The Blessing(s) in Coronavirus Disguise

Over the last few months as the Wuhan Coronavirus has spread throughout the world, there has been death and suffering.  I won't discount that.  Chances are that you are affected in some way by the virus.  Whether getting it yourself, knowing someone who h​as, or even knowing someone who passed from it, it has impacted your life - and mine as well.

I have written about suffering before and how it is frankly, a part of life.  A big part of it.  And I have noted that because of this, if we want to reach new levels in our lives and our full potential, then we must build a positive relationship with it.

In this piece, I want to talk about the other side of things.  The blessings I see that have happened in my life and for all of us during the virus.

I have often noted that the pace of life over the last 10+ years has gotten so instant that it seems like we can never catch up nor keep track of things day to day.  Outside of the virus, can you remember the top news headlines from a week ago?  What about a day or two ago?  Why do we stop the microwave with 2 seconds left?  We really can't wait 2 seconds?  

The speed of life has increased dramatically and one major blessing that I see from the virus is that it has slowed life back down some.  It has allowed us to find time for something we rarely had a chance to do prior - have downtime and relax (at least I can say for me).  

It has also brought us closer to family and friends and helped us to realize what is most important in our lives.  It has brought us closer to God and my creator.  It has reminded us of what truly matters.  

Additionally, the virus has given us the time to reconnect with ourselves.  I understand this is very uncomfortable for some.  In fact, I surmise that one of the biggest reasons for the fast paced, go-go lives that we have had prior, was due in some part from the fear of truly just being alone with ourselves and who we are.  What would see about ourselves that we don't want to deal with?  What would we have to confront?  And once we realized it and knew what was needed to change or become better - would we have the strength or will to do it?  The hardest thing we will ever do is confront ourselves and work on who we are and want to become.  It is the hardest work we can do, but the work that makes the most difference in our lives.  

The virus has also brought out our caring for our fellow man and helped us realize the principles that we take for granted in our lives so we can better cherish them.  For example, not having the freedom to get a haircut or even go to a park with your child when we want, has shown us how important it is to understand the basic rights and freedoms we have and how important they are when taken away or suspended.  

It has also given us a greater appreciation for our work.  As of this writing, there are almost 40 million people now unemployed in the U.S. - about 25% of the workforce.  And to make matters worse, it was due to no fault of their own.  And then you have the businesses that employed them, especially small businesses, fighting every day just to be there when "they are finally allowed to open."  I can say, now more than ever, I truly cherish the work I get to do and for others.  I cherish the opportunity I have every day and I pray that things will come back for those who are affected.  And I think we will all see our work in a new light.  I think we will find more joy in it, respect it more, and give even better effort.  We were not made to sit idle.  We are explorers.  We are dreamers.  We are meant to create, build, and solve problems.  We will do that even better as we come back to work.

Lastly, the virus has made me believe even more in the power of the entrepreneur and the entrepreneur inside all of us.  Entrepreneurship - that explorer looking to make our dreams a reality, exists in all of us.  And I think we will see more people realize that and tap into this part of themselves, their "inner misfit."  

The Wuhan Coronavirus has brought suffering, but it has also brought blessings in disguise.  I will not deny the suffering, but I will choose to focus on the blessings.  I hope you will find a way to do so too.