Finding Definition in Undefined Times

As the days tick by I am starting to feel like I am ready to lean into this new normal to see what learning and development can be found.  I feel like I spent the first week or two subconsciously fighting what was happening.  Feeling like it was happening to me, and I know that I was not alone.  The overall sense of being slowly stripped of our ability to control how our days and lives were playing out felt scary and unfamiliar.  We are so fortunate to live in a society where we have so many freedoms and rights that up until lately, were being taken for granted.  This has been demonstrated so very clearly by the large numbers of people who despite the warnings about going out and socializing have been actually fined now for doing so.  I feel like this is happening as a direct reaction to being told that we can't.

The term "unprecedented" has been used so frequently now in the media and in most communications that have been shared that it has lost its impact.  In fact, I am tired of using that term myself.  I am starting to look at life right now as undefined...I feel like that word sums up what we are experiencing and also lends an air of potential to the mix.  And as I say that, please do not for one minute think that I am ignoring or glossing over the absolute fight that we have on our hands still, and the many tireless hours that our brave front line workers are putting in to ensure our safety and ability to still provide the necessities for ourselves and our families.

What I am saying though, is that despite the negativity and fear that we are surrounded by, we also need to see that this is an opportunity to redefine who we are and how we live our lives.  Right now our daily routines have been stripped down to the essentials and we are all finding new ways of being productive and helping our children continue to learn and grow.  We are turning to our communities for support and also to ensure that all members of our communities are being supported.  It warms my heart when I hear news stories about small businesses who are finding ways to continue to thrive and who are being given those opportunities by others who are looking to lend a helping hand.
In my life, I am noticing that I am having moments where I am embracing challenges and trying to find new ways to adapt to the changes that seem to keep coming my way.  One of the biggest challenges that I have faced has been in my perception of what I am accomplishing and how it stacks up to what others are facing or the work that they are doing.  I have had many moments where I have felt like I am moving through my days without purpose, because what I am working on isn't as big or meaningful as what I am seeing and hearing from different channels.  What I am realizing is that everyone has a unique lived experience, and the goal really is to not diminish our experience by comparing it to that of someone else's.  Rather the goal is to embrace the diversity that we are seeing expressed, and to see these unique perspectives as a way to broaden ours.