Month: April 2020

A little death makes life more meaningful.

As this virus rages on, more and more of what we’ve been taking for granted becomes clearer and clearer, at least to me. Interaction with people, visiting your favorite places, your livelihood; so many aspects of our lives have been changed literally overnight.

This really got me thinking. When our lives turn normal again, what will we as a human race do different? What long term effects will this virus really spawn? If any.

I can only speak for me. But the other day I was looking through old pictures. Not like physical pictures, but digital memories. I was struck with just how many memories Lindsey and I made going places. Experiencing things together. Creating adventures, whether that be something minor like taking the long way to church or something major like taking a boat ride together in St. Augustine with an oversized moon illuminating each other.

Sure I was there and present for it. But up until now I can’t really say I cherished those times. I experienced them. I took photos of them and logged them in my day one app. Clearer than ever now, I can see that’s not what really matters. What really matters is to be there, living the moment. Being thankful for the opportunity for memories, and not just taking all those experiences as the status quo. Living those experiences as monumental happenings that we are not guaranteed, but lucky enough to obtain.

A little death indeed makes life more meaningful. When the opportunity to make memories ceased, I got ahold of how lucky and blessed we were to even embark on such memories to begin with.

This Coronavirus experience really solidifies that products, things and possessions hold little to no weight on who I am or what I want to be. I want to be a person who truly cherishes experiences with my wife and friends. If not when this social distancing is over, then when?

I don’t want another pandemic as a reminder.

A disclaimer is in order here:

I don’t watch the news normally. It’s a personal decision I made a few months ago. Maybe one day I’ll write about it more, but ultimately it was and does still effect my mental health in an awful way. So I made the decision of just not watching anymore. And let me tell you, just like Facebook, the absence of it has helped me tremendously and added much value to my well being.

Ok, disclaimer over.

So here’s something everyone knows: The news stations are brutal. If you don’t watch the one you agree with – you get furious. If you watch the one you agree with – you get furious. It’s a toxic hellstew served on a silver platter. Most of them are fueled by inducing fear and anger in their viewers. I just can’t get behind that. Anyways…..

I continue to be surprised at the complete contrast of reality and reporting. Not that the virus isn’t real and effecting people, but the fact of feeling helpless when I watch the news and how hopeful things feel when I actually talk to real humans.

This really is making me wonder how much influence the news actually has on me and everyone else.

But recent days the news is always on. At work, in the background, on twitter, on the radio, being forced onto my phone’s screen with breaking news updates. For someone like me, it’s very near unbearable.

To be fair though , what else are they going to report on? They need ratings and the world is glued to TVs right now. Everyone is home. Everyone is bored. Simple equation. It makes sense. But, how good is this for our mental health? Hearing bad news after bad news over and over, day by day. Mask shortages, ventilator shortages, death counts, etc.

You would think in times like this, good news would be appreciated and valued. Even more-so, sought after.

Unfortunately, if you want good news you’ll have to look elsewhere. Fox, CNN, CNBC and every other news station will not fill that void for you.

Maybe take up a new hobby. I’m reading and writing a lot more. These are self contained activities that I control. Thats helping me right now. I know my buddy Jeremy is taking up baking and many others are using this time to learn something they never would have had time for normally.

I think thats good medicine. My Nonni always told me: ‘If your going to go through something, at least learn something when your going through it.”

That’s still productive advice.

The church world has been interesting during COVID-19. Everyone and everything has been effected by this virus, but myself and other Christians are facing unprecedented times.

In the beginning I think the realization we weren’t going to church felt odd. But looking back, I should have saw that coming. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but necessary. Congregating in one building with 100 plus people isn’t the right thing to be doing right now. Also consider what you’re doing when you’re at church. Shaking hands, hugging, singing in close proximity.

My personal experience has been a little different from most. I head up our tech and video streaming department so I’ve actually been going to church making sure streaming is running smoothly. Thats another odd result of this virus. Being in that building while empty just doesn’t feel quite right. The preacher preaching to no one is odd (i’m sure for him more than anyone). I understand we are trying to make the best out of this coronavirus situation, but the church has really taken a hit.

Some of the postives though, Facebook has proved to be a great place to convene to stream special singing events and bible studies and likeminded conversations. The silver lining in all this craziness, truly. I never thought i’d say Facebook could be used for something good :/

I think after this is over, Christians will be happy to return to church. Maybe even feel more appreciative of the actual services and physical location of the church body. But, christians having to flex their faith muscles at home is not all that bad either. Personally speaking, it’s helped me tremendously in the self-discipline category.

At the end of this and the beginning of normalcy, Christians will have gotten a hint of something no modern day Christian ever has in America. A government sanctioned denial of church services.

Is anyone noticing people interaction on the incline? I know we are supposed to be sheltering in place. I understand most people aren’t at work. But when I go for walks or drive through my neighborhood I see people out and about.

Strangers smiling, waving, even talking (6 feet apart). It’s really odd to see actually. When you turn on the news it’s a doom and gloom situation. But when you venture out, the number of walkers has increased. The number of bikers is on the rise. People are certainly being more active.

From experiences I’ve had going to grocery stores, people seem to be conversing more, also. Either about the actual Coronavirus, how they are coping through it, the shortage of toilet paper, the difference in state policies and regulations. People are talking again in agreement. Thats a miracle unto itself.

I’m wondering why.

I have a hunch it’s because we finally all have one thing in common. We all are effected by this pandemic. Whether you believe the origin story or not, you can’t deny its effecting people and lives across the world. So when we see fellow humans, we nod and understand. We are going through the same thing. All together.

Obviously the Coronavirus is here. It’s everywhere; all over the world. What else can you say is everywhere? Oxygen? These are really crazy times. Every store front; a white piece of paper. Every company you’ve ever done business with; an email. Masks shortages, getting the death stare while coughing in public. Movie stuff, really…

I’ve had many moments of free time and reflection the past few weeks. I’ve found my writing in Day One increased substantially. I’m lucky in the fact that writing has really never been an issue for me. I’ve never had a loss for words when writing. Speaking, well that’s entirely different. But, writing always felt like a way to speak at my own pace – in my own tone – with no one correcting, judging or losing interest. I suspect thats why many introverts trend towards writing.

This got me thinking….

In my Day One app, my topics have been slowing merging from personal to blogosphere stuff. Why not write on here? So here I am. I can’t promise a post everyday, but I will try to write on a consistent basis during this Coronavirus period.

As much as the idea of writing has always been personal to me, the end result is always almost never that, especially with this site. In times of isolation and sheltering in place, writing here again proves to check many boxes that fit well in times like this.