I am a firm believer that everything in life happens for a reason. We may not understand nor agree with everything that God “allows”, but He has a purpose for everything that occurs. He is a God of not only purpose, but precise detail within that purpose. When we can see that and also accept it, life is much easier – not just the good, but the bad as well.

The Coronavirus pandemic hit us without any warning and no time for real preparation. We can go until the end of time trying to affix blame on what could have been done and what should have been done to prepare specifically the population of the United States, but that would get us nowhere. Those who have contracted the disease, and even more tragic, those who lost their lives to it are unable to reverse any part of the devastation.

Those of us who have been fortunate enough not to have been afflicted by this horrible virus, should have a lot to say and do as an open expression of gratitude. When tough circumstances befall us, it is human nature to quickly emphasize the worst, and focus on how our life has been negatively impacted. This very week my husband and I are supposed to be on vacation in Puerto Rico. Am I bummed that we’re not there? Absolutely!!! But I told my husband I plan to go somewhere and enjoy an authentic taco! Now, what about looking deeper into the situation to determine the good that may have come out of this pandemic? At the very least, we hopefully can be sensitive enough, and yes, I’ll say it — mature enough to attempt to view the situation from a different perspective. For weeks, if not months now, a vast majority of the population has either been working from home, and even some have been furloughed or found themselves unemployed. This equates to many people having more time on their hands. Yes, many have found themselves almost as busy, and a few even busier during this pandemic. At any rate, there has been a shift in the lifestyle of every living human being for the most part. So, what did we do with this shift? What adjustments did we make? Did we rearrange our days and weeks in order to remain productive? Change can be a very unsettling anomaly. Yet, if you think about it, it is all in what we allow and how flexible we determine we will be in the midst of it! You must see the need for change before you can successfully adapt to change.

I am one who does not like to slow down and be inactive. Because of my upbringing, that equates to laziness and non-productivity. That was just the principle of the Amos household! In just recent years, I am finally discovering that is not the case. During these weeks of quarantine, I have accepted the fact that it is “okay” to slow down, rest, and take an occasional nap! Trust me, the world did not end, I was not labeled a slacker, and my body thanked me!! That’s just one example of a lifestyle change that I made in a positive direction. There are many things that we could have and still can achieve even though certain restrictions are being gradually lifted throughout the states as the individual governors dictate. I took the liberty to list a few to ignite your thought process.

• Read — that is an excellent way to learn, it broadens your horizons

• Rest – it benefits the body physically, mentally, and emotionally

• Appreciate the simple things in life – enjoy nature, take a drive, go out for ice cream

• Exercise – even if it’s just a walk to breathe fresh air and soak in the sunshine

• Connect / Reconnect with Family and Friends – Texting is good, but an occasional phone call is even better (especially for the older generation)

• Start journaling – make the first entry in your journal a list of your blessings

• Start a new hobby / start collecting something that has special meaning to you

• Learn a new skill or craft — virtually learning has become the tool of the future

• Spend more time with God

Sometimes it is our narrow landscape that prohibits the panoramic view of what God wants us to experience. So, it is never too late to start something good. It will certainly prove to God that you learned something, and this pandemic did in fact DO SOMETHING FOR YOU and not just TO YOU!!