Find the Silver Lining

We are in the midst of rather difficult times, with indications that things are “out of our hands” and we must be patient as the medical industry develops an answer to this current medical pandemic — the Chinese coronavirus. Directions and guidelines are relayed to us daily and sometimes almost hourly that strongly suggest “social distancing” and limiting travel and instead remaining at home as the best thing we can do to avoid contracting this virus. Hopes are, that if we all play our part and respect what we are being told and comply with the suggestions, then there is a real opportunity to see this pandemic slow, level out, and begin to be under control.

There is no doubt that everyone is being affected — many suffering more than others, and yet, no matter what your individual circumstances might be — if you look hard enough and deeply enough, there just might be a “Silver Lining.” I do not mean to make light of any difficulties that many will be dealing with, but I do want to point out that even in the worst of negative situations, there are positives — if you make an effort to find them.

Just a few days ago, I had a great conversation with a young man in the San Francisco Bay area. Three years ago, he had started his own company in advertising and video production. Things had been going very well, with travel to production sights all over the world and projects completed and forecast with major corporations. The staff within his business had grown steadily. And then the coronavirus hit! Employees were flown home from numerous cancelled projects, and then directed to work from home, and now, the San Francisco Bay area was put on lockdown, further restricting their movements.

And yet, through the entire negative, this young man had decided to focus on the “Silver Lining.” Having done whatever he could regarding the business and now being stuck at home, he decided to work on himself. He stocked up on fresh vegetables and meat and began preparing healthy meals at home. He returned to a regimen of jogging and biking to be outside in the fresh air and focus his attention on becoming more fit. Instead of sitting around moping and worrying about things he had no control over, he took action to make himself a better and more fit person!

Working on your own physical fitness is just one of the many things you can do to occupy your time if you must remain at home these trying days. How many times have you said or heard someone else say that they wished at times that they had just a few more hours in the day, or another day in the week. And, if so, they could get so much done! Well, for many, time is now available. How will you use it?

Lowe’s Home Improvement has a list of projects on their website that you and your family could work on. If ever you have wanted to make and install a few bluebird houses or wood duck boxes, this would be a good use of your time and it would be something the whole family could work together on. Not sure how to do it? There are plenty of videos online showing how to make them. Time could be spent on the many habitat improvement projects you simply didn’t have the time for before you have now become housebound — and, again, it would be something to work on with the entire family.

And, then, there is the idea of a vegetable garden. Whether you only have room for a few patio plants such as tomatoes and peppers or if you are fortunate enough to be able to plant and maintain a full garden plot, it will produce months of fresh vegetables. Additionally, if you have an excess of produce, you could share some with friends or can some for later use. While you are canning, consider canning some of the frozen game meats like venison for long term storage for use later on.

Use your time wisely. Find the silver lining that you can focus on to help occupy your thoughts and time. Get outside and get some exercise in the great outdoors.