It’s Tuesday, close to noon. Awoke to overcast skies and a light mist. The weather along with the worldwide changes going on added a gloomy feel to the day. After quiet time I headed to Cups coffee to use the internet and enjoy a mocha but that didn’t happen. They fall under the statewide ban on the closing of restaurants and bars that went into affect yesterday. Because they are being impacted financially with our situation I bought a mocha and headed home. I will read a new book I received yesterday, journal a little, have more prayer and mediation time, listen to the silence and write this post. It’s a strange time.
The world looks strange to me this morning, almost unrecognizable and it is. However, I’m aware there is something different within me. I am seeing and feeling the world differently. I have been a solitary individual for many years now, choosing to spend a lot of time alone. However, knowing I can’t just go to a coffee shop and sit to read/journal/converse with the baristas, friends and a stranger is now not my choice. My feathers are ruffled. I don’t always deal well with the unexpected bump in the road or a pothole that wasn’t there yesterday. Daily changes in life require acceptance of the present moment and a shift in thinking and living. My task in life is to let go of what I think I think I need life to look like and live more solidly in the present moment. It’s a strange time.
6 Comments
Tom Dills
Beautiful photo, Monte!
We just had a similar ban go into effect here and it’s strange. I don’t see quite the impact as you because I don’t depend on a coffee shop as part of my morning. But I want the decision to be mine, whatever I want to do! I do have a place where I buy my beans, and I haven’t checked yet to see if they also closed. They likely did.
I do agree that the commotion surrounding the virus seems overblown, but would probably feel differently if I was dealing with it. And it sounds like the next few weeks will tell the tale.
Monte Stevens
Thanks, Tom. I hope the bean situation does not go south on you. I am in the risk category, heart surgery and age, so I’m doing what I can do. In some ways the changes remind me of my early childhood.
Tom Dills
After I saw your reply I realized that I had sort of bypassed the whole point of your post! Yes – we’re both in that “over 60” category which adds to our risk. Add in a few other issues and I can see where you would be feeling a little more concerned about the whole thing. I certainly didn’t intend to minimize your concerns, especially in light of something like coffee beans, and wanted to try and “set the record straight” as it were! 🙂
Looks like winter hasn’t given up on you yet – hopefully you’ve got plenty of soup-making ingredients on hand! I think we’re going to see a lot of rain, but hopefully nothing we have to scrape or shovel! 😉
Monte Stevens
Will put on a crockpot of chicken and sausage chili in the morning. Bring on the moisture!
Cedric
I’ve been practicing “social distancing” much of my adult life so I can’t say I feel overly impacted by this but I too feel the strangeness of the times. This is going to impact a lot of people and not just with the risk of being sick, but financially and economically as well. And speaking of strange times, I find it a little strange how unprepared the world seems to be, in terms of mental preparedness I mean. In Australia there is so much denial still going on. So much indignation at shows being cancelled, self-isolation directives being given, all borne of ignorance it would seem. The reality is that we still don’t know how many will get sick or how many will die. We cannot compare it to anything else because it is still in progress. I don’t see this situation as overblown but I do think we should not underestimate it. And sadly, when this blows over, and we are left with one more virus to contend with and vaccinate ourselves against, we will most likely forget that this ever happened and we will react just the same the next time it happens. And the next time, the virus could have the covertness of COVID-19 and the deadliness of MERS. A frightening thought.
In any case, I do believe that you are in a good head space to cope with this Monte. Self-reflection brings an awareness that allows us to deal with those feelings that arise within us and I don’t know of too many people as sincere and as dedicated in their self-reflection as you mate. Stay safe.
Monte Stevens
My friend, Kimberly, prefers to call it physical distancing. I believe I’m in a good head space, also. Too, often we react to new situations rather than think and talk them through. I took the bus to campus this morning because I figured no one would be using the bus and I was right. The Lory Student Center had areas taped off so that students dont congregate. Very few students since they are on Spring break. I think many feel the strangeness of the times.