As I write this, life has reached epically bizarre proportions: we are in the midst of a global pandemic. Even in my wildest dreams I’d never have imagined that we would be in lock down at home for months on end, unable to do anything except go outside and make an occasional trip to the grocery store. These restrictions of our daily activities have forced us to go back to the basics. Gone are the days of concerts and sporting events. No more movies, or fancy meals at sit-down restaurants, no massages or manicures. We’ve learned to pare down and simplify our lives. Yet in the midst of it all, I feel incredibly blessed. Being forced to stay home has made me realize that I can still enjoy life no matter what.

It’s always a choice. 

We have the freedom to choose.

At any moment, we have the freedom to choose how we think, feel and act. How we choose to frame a situation and how we choose to respond.

Now don’t get me wrong, there have been days during lockdown where I thought I might lose it. When you live at home 24-7 days tend to blend into one another. Plus it’s hard to wrap your head around everything that’s happened and accept that there’s no end in sight. Human beings have a tough time accepting change and uncertainty; we aren’t comfortable not knowing what lies ahead. 

Shift your focus to what you do have.

But whether we accept what’s going on right now or not, there’s nothing we can do to change it or make it go away. It doesn’t do any good to long for all of the things we can’t have or do. They simply aren’t available, and that’s that. Instead of whining or griping about what you can’t have (which is not a happy-making activity, anyway) why not shift your focus to what you do have? To what is available? 

Today, this day, this moment we’re living right now is unlike any other and it holds its own set of gifts for us to experience… if we are open to that possibility. What if you said to yourself, “How can I make this a good day?” Or better yet, “How can I make this the best day possible?”

Embrace life and experience more.

When we resist life we miss out. But if we embrace today for what it holds then we open ourselves up to so many more possibilities. Think about how many moments that make up a day. There are so many opportunities to try something new, to do that thing you’ve been putting off for weeks. To relish a sunrise, or a flower, or a brief burst of affection from your cat.

No, life doesn’t look like what it used to. Do I sometimes wish things were different? Do I miss going to the movies? Absolutely! Especially this week, while we’re living through a crazy-intense heat wave. But. I made a delicious smoothie for breakfast. I learned how to do something complicated on my website today and felt invincible once I got it working. I went on a super-long meandering walk with my dog this morning and caught the sunrise as it was cresting the hills. Now that was a moment. 

Each moment is precious.

Each moment is precious and rich, all the more so if we allow ourselves to appreciate them. Right now, because of Covid, there are fewer distractions that might pull my attention in a million different directions, and it’s so much easier to be present in the moment.  And you know what? I’m okay with that.