Physical Distancing versus Social Distancing

It’s funny, as I chatted with a friend this morning, we talked about “social distancing” and its effects on COVID-19, ourselves, our families and friends, our colleagues and the general population.

We are really being asked to physically distance, because there are many other ways we express ourselves socially these days. Social contact is not limited to physical situations. Social (and related) media play a huge part – especially for younger people – in the way we interact. Yet, as the human species, physical social interaction is so important to who we are and our mental well-being.

We are rediscovering the importance and strength of family and social groups. Physical restrictions brought upon us by the pandemic have made us acutely aware of the value of those family members and friends we can no longer hug or comfort. Those who live alone have become truly isolated from our basic human need for physical contact.

Thankfully, we are now able to socialise on a “virtual“ level. These unprecedented times have encouraged individual families – whose members through busy lives – had become almost strangers at times, to reconnect. Facebook groups and the like have helped bring us together in ways that were never before possible. I am able to share everyday news with my whole family at one time… Not quite, but almost like being around the table together.

I know that we will have to learn to live with COVID-19 and all the lifestyle complications and restrictions that come with it. I am thankful for today’s technology – that it allows us to connect socially and visually with those we care about – but I so very much look forward to the day when we can again embrace those people with our arms as well.

A Misty Morning Musing

Barely a breath of breeze. Barely a ripple on the water. As I gaze outward the only sounds that break the peaceful silence are the rhythmic dripping of dew from the rooftop onto the awning below and the haunting call of a water bird echoing through the passage. The rising sun is burning off the mist as it drifts lazily along the surface.

I feel my spirit lifting. All thoughts of what hasn’t been done, what needs to be done, what should be done, dissipate along with the mist.

A few days away reconnecting with old friends. Children building sandcastles on the beach, playing with total abandon. Finding some yabbies and baiting a hook in the hope of catching dinner for the family. Playing games together around the dinner table and easy conversation until late in the evening.

I was reminded of a recent “getaway“ we had at home, also catching up with old friends. An impromptu “sleepover”, children laughing, adults chatting, followed the next morning by a lazy breakfast.

We were lucky enough to leave our regular reality for this idyllic place, but I realised as I sat and sipped my morning coffee that although the change of location was a bonus, the “human ingredients” were what made the perfect recipe for a perfect getaway.

Teamwork

It is Monday morning, the beginning of a new working- and learning-from-home week. As I make our coffee and note the coincidental combination of coffee cups that came from the cupboard this morning, it dawned on me how important and far-reaching the concept of teamwork has become. Our lives, more than ever, are a series of interlinking teams, much like a chain driving a series of mechanisms that need to work together smoothly in order for the machine – for life – to move forward.

In our household, our lives before COVID-19 were much more independent of each other. My partner would leave early each morning to deal with the chaos of traffic enroute to the office, and I would deal with the chaos of getting the children to school and organising the household. Then between after-school activities and my partner arriving home later in the evening, we were all so tired and frazzled that we remained relatively independent of each other through until bedtime.

Now we often enjoy a morning cup of coffee together, and sometimes a snack during the children’s break times. My partner is helping our highschooler with her work, as I supervise our primary school boys. The children also have to be mindful of their father in his office, so as not to disturb his work either.

We have all become members of each other’s teams without even realising it, and we are all working together surprisingly well – the machine is running smoothly and our life is moving forward.

Unprecedented times call for unprecedented cooperation, and a deeper level of communication has been the key. I will miss this special team we’ve become when life gets back to “normal“.

Float Like a Butterfly

It feels like late morning, but it is not. The air is warm. There is barely a breeze. The sky is blue with only the barest scattering of fast-moving light clouds. My freshly brewed coffee tastes good.

I sit and just gaze. I look at the brilliant green in the garden, beautifully interrupted with a splash of colour here and there. Tiny insects and delicate butterflies hover just above. A perfect time and place to muse…

My mind is floating like the butterflies. The sights and scents of the garden lead it to far away places.

I am reminded of one of my favourite capital cities in the world – Darwin, Australia. A relaxed tropical city where the smell of fresh cut grass and frangipani flowers lift your spirits as you walk along the street.

Then, a brightly coloured bloom takes me back to springtime in Vancouver, Canada. A bustling busy city centre where nature shows up in the most surprising places. Flowers are bursting from every garden bed as the fountains melt from icicles into sunlit sparkling droplets. I remember walking along one of the busiest streets when a mother duck popped out of a fountain followed by a brood of very young clumsy ducklings. They crossed the sidewalk in front of me, then halted morning rush hour for a moment while she lead them to the refuge of a large garden bed across the street. Then just as quickly and without fuss, the cars moved along again… Springtime in downtown Vancouver.

Suddenly, I am brought back to the here and now as my faithful old dog and his younger, wildly enthusiastic offsider drop at my feet demanding attention and a tickle behind the ears.

Coffee finished – back to real life…

New Beginnings

For myself and so many of my friends, this was a week of new beginnings… New beginnings for our children – either a new school year, or for some, the brave and vast leap into high school.

These few days are a transition from adrenaline, excitement and nerves into a new routine, and now a touch of overwhelm is beginning to settle in.

I was advised this morning by a kind woman of previous experience to expect this next week to be one of meltdowns – overwhelm and sheer exhaustion will set in for those of our children who are beginning their life in high school.

As I sit and sip on my morning coffee, I muse over these first couple of days. The sky is looking as moody as I feel… Fluffy lighter clouds above, ominous grey and threatening storm clouds on the horizon, with surprising flashes of brilliant blue. If this is how I am feeling, I can only begin to imagine how my almost-teenage daughter must be feeling!

I am taking ten minutes to reflect, gather my emotions and keep them in check so that I may be the rock solid, dependable person my daughter will need for support as she begins this next chapter in the storybook of her life.

How is your sky looking today?

Something Is Different Today.

It is an early spring morning. The sky is an incredible azure … But something is not quite right. The breeze is light and cool… But something is not quite right. The birds are twittering, today in a different tone… Something is not quite right.

Treelopping services are like busy termites everywhere – The buzz of chainsaws chewing through wood interrupts the tune of nature. The air is so dry when I breathe that I can only begin to imagine what the parched earth must be enduring. A fine grainy dust coats every surface. I can even feel it like sandpaper underfoot as I walk through the house.

We began our day just like any other. The morning chaos was as it usually is. The flurry of hugs, kisses and rushed goodbyes at the school gate were as frantic and enthusiastic as always.

Now that I have a moment to enjoy my morning coffee, I glance up again to notice that the incredible azure of that clear sky is tinged at the horizon with a suspicious beige haze.

I inhale deeply, expecting the rich aroma of those beans to be the perfect accompaniment to my musings… But there is something acrid in the background. Something more than just dust. Something is not quite right…

I can smell smoke!

Make Time To Take Time.

Finally, a moment to muse – It has been a while.

School holidays, visitors coming and going, a family member recovering from an operation… Not much time amongst the chaos for musing.

Life is starting to settle back into a routine and it made me realise how long it has been since I made time to take time. Just that ten minutes here and there for my own mental R and R.

My ten minute brisk walk around the block (my friend and I call it our “twirl”) – I didn’t realise how much I missed it. Especially at this time of year when the air is fresh, and on a fine day such as this, the sunshine is warm on my back. It can be so invigorating!

Working for myself, helping out a friend in their business, and being a full-time parent can be exhilarating and exhausting all at once, so those couple of self imposed “time outs” can be crucial to well-being.

When the house is empty and quiet, it is so nice to throw open the windows and doors, inviting our beautiful garden in. To sit quietly, sip my warming brew, and indulge in one of my favourite ten minute pastimes… A morning coffee musing.

A Perfect Day For A Great Day

The lorikeets are twittering, the air is cool, the sun is warm and the sky is clear… what a perfect day to have a great day!

Anticipation is in the air… Anticipation of good things to come.

A family member will be having a long awaited medical procedure, our international “daughter” will be embarking on the adventure of a lifetime, beloved family members are arriving for a visit, the weekend is not too far away, a family gathering is planned, and the school holidays are just around the corner!

Every day we still have to deal with the mundane – necessary chores, a home and garden to maintain, meals to prepare, bills to be paid and work to be done – but the anticipation of all the positive in our lives makes life worth looking forward to.

Sometimes we have to convince ourselves to look forward with positivity. Sometimes things happen that rip the fragile tapestry of life to shreds… but it is that incredible unshakable human quality of hope that allows us to weave those threads together again into a more beautiful, rich and ever evolving tapestry. Our own unique work of art coloured with the light and dark, highs and lows of life experience.

As I sip my morning coffee, I muse about where these next few threads I weave will take me…

Be Prepared

I’ve learned a valuable lesson this week… I also know it has always been staring me in the face.

As we know, removing a family member from the mix changes the dynamic, and this week I have worked hard to keep our hectic morning rush to school as calm and light-hearted as possible. The results have been great – we’ve arrived on or before time, and the kids have enjoyed a chat with their friends or a game of handball before class.

This morning, one of the children asked me if we could do this every day? I laughed and said “that is entirely up to you!”

Just now, as I muse over my morning coffee, I realise and admit that it is also very much up to me. We are all a team and we all play a part. My part is the trigger for all that follows…

My advice to myself – don’t hit that snooze button, get up and get organised straight away. Make sure I get myself a coffee (or whatever it is that gets you going). Take a moment to draw breath and know where you are at.

I’ve always thought I needed to get the kids up earlier, and that they were always the ones dragging their feet as I madly tried to get them to school on time – but that’s not the case. I have been getting them up later than usual (but not too late) and we have made it to school early every day. The key – as all those amazing parents who are already organised well know – is being prepared.

Not necessarily physically prepared with lunches already done and breakfast laid out. As my friends who know me well enough, will chuckle to themselves because they know that I am never that well prepared, I am simply talking about being mentally prepared for the day. I am talking about being calm and light-hearted within.

With all that being said, let’s hope I can practise what I preach into next week, when I have all the team back together! Stay tuned…