Adaptability and Resilience

As a mom, I have often proclaimed that I have two parenting goals for my daughters: to instill teach transfer foster, both adaptability and resiliency.

For with these two features characteristics traits, one may survive thrive live through and weather all kinds of storms.

During this period of pandemic never experienced change difference challenges, our greatest best coping mechanism is adaptability.

Learning to carve out new routines connections ways of being. Ways of living and being healthy.

So much is stated shared promoted about binge watching sitting cocooning in front of a screen. Basking in being entertained by false narratives happy endings utterly strange odd ways of being.

None of this excites me. In fact, it absolutely depresses.

Feeling stuck at home, I do not wish to be also stuck inside my mind my body my being.

Finding ways to be happy and healthy. They do not come easily. We are guided by social media to be drunk throughout the day while passively existing.

I have walked countless miles and jogged some as well. We are setting up an area to work on strength training and Ella’s online dance classes. We yearn to be active moving. In both body and mind.

And spirit.

Life is not the same but we can be more like ourselves than not. With adaptations. With shifts in our thinking and doing.

My favorite loop to run walk. Has become treacherous. Filled overwhelmed with people seeking refuge from their couches.

I get it. But I no longer feel comfortable with cyclists whizzing inches past me. With people who have no concept of six feet let alone six inches.

(There was an older woman walking along the trail yesterday carrying a stick which she held close to her chest so that it stuck out about three feet on each side. Which forced cyclists joggers passersby to keep at least that distance. I thought it most admirable innovative and remarked: I like the stick. She smiled at her own wisdom nuanced approach. I want to be like her when I grow up. No concern with announcing proclaiming her personal space so that others might be respectful cognizant while she attempts to be stay healthy. I might look for a stick this week)

So I will start cruising through side streets and neighborhoods with wider stretches to allow separation. I will look for alternate solutions. Not my favorite parks and vistas. As they are no longer comforting. But perhaps I will find beauty among parked cars and potholes.

(I will work on my stability in a concrete obstacle course)

I have learned to do most of my cleaning on the weekends so as not to interrupt the multiple online courses and zoom meetings occurring in three separate areas of the house. I have adjusted to the fact that I must stay on top of things or they become too overwhelming to address and I do not need to add to any more emotional burdens. I have asked others to do their share. I will try to control whatever I can.

I will work on hydrating. More water. I will try to maintain patience in ordering curbside groceries or online delivery so that I might one day have a salad again. Kale or spinach would be lovely. I may resort to setting my alarm at midnight in hopes that some potential slot might open up.

I will try to do one positive thing for myself each day. Even when I truly do not feel like it. Even when tired or anxious. Because ultimately it is these small things we do which allow us to adapt and find solace and adjust positively to the newness.

My range of friends has had an entire catalog of reactions responses iterations in the shifting winds of germs. I am inspired by those who accomplish herculean tasks or simply clean out a closet. I am undone by those who suffer when I cannot provide comfort with a hug but instead must gather the words or phrases to somehow convey my sympathy which just feels off when a hug is much more in order.

I am uplifted by those who have the most difficult of discussions life lessons coming to Jesus about the reality of the situation of people they believed to be friends of people supposed to be leaders of falsehoods and sadness and fear and the fragility of life, with their most precious adored loved children. These moments. This. All of this. Your staunch determination to do what is right. Not what is popular. Your empathy for those who are immunocompromised elderly fragile. Your kindness and love and support of the global community. Your morality and ethics when they most matter.

Perhaps we the world needed to take this pause so that we could be sure these lessons. These most powerful of words and thoughts and actions. Are not lost. But passed on. With an incredible intensity of spirit. To be known sown into the blood of the next generation. To not be forgotten.

These sacrifices seem so small insignificant. Compared to the losses of life and happiness during world wars. During famine. During the Holocaust. During mass annihilation obliteration of peoples around the globe.

This pandemic does not recognize borders or race or religion or gender. It is wholly equalizing. Except when it’s not. In testing and treatment and access to supplies.

But I wonder how mortality rates might differ across cultures. Compare between strategies of following medical guidelines. Or political and economic. Of those who think their individuality supersedes the health of their communities.

Look to distinctions in adaptations. Flexibility. Relatability.

Resilience. For those who are capable able to adapt. To some new normal. To continue to live and thrive in body mind and spirit. To maintain promote sustain their own version of personal mental health.

To make continue grow connections through technology. To adjust adapt their daily lives to allow for new guidelines goals aspirations. To find their structure schedule. To define goals for this. Yes, goals.

To show demonstrate model resiliency. In the face of fear. Unknown.

This is one of those points in time. In life. When we each must decide define defend who we are. When we need to create establish realize our personal vision mission objectives.

Adaptability and Resilience. Two most amazing beautiful necessary strong empowering qualities. They should be superheroes.

Wear your cape proudly all my friends who strive struggle surpass succeed each and every day. Simply by being. You. In an updated version 2.0 which allows for increased potential and memory storage. In both adaptability and resilience. And don’t forget to carry a big stick.

(Photo of Honey in a Super Woman costume en route to an adoption event October 28, 2016. She had come to us 4 days prior and at this time, I still considered her a foster dog. She is a beautiful example of both adaptability and resilience)