living in this new world

Something is different now. Or actually, everything is different now. When the Covid pandemic struck in March of 2020, life as we once knew it vanished. Yes, some things are still the same, I know, I know. But at the same time, everything is also completely different.

We’re all living in the same ever-evolving society. Sometimes things can change as quickly as overnight!

And it’s different for everyone.

Not everyone is coping with the same changes that you or I have. Not everyone sees everything the same way. It’s actually pretty hard to find someone with your exact viewpoints these days.

Maybe you’re feeling pressured to get the covid vaccine. Maybe you can’t figure out why someone wouldn’t want to get the covid vaccine. Maybe you lost your job because of the the covid restrictions and you want things to open back up ASAP. Maybe you think opening back up is dumb and you want to be super cautious. Maybe everything you were taught as a child is now being viewed as wrong. Maybe you’re happy to see some positive change. Maybe you’ve lost friends or family members because they don’t share the same beliefs about our world as you do. Maybe you want everyone to stop talking about politics all the time. Maybe you want to voice your opinions but you’re scared. I could go on and on and on, but you get the picture.

The point is…no matter what lens you look through, EVERYONE is dealing with constant change in this new world. The only constant that I can find to bring us together is that everyone is completely DIFFERENT.

So how do we live in this new world where it’s getting harder and harder to find common ground? I have NO IDEA. What I do know, however, is what NOT to do. I know this from my own experiences and maybe it’ll help.

Don’t, watch the news all day hoping for some clarity. Don’t get addicted to Twitter. Actually, just turn off your computer, cell phone, and TV, and go outside.

Don’t start drinking wine for temporary relief because in the morning your stress will still be there. Same goes with food, cigarettes, weed…whatever vice you have. It won’t help.

Don’t stuff your beliefs down everyone else’s throat. It doesn’t end well. Remember, the only thing we have in common right now is that we are all dealing with this new world differently. Be gracious and humble in your beliefs. The only person you have control over is yourself. It’s more likely that someone will disagree with you than agree.

At the same time, don’t take other people’s view of things personally. People will believe what they believe. It has nothing to do with you as a person.

Don’t give in to fear. Fear can easily control you if you let it. Yes, I agree we are living in a fearful time. Change is scary and it’s hard to operate day to day without knowing what the future brings. But living in fear can be paralyzing. Don’t waste the life we have fearful of living it. Whatever will be, will be.

Don’t stop looking for the miracles in this world. It’s hard to see them these days with all the negativity, but miracles still exist. There is still light shining but you’re not going to find it in the dark.

I definitely don’t have all the answers friends, this is just stuff I’ve learned in my own experiences. But just because I’m no expert, doesn’t mean I want to stop sharing and writing either. I haven’t been blogging in over a year because I’ve been struggling to find my voice in this new world. There is a part of me, even as I write this, that doubts I have anything of value to offer in my writing anymore. But I promise to keep trying if you do. We’re all in this beautiful ugly world together and it’s my hope we can lean on each other to make it through.