A dear friend sent me an article from Medium.Com by Julio Vincent Gambuto, “Prepare for the Ultimate Gaslighting” where he states this time (during the COVID-19 pandemic),” It’s the greatest gift ever unwrapped. Not the deaths, not the virus, but The Great Pause. It is, in a word, profound.”
Wow, “The Great Pause.” What a time in my life. It is a time that has allowed me to stop, think and reflect: Where have I been going with my harried live? What is important? What makes me happy? What brings me joy? Where is the passion and the spark in my life? This time has allowed me to reconnect with my core being; see my values and worth. The relationship with my family has been redefined. I have connected with friends, colleagues and family that I have not spoken to in years. I have attended more meetings, discussion groups and functions around the world on Zoom in a week, than I may have attended in my lifetime.
I was reminded of a line in the song,”22,000 days” by the Moody Blues, “22,000 days, 22,000 days it’s not a lot; It’s all you got 22,000 days …” Today is truly the first day of the rest of my life. Where will I go after this Great Pause? What legacy will I leave? What transformation will I go through as I emerge from this time?
I started a gratitude list. Just jotting down a couple of things a day or during a week where I am truly grateful. Before “The Great Pause” I was always in a hurry, running from one thing to another. I looked at my life critically: What I could have done better; Where I messed up; How I dropped the ball with a client, my team; How I missed my kids’ events as I was stuck on a plane; How I was too busy creating a career to enjoy that time with my family. Now I am grateful for what my career gave me, where I am in my life.
My kids are home and we are having deep discussions about their dreams; concerns not only around the pandemic, but society and the world as a whole. We are laughing, reminiscing, telling stories about each other and telling on ourselves.
I am looking forward to continuing this reconnection with my family. Continuing my practice of meditation, exercising and eating healthy. Going for walks with my wife. Getting back into a daily exercise routine and continuing with my gratitude list.
For me, this Great Pause has been a gift, as I look to intentionally redesign my life.