As I move through social media postings, I see so many posts that talk about the bad things that are happening during this pandemic. Every morning, news articles are posted that give details about how many new cases have been reported or, sadly, the number of new deaths related to the virus. There are stories of families struggling to make ends meet due to loss of work because some bug has spread across the globe. Children are stuck at home unable to be with their friends, teachers, classmates. Times are anything but “normal” and it looks like it will be a while before anything close to what we knew will return.
With all this happening, tonight’s writing might seem a little strange. For tonight is about realizing that one can find things to be joyful about during this time. I think I came to this understanding as we have worked with our daughter. Since she is a twelve-year-old, we are constantly keeping a check on her and where she is mentally during this time. We worry about how this could affect her now and going forward. She sees the stories, she hears the news, she has friends whose parents are no longer working, and she has relatives that she worries about. The events of this time would make it easy for anyone, young or old, to fall into despair and lose hope.
However, it is okay to find hope and joy during this time. It is okay to share happiness. It is alright to continue to live during this time (even while stuck at home). I think the difference is that during this time, joy is found in smaller, simpler things. We need not go anywhere to find the good in the world. It is all around.
Sometimes the hardest part is not in finding the good and joy, but in giving yourself permission to allow have those feelings. During conversations, I have heard colleagues speak of how something good was happening, but they felt bad to be excited since so many others were going through such tough times. But it is okay. One needs to look for those moments for those moments are what will get us through this time. It will be the times of smile and laughter that we will want to remember when we look back.
The best part of wanting to find joy and happiness is that you do not have to look far. While I often want to turn off the news, I will give the media credit in their attempts to balance out the program with good things that people are doing for each other. Almost every night, there is a video of a child receiving a parade of friends, family, fire trucks, or police to wish them a happy birthday. Today, our daughter’s principal received his own parade as a thank you from the staff for guiding them through this time.
There are stories of people bringing food to families that need some help. Children are donating allowances so that masks can be purchased for hospitals. Musicians are streaming live every night to bring their music into homes. People are stepping up all over the country to help one another. This list is long and it has yet to even mention those people who are working long, hard hours to provide medical care, food, fuel, power, and other essential services. While there is much sadness around us, there is just as much joy as well.
It is okay to be happy. It is okay to enjoy being at home with your family. It is okay to find the beauty in the nature that is growing around us (well maybe not the peacocks screeching at 4 a.m.). It is okay to slow down and be aware of the silence and lack of constant go-go-go. Give yourself permission to find the good, find the happiness, find the joy.
If you cannot – then reach out. Call that friend, family member, coworker. If you struggle to find the happiness, please do not go it alone. It is okay to ask for help. This time is showing us just how much we can take care of each other. So give yourself permission that if you cannot find happiness, you can find someone to be with you until you can.