value system before? This may be a question that requires an individual answer, but collectively, I think we can all say that we never thought there would be a day when we would need to consider our toilet paper supply. With the entire world closing in, we flocked to the stores to stock up on toilet paper before we even moved into a "shelter in place" situation. Why? Because possession of this one item gives us a sense of security that we will be able to fulfill at least of our our everyday functions with relative normalcy.

We've been placing too much value on unessentials for far too long. Not just in the consumerism sense, but in the way we evaluate people and their contribution to our economy. While their are some professions that deserve their pay grade, many of our working men and women are undervalued because of the types of jobs they do. Many of us are working from home, but there are so many "essential" workers that must get up and go face the threat of contagion in order to keep our lives running with as little disruption as possible. It is my sincere hope that once the threat has lifted, we remember it wasn't the entertainers and high paid executives that keep the country going, but the truck drivers, custodians, and grocery store clerks that ensured we all have what we really need.

And to our Health Care Heroes, what can we really say besides THANK YOU. Your sacrifice will never go unappreciated!

6. Faith

Faith is our foundation. Without it we are truly nothing. It is what grounds us, and holds us to our truth. For myself, my faith is founded in Christianity, and it has been so amazing to see The Church reach out into so many homes across the world via live streams and broadcasts. The church doors might be closed, but our hearts our still open to The Healer.

What is something that gives you hope, or that you hope to see make it to the other side of this global pandemic? It is my prayer that you take this time to assess the things in your life you deem essential, and find new confidence and comfort during these unsettling times.

XO,

Hattie