We are ending our second week of “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order, and our governor just extended it another 30+ days. Okay. Enforced stay-at-home orders, I was sure, was going to be great! I’m a doer, and there’s so much to do. These 14 days would see much accomplished.
Instead, I’ve enjoyed being a couch-potato way too much! Actually, it’s my armchair…I despise our couch! I truly thought this time would be different!
Documentaries, internet surfing, social distance blow out on social platforms, a little reading, research, get up and work on the puzzle a little bit, reconnect with friends across the nation, restock our shelves from the grocery store, start a morning devotional, minister online at church…
What is the result of my plan? I’m going stir-crazy! Productivity is limited, and this is the start of my bride’s first full retirement month! It seems that I must get out of the house and go.
It’s been too cold, rainy and windy for tractor work, especially if you are working on your immune system and working on staying healthy. But this season is exactly the best time for me! It’s cold. Rainy. Windy. I’m loving it! We missed the promised snow this week, but it’s 30 degrees outside an hour before the sun comes up! Excellent!
Through these past two weeks, I’ve seen midnight come and go too many times. Routine is missing. Equally, I’ve slept past my normal 5:30 am up and at’em mentality. Power naps have been more enjoyed, and actually, the couch is utilized!
Plans of Mice And Men
At the start of this shut-down, I planned on getting some real focus and accomplishing some major tasks. My garage and office. Both are in desperate need of minimization and organization. I’ll get to it during the next four weeks, I’m sure. Only if nothing else pops up that needs my distraction, uh, attention.
Thank you, governor. You’ve given me four more weeks! I promise. I’ll get’er done!
However, a problem does exist in the accomplishment plan. The problem? The dump is closed, Goodwill is not accepting donations, and I have no place to unload my disorganized life to.
Oh, well. Couch? Here I come! Let’s analyze this a little more.
What’s missing? Rubbing shoulders with real people! Now, I’m an introvert by nature, and have to exercise myself out of my comfort zone to be around people. Seldom a day goes by that I’m not in the physical presence of someone other than my bride.
Our neighborhood is spread out, as we all have at least 5 acres. I seldom see anyone. They seem to have adapted to the sequestered nature of this time better than I. We seldom talk at all, but I’ve enjoyed waving to them as they pass by. Connection!
The local stores are getting the “bare shelves” look and there are still some things we are missing, so I coast through the aisles looking for items. So far, I’ve not met anyone I know, but at least there are people around me. Connection!
My bride as adapted better than I. She’s only left the house to handle mail or pets. Contentment is resting on her face as work unloads off her shoulders and the mantle of retirement gets slipped on. She’s quite content with no physical connection.
What’s Next
“I promise to do my best to …”, now, how did that Scout motto go? God, Country, Scout Law. The wording is different between Cub and Boy, but the theme is the same.
I promise…my best…to God, country and the Scout Law.
Maybe this is what’s missing right now. No commitment to accomplishment. Has anything been accomplished during these past two weeks? Of course.
The digital platform of our online church service is getting a workout. Improvements have been made. It’s getting smoother! And, it looks like the shut down of the nation is helping us decide about some additional property for our church. I’m waiting for a bid from the property manager to add some square footage to our rental agreement. Can we afford it? Hurry up, email!
We have completed 2500 pieces between two puzzles. It’s been a mind-distracting challenge to complete!
I’m finally back to teaching class online after nearly 3 years hiatus. Love it! Thus, there’s purpose for more than what I normally do. It’s connection with others!
Perhaps the part of life that is missing is the connection with others. An experiment of staying home, staying healthy, shows how much we are connected with the physical presence of others. Click To TweetSum It Up
What’s that quote we mention often enough?
No man is an Island, entire of itself;
every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main;
if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less,
as well as if a promontory were,
as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were;
any man’s death diminishes me,
because I am involved in Mankind;
And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
It tolls for thee.
John Donne, Meditation XVII
English clergyman & poet (1572 – 1631)
We are not meant to exist only within, nor for, ourselves. Scouting understands this. Social dynamics demand it. My life screams for it.
During this time of isolation, we’ve all seen life change. Births, deaths, sicknesses – all go unattended by the normal fanfare of celebrating and helping. Now, we must wear masks to protect ourselves and others from something we cannot see with our natural vision.
Streets are eerily empty. Stores shuttered. Restaurants closed and never making a come back. The stock market is flexing and in constant flux.
But behind all those empty windows are people…bursting with anticipation…to return to normal life. Amos Lee sings a song that makes me think about life after the shutdown.
A thousand empty windows
And only half the lights are out
I wonder what these peoples lives
What they might be all about
Do they got a lover
And could they have a family
Or could it be they’re just as lonesome
As you and me
Get well, everyone. A new day is dawning. This too shall pass, and we will be the better because of it. Sanitizer, anyone?