People have been writing, “I bet you have plenty of time to write.” My answer is, “Yes I do.” What I don’t say is that the virus has become such a distraction it is difficult to write. I talked to one of my muses who is a poet. She tells me that her poetry class which she now does virtually, does nothing but talk about the virus rather than their writing. I reached out to my friend Anne who is a world famous poet, she says the same thing. She can’t get any work done. Over and over again I talk to writers who should be using this time to write, who instead are consumed by this more than a hiccup in everyone’s lives.
I thought about my writing problem a lot recently, and was reminded of one of Suzy’s favorites — “After a while a crisis becomes the new normal.” I realized that I had to let all my anxiety go and adjust to the new normal. I was going to the gym twice a week to work with a trainer, but that’s not going to happen right now. So I had to put on the calendar “work out with Webb.” and do the exercises my trainer gave me. My friend Stan and I used to walk three times a week. Now we walk every morning unless it rains. I adjusted my meditation and writing the Pew which always brings me peace. And finally I adjusted my writing schedule to Suzy being home most of the day, and my worry about my friends. I’m still fine tuning this latter, but I am back to making real progress.
In Suzy’s words, I am adjusting to the “new normal.” I quit worrying about when it will end, it will. I quit worrying about would I miss some summer vacation plans, I will, but there will be more vacations. And most importantly I’ve factored into my day a little more time to be grateful for Suzy riding this virus out with me. I am very lucky not to be alone during this time, and to be grateful that all my family is healthy and each adjusting to their “new normal.” I try to pack my day with gratefuls, and fewer complaints.
Life takes a little “getting used to,” so does change, but there are worse things.
This is very powerful. Thank you. ~JD
Thank You!