This Season

I keep thinking about the season we are all in right now.

It’s hard.

There are people who will lose their job, their businesses, and even their lives.

There are people who are fighting this from the front lines.  That are giving an unparalleled heroic effort to battle this.  Who are working long hours, with little to no resources, and doing good to keep their heads above water.

There are people who are struggling with isolation, with anxiety, and fear.

Everyone is struggling.  It’s heart breaking.

I keep asking myself though….

“Who do I want to be when this is all over?”

To be able to do that–it’s perspective.

We had to figure out perspective pretty quickly in our family.  One of the hardest things we’ve had to walk through as a family was Callie’s most recent open heart surgery.  We could have complained, lashed out at people who tried to help us or let ourselves slide into a pit of gloom and despair. We could have only focused on the negative, the hardship, the unfairness of it all. We could have easily taken offense or put up walls.  We could have been petty and played the comparison game.  We could have gotten overwhelmed by the cost, the grueling hospital stay, or the months of recovery.  We could have (and in all fairness, had a right) to throw a giant pity party.  Complete with streamers and balloons.

But that’s not our style.  Because perspective is everything.  We approached that situation the way we’ve always approach our life.

With grit and grace.

We chose to model for our daughter how you face a challenge in life–head on.  You don’t sit back and wait for things to happen to you–you make life happen for you.  We chose to open our arms up to all the help, love, and support from our community.  We were grateful for the small and grand gestures–kind words of advice, meals prepped for us, and a giant goody bag of toys.  We found tiny moments to laugh (James would write on Callie’s medication cups so I wouldn’t drink them accidentally.  “Poo Meds” and “Poo Poo Juice” were some of the more hilarious ones.)  We looked at each small quiet victory as a giant step in the road to recovery.  We modeled for Callie that the motivation, fire, and drive to get better came from within her.  I would never want to have to go through that time period in our life again, but I know now with certainty, that we can handle anything life throws at us.

I’m reminded of that same feeling now and how important perspective is.

We all are going to go through this.  No matter what.  No one will be able to escape it’s repercussions.  This virus will touch each and every one of us in some fashion.

The question will be–how will you go through it?

Will you be building memories with your family?

Will you be hustling to provide another way to earn an income if you’ve lost your job?

Will you be taking this time to slow down and re-focus on what’s truly important to you?

Will you be thankful that you can work from home?

Will you be spending more time cooking family meals?

Will you spend more time improving yourself–spiritually, mentally, physically?

Will you spend this time writing that book, learning to paint, practicing sign language, or finally figuring out how to play the guitar?

Will you be grateful for all that you do have?

Will you come out of this stronger, faster, more centered, and better than before?

Our little family is choosing to ground ourselves in gratitude.  Practice joyful living daily.  Look for ways to give back to others and support small businesses during this time.  Belly laugh often.  Move our bodies every single day.  Continue to be the light in the world.

Rose colored glasses fully engaged.

Your perspective will either be your prison….or your passport through this hard time.  You get to decide.