Life Pre-Pandemic to One Year Later

Life pre-pandemic to one year later and learning to cope with the reality that so much has changed. In looking back to a little over a year ago we were returning from the NAMM show in Los Angeles. It was our second year to attend and something we were planning on as an annual tradition. The first year (2019) we just explored the convention as a whole. In 2020 we knew what to expect so we were able to work our way through the trade show with intention. Knowing what our company needed we strategically visited our vendors and started making our 2020 upgrade plans.

First US Case

On the morning of January 21, 2020 we were having a quick breakfast in our hotel before the last leg of our trip home. This is where I saw the news story about this virus that had been running through China. The first US case was confirmed and saddly it was in our home state. My first reaction was that of concern. I quickly talked myself out letting the worry overtake my thoughts. I convinced myself that everything would be fine. Afterall, we have seen viruses come into our country before and nothing too drastic came of it. This too shall pass.

Is This Really Happening?

Well here we are now, a year later. Never in a million years let alone a hundred would I have imagined living through what the last year brought, needless to say what it has taken away. Washington state was now ground zero in the US. With cases getting out of control gatherings were banned, which means no more live entertainment. Two weeks to slow the spread was the theme, but our gut told us that wasn’t our reality. So as this thing drug on, we began planning our reaction. First we had to figure out how to set our business up to be able to withstand what was ahead. We also had to prepare our home life fo the challenging days ahead. However we have worked too hard to just sit back and wait to see what was going to happen.

Now What

Eventually we got through all the logistics and to a manageable state. From there it became time to figure out how to cope with all that had been happening. In late spring I decided to look into the college degree I had often thought about. Suddenly I had the time to do it now. Furtermore, it certainly couldn’t hurt in the future, especially since I am taking markeing classes. I also made my fitness a priority. Being able to commit to a workout program and show up each and every day, soon this became a habit. This led to me working on other areas of personal development, reading, listening to uplifting podcasts and taking more time to reflect on positive thoughts. These are all things that I am so thankful to have incorporated into my life during these trying times.

Adventure Time

As summer moved on and fall started to approach, it was confirmed our work year was over. We decided it was time to get on with living life. There are plenty of adventures that we never seemed to make time for in what was once our normal life. We often had discussed taking a camping trip overland style, we now had a rooftop tent on our Jeep so off we went.

This led us to booking another trip that we always wanted to do, but never had time for, Wallowa Lake, Oregon.

We finally had the opportunity to get out into the wilderness for some camping, mountain biking and day hiking. Around the same time frame two of our adult children decided to purchase dirt toys. Since we live 30 minutes from the sand dunes, we began spending weekend days enjoying some good family time. These were all adventures we dreamed of often, but with most of our work in the summer it just never happened.

Hidden Blessings

I guess my point is that while there are so many negative things that 2020 and the pandemic has brought to our lives, many blessings have been presented as well. Being forced to slow down and enjoy the time with those most important to us has been a bright spot in such a dark year.

A Challenge for You

If you haven’t done so already, I challenge you to take a look back at 2020. The real challenge though is to only reflect on the bright spots. I know for some, these may be hard to find. However, I believe if you look deep enough chances are they are there. Then as a goal for 2021, regardless of what the rest of the year brings, do your best to make the most of whatever situation you find yourself in.