Now is The Time

Hi Ya'll,

I hope during this pandemic everyone is taking the precautions needed to stay safe and protected.

Since Covid19 began, the world has suffered detrimentally. In the past two weeks, at least 10 million Americans have lost their jobs. Seniors have lost their final days of high school and college grads are unable to walk the stage. Gathering places such as movie theaters, restaurants, coffee shops, gyms, parks, and churches have closed. We had found ourselves without the entertainment of sports games and places to go, ways to distract ourselves. Socially, we have all been quarantined from our friends, family, and significant others. However, the worst part is gut wrenching, over 50,000 people have lost their lives leaving many without their loved ones. Sadly, the number of sickness and death from the corona virus continues to grow everyday.

Not only has the world been in bad shape but many people have found themselves facing their anxiety and depression with no means of distraction or escape. While social distancing can be a good time for reflection, for many, it can be difficult because people may feel more trapped or isolated. It is so important that while we are obeying the social distancing laws that we continue to check in on those who suffer from these mental illnesses. We are fortunate to still have tools for communicating without seeing each other. If you know anyone who suffers from any mental illness, is going through adversity because of being laid off, or may know an elder who is isolated, I urge you to do what you can to help. Take a little time off from your Netflix and chill to send them an email, face time them, bake them something to leave on their door step with a little note letting them know positivity will come and they are not alone in this. Though we aren't able to be around each other right now, the little things help. If on a phone call with someone who may have anxiety, don't lose patience with them. This is a time that people may be unsure of what is to come and cortisol levels can be high. Just be a listener, and encourager, a friend from a distance. You could save a life.

For those of you that are stuck at home with people you love. Use this at a time to get projects done that you normally wouldn't have time for. Spend time with each other. Instead of getting annoyed that you are stuck together, use this opportunity to bond, relearn each other. Grow closer. Hopefully this is the only time in our lifetimes that we we ever see something like this happen again. I always say don't take for granted the people you love because you don't know when they will be gone. We are finding that to be hauntingly true during this crisis. So, now is the time to do so.

As annoying as it may be to not be able to get out right now, trust me, I would give anything for a run to get my daily buffalo chicken taquitos from QT right now. (If you haven't tried them, you really are missing out on life), how many times can we actually say that we have all the time in the world to spend with loved ones? Most of the time we are all to busy to take the time to actually talk to each other, hangout, and have real deep conversations. So utilize this time. In this way, through all the loss, the pain, and the uncertainty, we are fortunate to have time to reflect, face truth. Now is the time to reach out to those we have missed. To have the conversations we have been avoiding. To mend relationships. To take time to really decide what your future holds after this pandemic. It's time to have conversations with your children. Teach them new things. Love them unconditionally. Go for a walk with your pets, with your spouse. Now is the time to rekindle things we took for granted in our everyday busy lives.

This time will pass eventually. We will get back to the hustle and bustle of it all, falling back into our patterns of working, going out with friends, distracting ourselves from facing things we don't want to face. But that is for the future. The time, is now.

Lovingly,

Lucca