Slow Down and Smell the Roses Moses

3/19/21 3:42 PM

Now that the COVID pandemic is a bit more than a year old, it has been interesting to read some articles and see some news programs that have chronicled how this pandemic has changed our lives. When you see friends who have lost loved ones, battled illnesses or who have had their professional lives turned upside down, it can’t help but cause you to reflect about the impact and magnitude of what’s happened to each and every one of us.

But there is another side to COVID. As I’ve mentioned before, my mom would frequently say during difficult times, “When you get lemons, make lemonade!” With that thought in mind, I’ve had some interesting conversations with individuals who have shared what the other side of COVID has meant to them. Some of these people have been making lemonade.

For example, this week I had a delightful conversation with a successful executive who noted that there has been an upside to all this COVID stuff for her and her family. Prior to COVID, she was frequently on a plane and would in some years travel well in excess of 100,000 miles. She has appreciated the opportunity to work from home and has treasured the chance to spend more time with her teenage daughter.

And she is not an exception. In the past month I have also had several conversations with friends who have talked about the lessons they have learned during this pandemic and how it has positively impacted their lives. One friend had a really interesting perspective. He has a strong faith and he shared his thoughts about how the COVID crisis caused him to slow down and truly appreciate God’s blessings in his life. In pushing the “Reset Button” he is more thankful than ever for the things that are really important in life—things like our family, friends and our faith.

He inspired me to share two stories that readers sent to me this past week. The first featured Yo-Yo Ma, arguably the greatest cellist in the world. Some people are surprised to learn that I attended a Fine Arts high school, Interlochen Arts Academy, where I gained a love and appreciation for classical music.

One of my favorite instruments is the cello. So a couple of years ago, I was thrilled when I had the chance to see and hear Yo-Yo Ma in person at Chicago’s Orchestra Hall. That is why I really enjoyed this video that featured Yo-Yo Ma bringing his cello to the COVID vaccine center where he performed a solo concert for approximately 15 minutes as he was waiting to receive his vaccination. Talk about making lemons out of lemonade! It was special to see how people reacted to this mini concert.

Another friend sent me an article, “No Left Turns”, which featured an individual writing about his parents who were married for 75 years. I know that you are extremely busy, but hopefully you can find five minutes to read this article. For me, it brought tears to my eyes.

The author begins his story by commenting on the fact that his father gave up driving in the 1920s. He told his kids it was because there were too many distractions; but their mother said it was because he had hit a horse with the car. As he shares his story about growing up in this home, he highlights the value of having a philosophy about the importance of slowing down, so that we can recognize and appreciate the blessings that have been poured into our lives. And since his mom lived to be 94 and his father lived to be 102 years old and had all their faculties about them for their entire lives, there must be some wise life lessons in that philosophy.

With vaccines becoming more commonplace, I find it interesting that many in the news are focused on us returning to “normal.” Honestly, I wonder what “normal” will look like. After having had these conversations with friends though, I sense that for me, and perhaps for some of you who are reading this note, this pandemic will help us to stop taking things for granted, especially when it comes to reminding our friends and family how much they mean to us.

Given the media coverage, it’s not surprising that many people have been gripped with fear of uncertainty when wondering what the future will look like. For me, I am encouraged when I read words from the Gospel of Matthew that remind me to “not be anxious for tomorrow.” That is why one of my friends likes to periodically remind me in a light hearted way: “Mike, this ain’t God’s first rodeo, so slow down and smell the roses Moses because you can rest easy.”

So check out the video of Yo-Yo Ma, read that beautiful article, give your friends and family a hug and rest easy, because as my friend also likes to remind me, “God sits on the throne and is still in charge!”

Have a great weekend.
Mike