Gifts of a Pandemic? Really?

“I learned that hope is not something that you have. Hope is something that you create, with your actions. Hope is something you have to manifest into the world, and once one person has hope, it can be contagious. Other people start acting in a way that has more hope.”
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

                                                  Age Holds Wisdom


The other day I made a long list of things this pandemic--and our reactions to it--have taken from me. From us. Like I said, it was a long list. It inspired me, though, to look for gifts in these times. I confess, so far my list of losses is much longer than my list of gifts, but here's a start:
The Gifts

• Meetings on Zoom means I can see and hear friends across the country and friends near by together.
• Teachers I have hungered to learn from are now accessible from my studio on line.
• I have time to dig more deeply into the news and to check sources.
• The natural environment feels more a part of me.
• My household has become closer, with greater appreciation for each other.
• My garden is flourishing because I've actually paid attention to it.
• Preserving food for uncertain times is something my household is working on together.
• Landscaping I've wanted to do for years is getting done.

I count myself very lucky indeed that the people I live with are calm and good-natured.

    What gifts have you discovered in these times?

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