When A Virus Wipes Out Your Calendar – Embrace The Opportunity To Slow Down

March 17, 2020

One by one, events were being canceled. Practices for sports were put on hold and visits from family members rescheduled. Each day, I would cross out another thing on our family calendar hanging in the kitchen. The once full schedule now completely open.

Granted, nothing is really open, but it allows us to be present with what is. We are able to unleash our creativity, doing things to engage our minds. My kids are playing with each other more (and sometimes fighting a little more), but at least they have siblings.

When we sit down for “school”, I can be present with them and really get a chance to play an active role in their learning. While I find myself busier during the day, it’s a good kind of busy. There is no rushing around to be anywhere, but instead, I’m able to keep up on the dishes, laundry and making meals because that’s all there is to do.

I set the intention when we found out the kids were to have an extended spring break with school work that they weren’t going to sit around all day vegging out. We are going to stay active and do things together as a family.

This is something I try to do in the summer, but without the consistency of school work that HAS to be done, my schedule goes by the wayside. Keeping a routine has allowed me to embrace the quiet time that we have together as a family. Usually we are running here and there, making sure everyone is where they need to be for after school activities, but amidst the chaos ensuing around the world, I feel an odd sense of calm.

While this period of life will seem to drag on forever, it is a blip in the whole scheme of things. In a blink of an eye, we will be back to our normal activity. But what will we have learned from all of this? What are the truly important things in our lives? Is it really the end of the world if you are late for a practice? This time with our families especially when the kids are younger is truly precious. Good will come if you look for it in all the right places.

What are you doing with your time at home?