Moving Forward, NOT returning to normal

What's next? Will we all just go back to the way we did things before, back to normal? How can we, really. We have changed pretty much everything. And is "normal" even possible? Better yet, what IS normal?  Does this even sound worth going back to: The busy life? The fast pace? The disconnect? The longing for more time? No, no it doesn't sound worth it.  I hear so many people talking about getting back to normal. I get it, it's something we say. But, I looked up the definition to normal - conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected.  Then I looked up standard - general consent as a model or example. And then, conform - be similar in form or type; agree. I don't know about you, but I don't want to be normal in the first place! We weren't created to be normal! Didn't Dr. Seuss say "why be normal when you were born to stand out?"

 We can't afford to go back to normal. We've been given an opportunity to be better, all of us. It is sad to think we will most likely end up back to our same old routines, back to "normal" as people call it.  I don't want to go back. I want to be a better person. I want to be purposeful about my days. I want to love my family with all that I can. We've been given a chance to see what it is like to slow down. Even those who have continued to work can see a difference. So then, what do we do?  I guess it all comes down to two questions - what have we learned and what will we do differently from here forward?  Let's figure it out, before we all end up back to "normal," whatever that is...

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Brownies

OK, this is completely off the wall for my posts, but it is well worth it! This is from the cookbook "Alpha-Bakery, Children's Cookbook from Gold Medal," F is for Fudge Brownies 1/4 cup butter 6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips 3/4 cup sugar 2/3 cup flour 1/2 tsp vanilla 1/4 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp salt 2 eggs extra chips for the batter (no more than 1/2 cup!) nuts optional, 1/2 cup Heat oven to 350 and grease the bottom of an 8x8 pan. Heat butter and 6 oz choco chips in 2-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, until melted; remove from heat. Using a wooden spoon, stir in remaining ingredients EXCEPT additional choco chips and nuts, until smooth. Stir in nuts and remaining chips. Spread into prepared pan. Bake until center sets, about 30 minutes. the cool thing is this is a very easy recipe to make with your kids. I made them tonight with my 6-year old. I melted the stuff, she added the rest and stirred it all up. Maybe they taste better because she m
Read more

She thanked me for hand sanitizer...

We showed up at church this morning and there was a homeless person camped at the door. Someone explained she would need move because we needed the door. But she didn't, not out of spite or anger but because she was cold and tired. So we worked around her. I text a gal who leads our outreach ministry to see if she had anything for her. She brought some toiletries and a sandwich. Someone had clothes they were going to give away and gave them to her. Then after service was over, I knew we had coffee left. So I brought her a cup. She is an older gal, maybe my age or a little older.  She asked if we had creamer and I had my daughter take some to her. By now she was moving around, but still at the door. I knew I had a blanket in my car, so I went to get it, and found a light sweater. I brought them to her. She said thank you. And then, she asked if I happened to have hand sanitizer or tissues. I did. And I remembered I had another one in my car. When I got the one out of my car I grabbe
Read more

This Is Hospice, part 6 of 6

Part 6 of 6 January 5. They had to Give mom a test. Hospital had some positive ones. No visitors allowed. Also moving her to the C wing...that's where dad died. Said D wing is for rehab patients and they need to be ready for new patients.   January 7. It's weird not seeing her pretty much every day. Still no visitors allowed. And when we talk it's not much. She doesn't call as often. She did call around 6am, and then called the house later, machine came on. She didn't say anything, just left the line open so a message was left. Nurse came in and asked if she was talking to me, she said yes.   January 12. She is constipated again, hasn't gone since Jan 4. She does not want an enema or suppository. Nurse wanted me to convince her to do it, but mom did NOT want anything if it happens again. Still can't see her and Apria came and picked up her oxygen stuff...   January 14.  Nurse said she pooped yesterday, but I don't know how much. She is very out of it and
Read more