You Can’t Always Get What You Want, But You Can Try.

Our experience(s) during this pandemic should not be wasted. After getting

over the fact that we need to change our lives, hopefully, we would realize

the opportunity for this change may not occur at any other time.

Hard to imagine that COVID could be considered an opportunity for good.

Are we out of danger? Of course not. But this has been a time of learning

about ourselves and those we love and care for.

I have learned that we need time alone and COVID has provided that. I also

learned that after being on my own to write and try to create things, I need to

interact with others.

Classes

I do this by classes on Zoom. I started on Zoom last September and it worked

fine for me to have writing classes. In the beginning, it was simply to learn

the basics of writing and blogging. What it turned out to be was a playground

to meet new friends!

I have never laughed and had so much fun as I do in the Ninja Writers

classes. The instructors have taught me so much, but when you have

somebody in the class that is brave and is willing to say, “I don’t know what

you’re talking about? I just don’t get it”, then I relax and realize that I am not

alone and can concentrate on learning.

This time of my life

It is not lost on me that I am retired and do not have children and

work-related issues to contend with. I do, however, see plenty of unhappy

seniors. The reason I am happy most of the time is that I always think that a

senior is anybody ten years older than me.

I think when you are feeling sorry for yourself the best thing to do is help

someone else. You will soon find that you are better off than most.

Yes, I am healthy. Yes, I have always had a positive attitude without working

at it. And yes, I have a sporty red car! Hard not to be happy.

My eyesight is not quite as good as it used to be so I can check out the mirror

and see me looking as good as ever. Begone mirrors with 10X vision.

Environment

One good thing the pandemic caused was a lifting of the smog. Apparently,

people in certain cities in China are seeing the blue sky for the first time in

many years.

The usual traffic jams were just not here for many months and it was a

pleasure to drive. Since a lot of people have gone back to work traffic is

dreadful.

Work Places

Many people found that they could work very effectively from home. Funny

how management said it wasn’t possible until it was the only option available.

One of my sons said he told his manager that he would do more work at home

because he had less interruption. He also got to have his cat that would sit on

his computer keyboard when it was time to take a break, rather than gossip at

the lunchroom. He is also better at working in the evening. He could do twice

as much as at any other time of day.

We need to think about using these options for our worker’s health and

business productivity.

Happy Hour

Every afternoon at 4 pm is happy hour where I live. Anyone is invited but it is

usually the couples from four other homes close to mine. We have driveways

with six 8x8 foot squares of concrete. Each neighbor gets a square with or

without a partner. Bring your own chair, your own glass, and your own drink

of choice. We gather for one to one and a half hours and usually solve most

world problems. We stay safe by social distancing, have a little interaction,

and enjoy the afternoon sun.

Seriousness of COVID

I know many people have been impacted by COVID. We cannot ignore it. It is

here and we need to deal with it and help one another out until we come up

with a credible vaccine.

I have volunteered to go to work as a COVID Contact Tracer if they need me. I

hope I won’t be needed, but if I am that’s what I’ll do.

We all need to pull together at this time. My generation, as a Canadian, has

not ever been through a war, so I think this is our war. There is so much

unknown. So many have died or have had family members been seriously ill

with this. We don’t know when this will be over. So much uncertainty!

So let each of us put on our big girl panties and deal with it the best way we

know. Try finding your happiness with positivity, caring, and love.