What is your takeaway?
@GardenGerty (157551)
United States
April 5, 2020 7:54am CST
What are you learning with all of the medical crisis and financial and social crisis over covid-19.
What comes to my mind is "resilience". Learning how to deal with situations that are beyond what we had imagined.
Do you have children? Are you scared for them? Are you making them scared? Teach them to do what is possible to be okay.
You cannot go to school--okay, but you can learn. Most districts have distance learning in place. No computer? Learn from nature. Learn from life as our earlier relatives did.
Practice life skills. Learn how to count money, read recipes, repair things around the house. Now is the time to learn, for all of you, how to clean well, with regular soap and water. How to make sure your surfaces are okay.
Play family games, not online. You don't have any? There are many pencil and paper games to play. Celebrate being together. Use the good dishes, make tasty meals and snacks. Pick wildflower bouquets.
My daughter has four children. She told me once when I was visiting that she has taught them that the purpose of games is not to "win" but to be together. I like that, and I have remembered that.
Are you like me, with just a spouse? Keep to a routine. Make good meals, do things together. Find creative things to do.
I am struggling with this a bit, as I like my computer and he likes old movies on television. But we will make it and be okay.
I am using this time to regenerate, practice self care. I am thinking, learning, and doing things. I have found some things that I can make to donate to charities when this crisis is over, and I am going to do it. I may make some cloth masks as well, who knows.
As long as you have something to give to others, you are not poor or useless. It will take all of us, with positive intentions and practices, to do well coming out of this worldwide crisis.
Be resilient. Bounce back. Take care of yourself, and your environment.
Observe your religious practices. Pray.
34 people like this
34 responses
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
5 Apr 20
Absolutely wonderful post which hopefully some people will take note of. I have been doing a teaching session with my grandchildren each day! Oh boy although we have discussed some many interesting things I am so glad I am not a teacher of children. Adults are much easier to teach for me. We have also had fun on line with them too. SO it is not all bad it just depends on your mindset and your outlook on life!
14 people like this
@LadyDuck (458174)
• Switzerland
5 Apr 20
@garymarsh6 It is a brilliant post, we need to read something positive.
3 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
5 Apr 20
@LadyDuck Yes there are some very useful ideas for others to use if they are stuck for ideas! 
5 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
5 Apr 20
The words that come to mind for me are persistence, adaptability, and determination. We are going to overcome this pandemic, and then come out better as a society in the long run.
I am not scared during this pandemic. I am remaining cautiously optimistic. Am I concerned? Yes. Worried? No. I have two children, and to ensure that they feel safe and secure in this scary world we are in right now, I have to model bravery and optimism to them. I talk to them frequently about the situation, and constantly let them know that we are going to be alright, we are going to survive, and we are going to thrive. I told them no matter what, we are all in this together, and by sticking together we will all get through it. It is really helped them cope. And there are so many wonderful life lessons and teaching moments happening throughout this crisis.
8 people like this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
7 Apr 20
I love your list of words, persistence, adaptability, determination. Now is not the time to give up and do nothing. When we have children we need to be brave for them.
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (45472)
• India
5 Apr 20
@moffittjc
Quite encouraging words from you too!
3 people like this
@MarshaMusselman (38657)
• Midland, Michigan
6 Apr 20
How old a are your kids Jeff?
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458174)
• Switzerland
5 Apr 20
Great way to go through this difficult moment. I am with my husband, we keep our routine, we get up, shower, take our breakfast and dress, just as we should go out and do our normal life. We have more time to take care of the house, of our hobbies, to cook things that take more time in the kitchen. Just be positive, we will make it!
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
7 Apr 20
Yes, @LadyDuck . If we act sick, we feel sick. I keep in mind that I have been given a gift of extra time right now.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458174)
• Switzerland
6 Apr 20
@DeborahDiane Staying at home all the day in pajama as we were sick is depressing, we should go on as nothing bad was happening around us.
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
5 Apr 20
@LadyDuck - I agree. Keeping a routine and staying positive are the keys to getting through this.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
5 Apr 20
@jaboUK - Hi Janet! Like Anna, I am glad to know you are doing well. I agree there is a lot of wisdom in this post. My husband and I are enjoying having more time with each other. We are at peace and enjoying staying home. Hope you continue to be safe, too!
3 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
6 Apr 20
@JudyEv - I'm so glad to hear that you and Vince are doing well and remain in good health. My husband and I are fine. We are being careful and staying home nearly all the time. Thanks for the good wishes. I'm sending them back to you!
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
5 Apr 20
@JudyEv - Yes, I agree this was great post. I have actually found some joy in spending more time at home, relaxing with my husband. I am truly, truly grateful that we are back in our house and NOT staying in a hotel right now ... which is how we spent a significant part of 2019. I hope you and Vince are doing well, too.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325798)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Apr 20
@DeborahDiane Thanks. Nothing much has changed for us. We're well away from any- and everyone unless we go shopping which we're doing about once a fortnight. I feel sorry for those in tiny apartments. Although nothing much has changed, we're still trying to 'pretend' we've been given some extra time so we're doing bits and pieces that we say we don't have time for when life is 'normal'. I'm sure you're taking care too and I send you my best wishes.
3 people like this
@amitkokiladitya (171936)
• Agra, India
5 Apr 20
I'm also trying my best to make the best out of this time.
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
7 Apr 20
Yes, that is our choice. We are in this situation, we can make it good or we can make it worse.
1 person likes this
@amitkokiladitya (171936)
• Agra, India
8 Apr 20
@GardenGerty yes...I would agree. I think these are the words I needed at present
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (45472)
• India
5 Apr 20
I do agree with you. There are moments when we might feel frustrated. But then, the current times provide us with opportunities to teach things to our kids, spend time with kids and family, catch up on sleep which gets denied during hectic work schedules and movements.
And well watch some movies which we could not do earlier.
Nice to have you sharing this discussion.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
7 Apr 20
I do find I am getting better sleep and it is good for me.
@inertia4 (27961)
• United States
12 Jun 20
Well, my takeaway on this crisis is that it is scary and life changing. This virus will not go away anytime soon. I feel we will have a second round of this and it could be worse. I hope not. I have kids and I do worry for them. But they are doing the right thing as am I. Stay at, well, for me, that is not much of a stretch. I spend most of my time home anyway. But the freedom of being able to go where I want when I want has been stifled. Wearing a mask and or gloves makes life less enjoyable. But it is what we have to do now. I stay away from people at all costs now. but I do feel that over time we will be able to get back to some kind of normal again. I have no one else with me, my kids live with their mother, so I am alone here. So no game playing. I have gotten into fountain pens and that is my new hobby and enjoy it. So that is helping me out during these times now. I also have been ordering food online, which I find amazing.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
13 Jun 20
Are you writing with fountain pens? Or learning about them, or collecting them? When I wrote this discussion we had not even begun to have an idea that other major things would happen. Yes I think the virus will reoccur. Maybe even become seasonal, like flu. I work in a school, with medically fragile kids. Our governor was the first to shut schools down. My new takeaway is that there is something new always changing the script.
1 person likes this
@inertia4 (27961)
• United States
14 Jun 20
@GardenGerty That is correct. I agree. Yes I am collecting fountain pens and using them as well. I love it. I have seen so many videos on YouTube about them. I knew they existed years ago but I never thought about them. I was raised with ballpoint pens. That is a bummer. LOL. I think fountain pens are awesome. Well, all we can do is socially distance, wear a mask and wash out hands. Life has changed for now. I am hoping that there will come a day that things can be normal again. But for now I have my pens to keep me company.
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
5 Apr 20
People dont always realize how useful and comforting a schedule is. Put some control back in our days
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
7 Apr 20
I like what I have learned, that you have scheduled a walk daily. It keeps us physically and mentally healthy.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
8 Apr 20
@GardenGerty I try and walk mid afternoon, to the point I leave the house between 245 and 3 each day.
1 person likes this
@pgntwo (22408)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
5 Apr 20
Tolerate each other, and others in the household too. Loved the post, suggested to me by @GaryMarsh6.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
7 Apr 20
Thank you for coming by. Yes, we need to treasure those in our household.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
14 Apr 20
Kindness is an excellent takeaway. I hope when things open back up that we continue to show kindness, always.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
13 Jun 20
@TheHorse With the current political situation, the riots, the racism coming to the surface we can tell that the kindness did not work its way through everything and it did not persist.
@TheHorse (205768)
• Walnut Creek, California
18 Apr 20
@GardenGerty I hope so too. But I'm not placing any bets.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
7 Apr 20
You are not my only single friend who has expressed this. I hope you receive some comforting calls. Blessings for you this Holy Week. I have been blessed to see some of my favorite pastors and congregations online as I have more time to appreciate them right now.
1 person likes this
@just4him (306236)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
7 Apr 20
@GardenGerty I made a post on Facebook this morning about needed phone calls. I got several today.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
7 Apr 20
Thank you. I hope you are doing well.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
7 Apr 20
Yes. We have survived storms, and overcome devastating adversity in the past. We are becoming better.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
5 Apr 20
Having a little one around during this crisis keeps me level headed. I did breakdown yesterday and cried. My husband lost his cool and shouted at us both. I know it bothered him that he did that. He slept for the remainder of the day.
I have started baking again. Using recipes I haven't used in years. Making things that my grandmother would have been proud of. I post pictures on Facebook and my friends are envious!
We play a lot of games with Little Miss. Today I am going to make playdoh with her using cornstarch. She will love adding the color to it. Messy fun. I have to find some finger paints, but not sure I can order them. Most places are tapped out and our local Walmart won't allow you to buy them as they are not essential items.
Nature walks have become our escape. Little Miss enjoys going outdoors to play. No, I can't run and do the things I wish I could, but we play basketball, she runs a timed relay, we find rocks and other things we can use for arts and crafts.
She does watch her fair share of her favorite cartoons. But, we also do other things.
Hubby and I are both stressed, and we just try to breathe and not let it get to us. Yesterday was not the case though. Hoping that we can manage the stress better as days go by. Prayer helps. I do it a lot lately.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
5 Apr 20
@Susan2015 I am feeling better today. I never let the darkness overtake me. There is always sunshine even on the cloudiest day.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21737)
• Canada
6 Apr 20
Hang in there. We've been "locked down" for three weeks now and on Saturday was my first really down day. We had had three cold snowy, rainy windy days in a row and somehow the disappointment of not being able to spend the time with family just became overwhelming. Sunday was Sunny and bright. I could g for a walk and my spirits were much brighter.
This too, will pass.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
7 Apr 20
@Morleyhunt these past 2 days have been so nice. Expecting some rain and cooler weather soon though.
2 people like this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16532)
• China
6 Apr 20
This is a good post full of positive energy ! We should learn to reconcile ourselves to our situation.I stayed at home for 40 days during the enclosed management.I read many books that I never got round to and there is a bit improvement in my execution of violin.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
7 Apr 20
I applaud you on working on your music and reading. You are a good example to us. We have not been down on enforced stay at home so very long, We can do this and we can thrive.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16532)
• China
8 Apr 20
@GardenGerty Thank you for your compliment ! I have to learn from you too.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
5 Apr 20
@GardenGerty - Yes, resilience is a good word to describe what I am seeing right now. Faith, acceptance and gratitude are other words. Yes, I feel grateful to have a home to live in, nice weather to walk outdoors in, and fewer obligations.
I am not scared. I am being careful, but I am also in acceptance, despite being 70 years old.
My adult children and eight grandchildren seem to be handling the situation just fine. They are spread across the country ... Northern and Southern California, New York, and Delaware. All eight of our grandkids are out of school and studying online. There has been a period of adaption, but they are making it work.
Good luck to you and your family. Stay safe!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
7 Apr 20
It is marvelous to be able to connect online.Lots of positives if we are open to them.
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@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 Apr 20
@GardenGerty - Yes, I agree. It must have been awful in 1918 to be quarantined, with no way to talk to your loved ones. We have it much better today.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (18923)
• United States
7 Apr 20
I'm not scared. I don't have kids. But I have been watching tv alot and doing my online work. And reading.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
7 Apr 20
So has your day to day activity changed any at all?
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (18923)
• United States
8 Apr 20
@GardenGerty The only thing changed is that I don't go to church on Sundays.
1 person likes this
@spiderdust (14741)
• San Jose, California
5 Apr 20
My youngest stepson has learned how to play solitare during our time at home, and it made me think about how many games can be played with a single deck of cards. I used to know how to play gin, maybe I need to relearn it.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
7 Apr 20
I am sure there are instructions online. When I was a kid we played a lot of card games. I think the repetitive laying our of cards in solitaire is relaxing.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
7 Apr 20
@spiderdust I read a post by a psychologist or counselor that says the act of moving your head side to side is a calming thing to do. I know when we play solitaire with real cards that is one of the things we do, we scan our layout looking for moves.
@spiderdust (14741)
• San Jose, California
7 Apr 20
@GardenGerty I agree about solitare being relaxing!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
7 Apr 20
We can choose to thrive, and practice good self care.
1 person likes this
