There is a saying, "Walk softly, and carry a big stick." I don't know where it came from but I conger up images in my mind of someone who is preparing for battle and is cautiously approaching the "enemy."
We have been hiding from Covid-19 as we sheltered in place, isolated, and self-quarantined. Now that the number of deaths attributed to the virus are declining across the nation and around the world, people are considering what their next steps will be. Some people believe it is too soon to return to work and want to continue to feel safe in their homes. Others feel a need to return to a resemblance of normalcy and are rushing back to find it. Still others are taking steps to move cautiously into reopening businesses and follow the recommended guidelines for social distancing.
Everyone is trying to figure it all out. No one has all the answers, and we may look back at this time years from now and realize there are questions still that have no answers.
Anxiety is high, depression is hovering, and fear drives everything.
Fear of contracting the disease and of passing it on to others.
Fear of returning to work only to have your business fail because people are afraid to show up.
Fear about changes resulting from more and more businesses close their doors and move their products and services to on-line.
Fear of more isolation, disconnect, and dying alone.
I think it's time to reboot and stop looking at life through such a negative window. When I talk to my clients I compare their vision with driving a car with the windshield blacked out. They can't see where they are going. They look in the rear-view mirror, but that only tells them where they've been. You'll never get anywhere successfully (and with less collisions) until you clean your windshield. So, stop looking at what was and look to what might be:
Closer connection with family and a desire to continue new traditions.
Restart, rebuild, and renew your business with new passion and energy.
Set goals for the future, live in the moment, and cherish everyone you meet.
Be the best you can be.
Inspire others to be the best they can be.
Rip that rear-view mirror off and throw it out the window. You can't do anything about it anyway. It's only a point of reference as you establish a new destination. The good thing is that you get to pick that new destination. So don't forget to take with you on your new travels the building blocks of faith, hope, and love. Have faith that tomorrow will be better than today. Keep hope flowing as you rebuild. And share love for your family and neighbors because they also are trying to figure it out.
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love."
1Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)