When This Is Over, May We Never Again Take for Granted…

These past few weeks have been more than chaotic for the people in our county and the people of the world. As the Coronavirus outbreak continues, it seems as though every waking moment we are waiting to hear the latest news concerning it. Panic and uncertainty are added to our daily emotions as we regularly check social media and other media outlets to receive updates. Millions are rushing into stores, overloading their carts, and fighting others for supplies. I do not understand. As a human, it breaks my heart to see the pain people in this world are going through. There are those scared to leave their homes and those scared to go into stores to attempt to find the things they need. Many of us are anxious to go into large crowds of people or be around those other than our family. I’ve seen pictures of older men and women in grocery stores standing in front of empty bread isles. You are taking more than you need, and that is greedy. We are forgetting to be mindful and kind to people other than ourselves. Please do not take this time to hoard supplies that another person does not have. Please, if you are sick, be mindful of others and do not go out as much as you would normally. Be mindful of those who this may not be affecting physically, but mentally and emotionally. Many in this world are losing their jobs, many are losing their loved ones to the virus, and many are losing their last opportunity to do something they love, so please be mindful.  

As a senior at the University of Florida, I’ve wanted nothing more than to walk across the stage on graduation day after 5 years of hard work, frustration, laughter, and tears. Being told that commencement is canceled is heartbreaking. Switching to online courses in the middle of your semester is confusing. Not having the opportunity or chance to say goodbye to your friends and colleagues that you’ll no longer see again is painful. Many athletes won’t have the chance to play or compete in their last games as a senior. I watched my professor cry the other day as she is worried her loved ones could catch the virus. My roommate this semester is from Italy and every day anxiously calls her family to check up on them. Gratefully and thankfully, UF has made a new date for commencement, in the middle of summer. A rainbow in the middle of a rainstorm. 

As a 22-year-old, it baffles me that my generation is part of the population that are not taking social distancing seriously. It frustrates me that there are those out there that don’t care if they catch the virus. Do you not understand that you are putting other people’s lives in danger? That you could be the cause of someone’s loved one catching the virus? Just because you might survive it, does not mean another will. Those with compromised immune systems and other health conditions are more susceptible to contracting the virus. How can one be so selfish to only think of themselves and how this is ruining their spring break? I was appalled at how many students headed straight to the bars and hosted large parties once classes went online. Do you not understand you’re helping spread the disease? You may not show symptoms at all, but you can still contract it and carry it to another who will show severe symptoms or worse. There are millions of other people in this world, other than you, that are fearful of this virus, so please do not be egocentric.  

Many are restless at the thought of quarantining. Use this time to spend with yourself; meditate in your room, take that long nap that you’ve been daydreaming about every day while at the office. Open your windows and breathe in the warm spring air. Dig in your drawer and read one of your favorite books again. Put on your favorite song to dance to and sing to the top of your lungs. Take this time to listen to the Earth and to your heart more deeply. Get to know yourself better by asking deep questions and write your answers in a journal. Take this time to finally organize something in your house that you’ve been putting off. Since I’ve been home each day, I’ve spent at least 30 minutes organizing something, such as my closet, my room, and our pantry. Get those picture albums out of your closet and reminisce on the good days. Get creative by doing crafts with your children. Go on Pinterest and look up new recipes to cook. Snuggle on the couch with your pet and watch a good movie. Go outside and get your hands dirty by planting beautiful flowers and trees. Write a letter to someone you love so they can keep it forever. Call your friend you’ve been thinking about for a while and see how they’re doing. Reach out to your neighbor and let them know you’re thinking about them. Life is too short to let the everyday hustle and bustle take over our lives to the point that we forget to stop and cherish the little things. You will begin to think differently, you will begin to live life differently, and your anxious mind and heart will begin to heal itself.  

One of my favorite quotes at the moment is from the author Laura Kelly Fanucci, and I wanted to share her beautiful, captivating words with you. 

“When this is over, may we never again take for granted a handshake with a stranger, full shelves at the store, conversations with neighbors, a crowded theatre, Friday night out, the taste of communion, a routine checkup, the school rush each morning, coffee with a friend, the stadium roaring, each deep breath, a boring Tuesday, life itself. When this ends, may we find that we have become more like the people we wanted to be, we were called to be, we hoped to be, and may we stay that way—better for each other because of the worst.” 

I’ve added a few photos from my time social distancing in my favorite place. Please take care of yourself and be mindful of others. Cover your cough or sneeze and wash your hands. Clean surfaces around you and your phone as often as possible. Let’s bring kindness back into the world again. For ourselves, for others, and for the Earth.