-What if?-

Good morning beautiful people! I hope this finds you well. It seems hard to believe that we have been at this now for over a month. It truly is becoming our new normal and I am sure I am not the only one who is feeling weary about it. I know that it is different, but we have two choices…to accept it a deny it. I know that we would have never wanted this or thought in a million years that it would happen, but we are facing it right now. Whether we accept it or not, we have to try to see what blessings come out of it. We have to re-shift our mindset, focus our perspective, and keep breathing in the present moment that we are in. I have always found comfort in the saying that living in the past creates depression and living in the future creates anxiety. So our best option is to live in the present because that creates happiness. Let's try, our very best, to be here now. 


I have been thinking about this a lot and everything. I mean our worlds are completely turned upside down. Schools are closed, businesses are shut down, everyone is home, and suddenly our lives as we knew them are put on pause. Every time I think of this, it seems to lead me back to these two words…”what if”. I know that in the past, these words have been associated with scary and irrational thoughts.  And believe me, you could have negative what if thoughts during this time if you let yourself. But this time, I think they are full of hope and realization.Stay with me as I explain. 


What if this is the best thing that has ever happened to us? What if this was the reset we all needed? What if we come out of this stronger as individuals and families? What if this allows us to really know what is important in life and what isn’t? The positive what if’s are endless when we allow ourselves to think of them. I know that in all of this it is hard to imagine how this could be good, but I think we are already starting to see it. Families are spending more time together. Creating bonds and memories that will truly last a life time. People are getting outside. Running on trails, riding bikes, playing in the driveway with chalk, exploring and making up games as they go. We are cooking more! Trying new recipes, breaking out old ones, sitting around the tables and enjoying meals together. Exercising is becoming a daily activity. Whether you are walking around the neighborhood or squatting with a case of water, we are getting our bodies moving. We have stopped comparing and judging. Pajamas all day? Fantastic! Wine at 2 pm..well I was there the other day so go for it! Date night in? I'm stealing that idea. We are letting go of other peoples opinions because we simply just don't have the time or headspace to care.  I think though, my favorite thing about all of this so far, is that things are being brought back to love. Birthdays and holidays are currently not about what, they are about who. No one can run to a store and get a present and maybe a homemade cake is the best you could do. But it hasn't seemed to matter because the love and sheer excitement of just seeing people, six feet away, surpasses all of that. Our hearts are shifting away from all the what’s and where’s of life and are now set on the who’s and why’s. That to me is worth all of this. The refocus our hearts are going through is enough for me to realize that while this is scary, different, and very much so life-threatening, the way it is changing us is, in-fact, life saving. 

So let’s take this time to think of all the ways this has changed us in a positive way. What ways has this opened your heart or focused your eyes on what is most important. How have we let go of what has weighed us down and stopped caring of what others think? How have we been there for our friends, even though we physically can’t be? How are we changing for the good? All of these thoughts will allow you to see how this, single handenly, might be a blessing in the strangest of disguises. What we need, what we pray for, what we think will make life better, sometimes is delivered in a way we never thought it would be. And while it might not make sense in the moment, when we stop and think about it, it might just become crystal clear. 
Hang in there tribe! Keep your head up, your hearts strong, and your hands clean. Enjoy this time with your families, your lovers, your four legged friends! Find the good and hold it tight. And take some time to think of the positive what if’s this could bring. We miss you, we love you, we are here for you. Remember that always because the thing that is holding us together is love, and it has been for a very long time. That’s all for now. Breathe and keep calm. 


Infinite x’s and o’s, 


Caroline