Our new normal

COVID, the illness, and the restrictions put in place because of it caused many of us to rethink our values, our attitudes, and our life choices. A year ago, we were forced to change because of this Pandemic. We were told that we would be in it for the long haul, very few of us believed that to be true.

A year ago, we were losing the battle but now the tide is changing, and we are slowly starting to see a chance of victory over the virus. Or at the very least a reprieve and a chance to get back to normal. Have you noticed that very often, when tides start turning, and great gears start shifting, and gusting winds start blowing at the onset of a change of alignment with your present life, there is commotion, unpredictability, even turmoil?

Hang on for the ride of your life as we face the transition from what some say was a year unlike any we have experienced for a lifetime, to a different year. The transition will not be smooth, it will be unpredictable, scary, and devastating for some and for some exhilarating. Most of us will get through the transition because we have learned to live with and accept commotion, unpredictability, even turmoil as part of the new normal.

For those who have not yet learned to accept this new reality, life still goes on. When I was young and struggling with a task or a goal, I learned that if I focused on how far or how much I had to do, I would just want to give up. I learned that if I looked at how much had been done, I would take heart and be able to move ahead. We have over the last year learned a great deal and with the help of great scientists, health care workers and providers many have survived and are becoming stronger and better.