It finally stopped raining and snowing and being blustery, so my wife and I took advantage and got outside. We walked three miles, mooed at the herd of cows in the field, and got the patio furniture out.
I came across our daffodils and tulips as I was moving about a snapped a couple of pictures. It struck me, as we are in the middle of a pandemic, these flowers don’t care. They only care the earth is warming and that it’s time to grow. Long after we’ve gone from this physical plane, these types of things will take place. The flowers will grow, birds will migrate, baby calves will be born because that’s what happens. We try so hard to control what is not controllable: nature.
I’ve dug into the virus a little bit and read about where it might have come from (both legitimate ideas and some conspiracy theory stuff (there’s weird stuff out there) ) and all have one thing in common: humans can’t control it, period.
So where ever you are tonight, hug those you love, do things that make you happy, because this bug isn’t going away for a while. Understand you can control what you can control. Some of us are stressed about this, but it’s true. I’d wish this away in a heartbeat, but my wife and I have had some great conversations about life and love and family. The dorky snaps from both daughters have made us laugh and my student comments have filled me up with goodness.
Now, you may be suffering from the bug, or have someone you know who is. You may be dealing with a lot more than anyone of us knows about, and this isn’t meant to downplay those issues. However, like a very wise sixth-grade teacher told me “You can control what you can control” and “One day at a time”.
Sleep well, readers, tomorrow is a new day.
#besafe
#takecareofeachother
The Life of a Conflicted Teacher 
March 21, 2020 at 9:35 pm
Yup….one day at a time…to live in the present moment.😇
March 21, 2020 at 9:38 pm
Very wise words indeed. My dad always says that to me…you can only control you. I wish we could stop the virus, but we just have to wait for nature to take its course, and try our best to stay out of its way. Thank you for sharing your refreshing perspective.
March 21, 2020 at 9:46 pm
Definitely good words to hear. We aren’t in control of this situation and we might as well get used to it. But, we can stop to see the spring sights, which you beautifully showed us here. I know you are so excited for spring there. BTW, we got our patio furniture out tonight too.
March 21, 2020 at 9:48 pm
Nice post, Darin! We got outside too. It is a good time to reflect on all of our blessings and as you so rightly point out, this includes nature’s gifts…..you are so wise that these things will all go on without us. Humans cannot control much – but we can be grateful for what we have. Thanks for the optimistic reassurance!
March 21, 2020 at 10:07 pm
Today I kept the news off and spent more of my time doing what I love to do. A one hour workout, reading, and playing some music. Had it been warmer out I would have read outside on the porch. But tonight I’m choosing to be reflective and thankful and trying to keep the thoughts of everything else on the back burner. Those tulips are a sign of hope if you ask me.
March 21, 2020 at 10:35 pm
Good advice in your writing, and good reminders for us all! My favorite line: “The flowers will grow, birds will migrate, baby calves will be born because that’s what happens.” Thanks for sharing your thoughts. 🙂 ~JudyK
March 21, 2020 at 11:24 pm
I love the positive post today. I think a lot of us were able to get outside and get out the patio furniture and appreciate those signs of spring. I know that the daffodils and tulips and hyacinths and budding leaves here are reminders that things get better, and they help me remember that anxiety and panic and quarantine and disease are temporary, and life finds a way to triumph. We will get through this!
March 22, 2020 at 5:00 am
Thanks for the encouragement. I think for me the key become patience and being purposeful. This is a long haul so everything doesn’t have to accomplished today. Also this is a great time to learn, to attempt, to reach out. Stay well.
March 22, 2020 at 2:55 pm
>This is a long haul so everything doesn’t have to accomplished today.<
Exactly. We are going to be homebound for a while. Breathe. Find your center. And move forward! Stay healthy, Susan. 🙂
March 22, 2020 at 7:11 am
This was uplifting. Love that y’all got to get out for a nice walk and commune with nature. Have you ever read ‘Wump World’? Nature will clean up this planet lickety split if ‘we’ could let it. “One day at a time” is a perfect mantra! Thank you! 🙂
March 22, 2020 at 2:54 pm
One day at a time indeed! 🙂
March 22, 2020 at 11:48 am
Thanks for sharing. Indeed, much of this is beyond our control. And the daffodils outside my window are braving the cold air and forecast of light snow. After one particularly trying year with some 3rd graders, my very wise administrator told me (because I was a new teacher and thought I could and should save the world) “You didn’t create all the problems in this world, you can’t solve them all. One bite at a time.”
March 22, 2020 at 9:22 pm
Agreed. Praying for those suffering and taking time with our families important.
March 23, 2020 at 11:09 pm
And that’s just it. It’s not about schooling right now. It’s about the human connections we make. My hope that families are spending time to do just that, make memories! 🙂