In one of the many online meetings and conversations I have these days, the meeting facilitator asked us what was the silver lining in all what we were experiencing in the current moment – from teleworking, social distancing, isolation and to quarantining.
There were close to two dozen people who were on the call and each one expressed their thoughts. What came out was expected yet profound.
The insights ranged from having the time to sleep well, exercise, eat home-cooked healthy meals and quality time with loved ones. Some of them even managed to find time to pursue hobbies that they hadn’t had for years. People got creative within the constraints. They saved time by not commuting or sitting in traffic and buying unnecessary stuff.
In my experience, these are the very things we yearn in life to have time for. We have always known that they matter a lot; our health, relationships and taking the time to reflect and recharge; yet we can never find the time for them.
Until we were forced to go home like now, the years might have gone by. Sometimes, the life itself might have gone by. The precious time we now have has not just sent us to our physical abode, but also pushed us to look into our hearts and souls. People have started to pay attention to what really matters. That is more than silver lining, isn’t it? It seems like life itself.
Then there are days when I get caught in the news or feel down because of my own isolation. On those days, I remind myself of all the reasons why, this is a good time for me.
Tomorrow, when the equation is new, the constraints will be different. It will just be another time. It will still be a good time.
That leaves us to NOW!
Here are some of reasons of why this is a good time for me.
– I am immersed in the beauty of the Spring season in Seattle, the way I have not done before. My backyard is my haven. I have setup a place to work from there. On warmer days, I do my creative work there. The hummingbirds, finches, woodpeckers, bees and butterflies give me company. Once in a while, a Steller Jay, pays me a visit. I think it is the same one. We are beginning to recognize each other. I am in the shade of large western red cedars. The majestic maple trees are dressing up in the new green leaves. The nature is at its best.
– Mentally, I am at my sharpest. The home cooked meals, good night sleep, proper digestion, regular exercise and meditation, generative and focused conversations; all help my body, senses and mind to work in harmony.
– I am deeply grateful for what I have. I am aware that I have the means to make the most of the situation and help it grow me and my family. I have this as an opportunity and responsibility to be of service to humanity and help make this a better time for others.
Life is giving us a chance to hit the brakes, pause and re-calibrate ourselves. There will be time soon to hit the throttle again. I want to bet that with the pause and the time to reflect; we will choose to drive our life differently. Maybe, not as much of a rush to the finish line! We will have more appreciation and regard for the nature that we are an integral part of! With such a close encounter with the virus, we will be closer to ourselves than we have ever dared to.
We are not waiting for tomorrow to resume life. We are living it today. For whatever may come tomorrow, there will be a silver lining in that too.
I hope that I am making the right bet! You tell me. My network has folks from many different fields – from technocrats, coaches to start-up leaders. What do you think?
Are we choosing to live in NOW? And as a result, will it change the way we create our tomorrow?
#Coaching #EmotionalIntelligence #IgniteYourLight #EQ #Self-Compassion #Gratitude #ConsciousLeadership
