Here we go again

It’s been threatening for some time so it’s no real surprise that lockdown has landed upon us again.  Whilst this is no longer new territory for us, this time around the days are shorter and the temperature is lower.

There is much in the media as to whether the ‘cure’ is now worse than the virus.  Certainly there will be a cost that reaches far beyond the realms of the economy.  I certainly wouldn’t want to be sitting with the level of responsibility that rests upon the powers that be.  Whatever they do or do not do, there will be cost and criticism.

Earlier today I was reflecting upon how different things were this time last year.  I realised that last November I was on one of my many jaunts to the coast.  It seems almost surreal that back then we still had the freedom to be out and about without a second thought let alone a stash of face masks.  How wonderfully oblivious I was back then as to what lay ahead.

Anyway, it was back then that I began planning a house move.  Now a year later, I have actually moved so at least I can spend my lockdown sorting out the new pad.

On the whole I consider myself to be incredibly fortunate but I am only too aware that Lockdown means decidedly different things for different people. Yet for all there is loss and for all there will be all manner of feelings and thoughts in response.

Last lockdown saw a positive surge of ‘let’s learn new things’.  This time there is more of a collective resignation.

When such a life altering situation goes on (and on and on), it demands a whole different level of resilience.  This is not only long haul stuff but it is a time for which none of us have an end date.  That sort of uncertainty can evoke all manner of emotions, none of which are usually very welcome.  All of which will cause all sorts of other issues if we attempt to deny them.

I’m not even sure right now how I feel about this latest lockdown.  I mean, I feel ok right now particularly with the new house to sort and enjoy.  But the last lockdown taught me that what I feel can vary vastly from one week to the next.  And so I will take it one week and when necessary one day at a time.

The theme that I have noticed throughout this week as we enter this second lockdown has been one of being willing to still notice the moments to be thankful for.  It sounds super cheddary but it is true.  And besides, I like cheddar.

To clarify, I am not talking about positivity overload where we pour a sugar coating over anything we don’t like the look of.  It is not remotely helpful to deny, minimise or belittle the reality of the situation.  It sucks.  And it’s healthy to be honest about that.

But, just as in any other challenge of life, we have to decide whether we are willing to continue to seek and to see those gift type moments.  How easy it is when things are hard, to simply stop seeing the good stuff.  Yet both are real and present.  Now as always.  And our ability to recognise and embrace such moments can make a monumental difference to our ability to endure.

In the past week or so with all the rain and clouds, I’ve seen more rainbows than I probably had in the previous six months.  Not only do they cause me to burst in to a spontaneous gasp/smile every time, but they remind me not only that God is still God but that no matter how grey or miserable the weather or the life conditions, there are always moments that break through with light and colour.

How easy it can become not to see them.  

Yet it is these moments of magic amidst the misery that see us through.  

It may not be amongst nature although some of the tree’s offerings of colours are nothing short of sensational right now.  But it could be a satisfying conversation (socially distanced or on line obvs) or an unexpected moment of shared laughter or anything at all that simply warms the heart or even the stomach!  And I think we all need as much of that stuff as we can get right now!