As the title suggests, my puzzle journey continues but with ups and downs. I am still new at blogging. Please see About Me. It is said that sharing with others helps to release some stress. It’s good to share some of the stones I’ve tripped on during this latest walk.
The last few months has not been easy for anyone. The pandemic has shifted things around in every aspect of society. Many of us have been sheltered at home because we might be at high risk. For others, it’s to protect the elderly living at home. And still others because they have lost their jobs.
For me, I am a chicken. Since March 19th /2020, I have been home from work. My husband has a full-time job. I felt too anxious and nervous to go to work. I feel like I’m suffocating with the mask. My workplace said I could stay home for now with no pay and without losing my job.
Someone asked if I was getting unemployment. But I can’t because I am still technically an employee for the company. I’m just happy I still have a job to go back to.
With the stimulus check, we were able to pay 2 ½ months’ rent so I stayed home.As of this writing, I am supposed to start the first week of August. Gotta pay the rent!
The time at home has been like a retreat. The self-imposed “isolation” has been very productive for me.
- Bible studies – My faith has grown to a new level. The awesomeness of God is everywhere and always with me.
- Writing courses – These courses have helped me to improve my writing. Of course, I feel the need for more training.
- Blog course – Never have I taken a course on how to start a blog. I started this past month of May/2020. I am still working at it. When I look back on the first day of training, I cannot believe how much I’ve accomplished already with the blog.
The days are flying by! When I get busy, hours become minutes. I must admit it hasn’t been easy. There are days that my mind is overwhelmed with so many tasks for the blog that I go into freeze mode. I can’t seem to concentrate on any task.
Even the Bible studies have suffered. Lately I’ve been lacking a little on the time for prayer and reflection. The writing courses are on hold until I can get the blog up and running.
On the other hand, there are days I’m on full-mode, able to get what needs to be done.
Many days, I’m in the patio reading bible reflections and writing down some thoughts about what I read or what comes to mind while reading.
Parts of the day are used to work on the blog. Whether it’s watching the training videos, setting up the website with improvements or writing out blog posts on the new laptop I recently acquired for the business, I sit in the patio getting some fresh air.
My journey to look for the puzzle pieces of my life is barely beginning. Each day, new angles of the puzzle are discovered. I try to keep up by jotting down notes before I forget them. Then I write them up later when more time is available to upload on the website.
As a direct consequence of this blog, I see everything through the lens of puzzle pieces. I keep connecting everything I remember with my present. Now even my husband Dio points out pieces of puzzle of Life whether his or mine.
Is there a silver lining to this pandemic? (at least for me) The answer is yes! I have obtained:
- A better understanding of my faith and the need to share with my community.
- A great improvement in my writing skills.
- An important event in which my blog became a reality.
- A deeper awareness of how my life fits together as a whole.
Not everyone has had a silver lining in this pandemic. Many have suffered great losses. Three cousins have succumbed to Covid19 and passed away in the last 2 months. Another one is fighting for his life at the time of this writing. (But sadly this cousin has also succumbed to the Covid19 a week later of this writing, making him the fourth)
Two of my favorite priests from my time living in Puerto Rico passed away in the same month of June/2020. So, it hasn’t all been a silver lining.
With God on our side, we can help each other get through this pandemic. This is a time of unity to fight a common deadly obstacle that’s destroying our society. A time for replacing our puzzle pieces with better options.
Maybe we can remodel the Grand Puzzle of Life. Piece by piece, made up of millions of puzzle parts, together to create one big beautiful picture!
Please read Welcome my Blog! and Why Read my Blog? if this is your first visit so you can have a better understanding of Life’s puzzle pieces.
Please share your thoughts with me down below. I would really love to hear from you!
Keep up the good work. There is always a silver lining and something to be grateful for. This year has challenged most all of us and hopefully we can look back and be grateful for what we learned and new things we tried. 🙂
Indeed, I’ve learned it’s always good to see the silver lining! It helps to see the world in a better light!