Living in a pandemic time.

In the last eight weeks  the world has changed drastically, and we’ve changed too. People are suffering; many feel like they are going to lose it, but I’ve learned that when you start to appreciate all things, the good and the bad, you stop obsessing on this feeling. You trade your expectations for appreciation, and your whole life changes at that moment. The suffering ends.

 

So as I stand in the dried-up winter grass, I’m realizing my new-found appreciation of so many little things like the St. Augustine hardy summer lawn beginning to peek through. I’m also reflecting on the big things like the love of my friends and family. Even though it feels like the world has stopped, there are still trials, accidents and mistakes to overcome. The only difference is that as I overcome them, I have the space now to recognize the gust of wind, a smile in a stranger’s eyes and the laughs echoing as I walk down the sidewalk. Yes, we’ve lost, but we have also gained so much.

 

Although I don’t know what day of the week it is anymore, I know I’ve used my time wisely. I’ve invested in my home, my mind and in nature. My days are still full and productive but in all the right ways. After a thorough cleaning of all the baseboards, corners and windows, I polished all the silver and chrome. I ironed while attending Zoom meetings and took courses on Workflow. I've planted seeds and vegetables and watched the artsy markings on the back of a lady bug crawling on a mint leaf.

 

While I washed my car in the driveway, I met people that live down the street and had great conversations with masks on and standing six feet apart. It reminds me that although it feels different, it’s still great to have a conversation with someone new. I really miss it.

 

Each day, I become more appreciative and so impressed with our world, from the selflessness shown by our essential workers to the beautiful color combinations nature creates. The flowers blooming is magical, and it’s even inspired me to design a swimsuit collection based on the colors.  Moreover, the air is so clean from the lack of cars on the road that the birds fill the air with song.

 

So now more than ever, I’m grateful to create and give back to a universe that said to us ‘let’s reset and refresh.’ And that is just what I intend to continue doing.

 

“In an age of acceleration, nothing can be more exhilarating than going slow. And in an age of distraction, nothing is so luxurious as paying attention. And in an age of constant movement, nothing is so urgent as sitting still.” -Pico Iyer

 

Swimspiration for Body and Soul,

Imel


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