This past week has been one of the most bizarre I have ever been a part of and the same may be said for you.

During the weekend of March 7th I was out in the Black Hills enjoying a few days full of laughter and the outdoors. A group of us hiked Lovers Leap and Falling Rock on a 70 degree Saturday afternoon. We sat atop a 700 foot drop-off and marveled at the view. The fresh air and sun beating down on us is tough to put into words. The uneasy feeling in my gut and standing near that drop-off is not: My hands are still shaking and my leg might still be wet.

As we were getting ready to go out to eat one of my buddies mentioned the Coronavirus. It was starting to show up quickly in the United States and had reached nearly 3,500 deaths worldwide. With an Arizona trip approaching I wondered if it would affect my visit. There’s just something special about an 90 degree day in March laying by the pool and celebrating my sister completing her Optometry Board exam. We quickly went on to another subject and headed out the door to crush some Que Pasa - the burrito I inhaled was the size of my face.

Fast forward to Wednesday afternoon and news is breaking left and right. The virus is spreading quickly and numbers are rising. I flipped on a basketball game that night and news continued to pour in. Just before tipoff an NBA was cancelled due to “unforeseen circumstances.” The second game of that doubleheader was cancelled. A few moments later it is revealed that an NBA player tested positive for COVID-19. A few moments after that - the NBA suspends it’s season.

At work the next morning the spread was a part of every conversation. As the day continued there was news of cancellations in all types of industries, campuses were closing, travel was restricted from Europe, and the outbreak was deemed a pandemic. The NCAA announces that all winter and spring championships are cancelled. March Madness - gone.

The news just kept on coming. The news keeps on coming. No matter what interests we have, what career we’re in, or what our family dynamic is there are numerous ways in which this virus has affected us all.

As the cancellations, shutdowns, and numbers continue to rise there are a few things I began to take notice of.

One thing that clearly stands out is the amount of helping hands and support! There have been pledges, donations, fundraisers, and other acts of service that have provided a positive spark. There are numerous friends and acquaintances that have posted a willingness to help with feeding children due to schools being shut down. Several communities and apartments have had residents put up flyers and posts on social media encouraging people who are more vulnerable to the virus to reach out for help with running errands, picking up medications, or going to the grocery store. 

With the shutdowns affecting multiple industries there has also been several people who’s income and living expenses are now a huge issue and added stress. People’s jobs and wellbeing are being put on hold all over the world. In one of the first examples of unwavering support NBA player Kevin Love committed $100,000 to the workers and support staff of the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball arena to help aide their families. Several players, athletes, and public figures quickly followed suit.

The story of Rebecca Mehra’s act of kindness did not go unnoticed. I’ve heard other stories similar to this one just around the community about every day people, from different walks of life, providing a helping hand. The support that people have showed to one another has definitely been inspiring.

This has certainly been an uneasy time for all of us. In different ways we have been uniquely impacted and have had to adjust. My Arizona trip isn’t happening. My sister’s test is postponed. My youngest sister’s senior track and field season isn’t happening. One big adjustment many people have had to make is a term that wasn’t so mainstream as it is now - social distancing.

It’s been suggested, mentioned, or mandated to practice social distancing as a way to slow the spread of this virus down. At the root it’s essentially saying “stay home.”

The idea for some is extremely difficult. Others may have not even skipped a beat during everyday life. There’s been a constant for most of us the past 8 days - there isn’t a whole lot going on.

Schools are closed. Restaurants are closed. Gyms are closed. Face to face interactions are closed. Sports are closed. Many of us are working from home. Some of us aren’t working at all. Many of us are home all day with kids. Most of us are losing our minds.

Following the virus and constant news day after day I needed to disconnect. The unsettling feeling in my stomach was agitating and not going away. As I began to relax and settle in one night I remembered some values of mine that were temporarily lost during this madness.

One of those values was staying in the moment. I referenced how crucial it is stay present and not let our mind create additional stress and anxiety in How Can We Become More Present? With all that’s happening we can’t make it worse on ourselves by worrying, creating what-if scenarios, and fearing the unknown. We can maneuver those things by the decisions we make and remember that the only thing each of us can control is ourselves. Take care of yourself, your frame of mind, and your decisions - the rest of the outside world, and all the other moving parts, will take care of themselves.

A silver lining that I’ve taken from this uneasy time? I’ve chosen to embrace it as an opportunity.

An opportunity to slow down. An opportunity to reset. An opportunity to reflect. An opportunity to read more. An opportunity to work on my projects. An opportunity to let my mind wander. To create, to learn, to listen, and to enjoy the stillness. There are several things I’ve found to look at this time in a positive light.

I see it as an opportunity and I hope you can too. Perhaps you’re able to spend more time with your kids or significant other? Maybe you’re able to finally get to the garage project you’ve been wanting to? Have you been able to bake that pan of brownies you’ve been itching to try? How many pans did you make? Four isn’t enough.

The outside world is as noisy and also as quiet as it’s ever been. There are no sports to watch, no concerts to go to, no bars to drink at, and no friends to mingle with. Maybe this time of absence and distraction is your chance to reflect, reset, and grow. This could be the time to focus in and fill your cup. Perhaps the stillness is your chance to look in and remember just how special you are, and this life, is.

Let’s share our stories! The impact this situation has had on us is unprecedented and we all have different experiences. With less noise we have a unique opportunity to grasp something that is so precious to all of us - time.

I hope you all stay extremely well and healthy.

What’s your silver lining?

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