It’s Time to Decide

As the world returns to its pre-Covid state, I think it’s important for us to take a minute to decide what we actually WANT to go back to BEFORE we fall so quickly back into our old “habits.” 

Will we host more celebrations in our homes now? Will we attend more (big) events? Will we have people over more? Will we sign our kids up for sports again? Will we eat out more? What will “extra-curricular” look like for our family going forward? Will we head back to (or start attending) church? Will we get together with friends more? Will we travel more? Will we plan more? Will we create more?

Or will we maintain our new, slower, quieter normal? Will we continue to just stay close home? Will we hold onto your kids a little tighter? Keep them at home just a little more? Will we continue to carve out more family time? Will we keep our “circle” small? Will we preserve time for our new hobbies? Will we read more?

I trust there are mixed feelings at this time for many of us … on one hand, we’re excited for new (old) liberties, but on the other hand, we’re concerned about new (old) obligations … 

Today, I encourage you to celebrate the gifts of this pandemic (I trust there are many). I also encourage you to acknowledge the challenges of living amidst a pandemic. The gifts and the challenges vary significantly for us all I am sure. As we create this list, it gives us the opportunity to consider carefully what we want going forward … if we don’t take the time to do this soon, it won’t be long, and someone else will be deciding for us. Before we know it, we’ll be committing to things we’re not even really interested in anymore, because of  the pressures around us or because that’s just the way it’s always been … 

Consider this important quote by Iain S. Thomas, “Every day, the world will drag you by the hand, yelling, “This is important! And this is important! And this is important! You need to worry about this! And this! And this!” And each day, it’s up to you to yank your hand back, put it on your heart and say, “No. This is what’s important.” 

Remember, YOU get to decide what’s right for YOU … what’s right for your family! 

Stay strong with your convictions … take some time today to decide what you want and go after it (or don’t) … permission to “opt out” or “opt in” has been granted!