Corona Thoughts and Personal Challenges

There seem to be 2 sides about this on social media…..

1. Everyone is over-reacting to this. We should keep living life.
2. This is NOT about us… it’s about protecting others b/c we might be a carrier and don’t know it. We need to listen to the experts and help flatten the curve.

 

Some people are comparing this to the flu…. we just can’t. If we awaken with aches and pains and fever, we know we have the flu and we stay home because we don’t want to infect anyone (and well, we’d feel AWFUL so you wouldn’t want to go out).

 

Corona is different because we might have it for TWO weeks (feeling GREAT) before the 1^st sign or symptom. TWO weeks…. Wouldn’t we all feel awful if we knew we made someone ill and double bad if they die? Now I know. I know. Corona does NOT equal death. Far from it for most. But obviously, people ARE dying (young and old).

 

The only example I can think of that might correlate is this: A young couple is “working on” having a baby. Knowing this, when they go out, the wife chooses to not drink alcohol. She knows she COULD drink alcohol BUT because she ‘might not’ be pregnant, but she chooses to protect the “maybe” baby.  Research and doctors tell us that alcohol is not good for the fetus. No, it won’t kill the fetus but it’s not healthy.

 

So with Corona– we don’t know if we are a carrier. Because we know it’s not healthy to be around others when we are sick (even though we don’t FEEL sick), we need to do what is recommended of us by the experts. BUT yes, it stinks because most of us love our lives and want to live it the way we want to live it.

 

When we are inconvenienced, we like to blame someone or something. In this case, I’ve heard;

1. It’s the media’s fault. They’re trying to scare us. (It’s not the media’s fault. They are giving us facts that are given to them. I’m grateful we have a media that can communicate to us ALL at the same time so we can keep up).
2. It’s the government’s fault. It’s not the government’s fault. I’m grateful we have elected officials who can support the CDC and the WHO.

If there is a fault at all… it’d fall upon us (individually) for not following the expert’s recommendations. I guess we’d all think a little differently if our loved one contracted the virus, especially if they were already compromised.

 

Now… IF you find yourself at home with more TIME on your hands b/c you’re choosing to lay low… I’d like to give you some suggestions and challenges for you…. Let me know if you accept any of these challenges.

 

1. Read that book you’ve been meaning to start.
2. Reflect on your goals (MAKE goals if you don’t have any)
3. If you’re single start dating online (because everyone is at home and has extra time). You can do it from home in your PJ’s.
4. If you’re married- think up creative dates to do at home.
   1. Have a picnic in the living room.
   2. Makeup scavenger hunts.
   3. Cook a new meal together.
   4. Play a board game/cards.
   5. Watch a new Netflix series or romantic movie.
5. Have 1-3 friends over for dinner/game nights.
6. Brainstorm your passions – your dreams. Which one do you want to lean in to?
7. Plan your next vacation (for once this passes).
8. De-clutter all your closets and drawers.
9. Start on a new home project.
10. Deep clean places that need to be deep cleaned.
11. Make a list of people you haven’t talked to in a while and enjoy making phone calls.
12. Find creative ways to exercise at home.
13. Sign up for that online class/training you’ve been putting off.
14. Research something you’re passionate about that might drive you to your next adventure.
15. Take a hike. Being outside (not around lots of people) should be fine.
16. Go on a long walk listening to a new podcast.
17. “I never have time to read the bible/write in my journal/ fill in the blank.” Now you have time!
18. If your kids are home and don’t have school assignments, encourage them to make goals and how to improve with something. Have them answer…. 1. What are your dreams? 2. How can you add value to others?
19. Make a bucket list/experience list.
20. Volunteer to watch a health care worker’s kids so he/s can keep helping care for the sick. OR the same with a single parent that needs help with the kids so he/she can work.
21. Download the Marco Polo app and send video messages to friends…. and/or FaceTime them?
22. Take the money you’re saving from NOT going out and donate it to your church and/or favorite nonprofit.

 

 

Shortlist of what NOT to do…. Don’t over-eat, over-drink, over-shop online, lay around watching hours of TV eating potato chips, spending 8 hours on social media, being a hermit and not engaging with anyone. And by all means, stop blaming and complaining and just do what YOU know what to do (wash hands and surfaces often, lay low to help flatten the curve of the outbreak). The quicker we can slow this down, the quicker we can get back to our normal FULL lives. (And doesn’t this make you appreciate your freedom?)