Surviving to Thriving in a Pandemic

This has been a unique time in my life, and a unique time for many people. As we have progressed through the safer at home order there have been stages to my emotional state. At first I was kind of shocked that everything just ended and we are staying at home. Then the day that the state shut down schools for the year I was good until I received a call that there was a large group of students at school. I went up there and found a group of students with sidewalk chalk, and they were writing messages as a class on the concrete. There were some touching messages, but it became clear that school this year was done. It was emotional. Since that time, I have progressed in dealing with the current situation. 

I was on a webinar with an education consultant and he presented the question of what are you grateful for during this pandemic. This made me think about the increased time I am able to spend with my nineteen-month-old son. If there is one person, I know that loves the safer at home order, it is Caleb. He gets to spend more quality time with mom and dad then when we had to work. I am grateful that we can eat dinner each night as a family. I am grateful for the conversations that I have been able to enjoy with my wife Tania. I am grateful that I have been able to increase my time focusing on my own personal growth and development. I am grateful for the new relationships that I have formed that are pushing me personally and professionally. 

Later that day I was looking at listening to something from Tim Kight. Tim Kight runs a podcast that I regularly listen to, and I find tremendous value in his insight. The quote said “gratefulness replaces fearfulness.” This quote resonated with me, and continued to shift my thinking during this trying time. Even in the toughest situations there are things you can be grateful for in your life. There are some things that have changed in my world and it feels as if things have slowed down in life, and this allows me to be a better father and husband. This shift has moved my attitude from surviving to thriving in this pandemic. Never underestimate the power of gratitude.