Right now, when so much of our world is at a standstill, there is time for reflection.  So often in life, comments are made “if I only had time to _____” or “I wish I wasn’t so busy because I would like to ____”.  Now is the time to fill in the blank.  If we are honest with ourselves, we have uttered BOTH these sentences in many variations either silently, or out loud to our family, friends, and coworkers.

A few weeks or months from now, when we are able to look back at the COVID-19 pandemic, will we simply return to our previous way of life?  Will we just buy a T-shirt that says “I Survived the COVID-19 Pandemic of 2020”?  Or will we be able to say “I’m glad I took the time to ____?”

Our “to do” list can become an “opportunity” list.  Our leaders, the stewards of our cities, states and countries, are reorienting our daily lives to try and SAVE our lives.   What we do with this “extra time” is up to us!

For many, these days are spent isolating so as not to spread the virus they have contracted.  Some families are in their homes while loved ones struggle to fight their own battles with the virus, alone in hospital rooms and ICU’s. Our hospital personnel, grocery store employees, truck drivers, restaurant workers, delivery drivers, gas station operators, pharmacists, postal and sanitation workers are all doing their part to minimize the gaps we are ALL feeling.

But, while all of these vital workers risk their health to keep Us going, what will we have to show for our time in isolation?  Certainly spring cleaning comes to mind, with all the paper goods and disinfectants missing from store shelves.  But if it’s just us, at home, not getting exposed to others, surely we don’t need to keep cleaning what’s already clean!

Will we take the time to do some things personally that will answer the question “I which I had time to ___”?  Will we allow ourselves the time to read, draw, organize, sew, scrapbook, paint, garden, craft, build, cook, write, or solve puzzles?  What about going through an old address book, yearbook, church or neighborhood directory, and calling friends from long ago just to catch up?  One never knows how much an “out of the blue” phone call can mean to someone!  Letter writing and sending greeting cards has dropped out of favor with social media, texts and emails filling in as a substitute.  But, in some desk drawer, are there unsent occasion cards that could be mailed to friends and family just because we now have the time to do so?

The neighborhood streets have been more active than ever in this time of social distancing!  And it is not vehicle traffic.  Children on scooters being followed by parents on foot or bikes, couples walking dogs, solo joggers and family walkers are keeping social distances while waving and chatting with others doing yardwork or sitting on their porches.  It’s funny that the scooters, trikes and bikes were stuffed in the garage before the COVID pandemic, but now they are out being used because families have more time. We can reach out without touching.

The reality is, we don’t have any more time than we had before.  Time is what it is. Finite.  It is simply what we choose to do with the time in any given period of an hour or day that is carved into our memories.

When you look back on this period of time, will you be able to say “I am so glad that I had the time to____?” The answer will become part of Your memories forever.  How will you fill in the blank?