Boomer Connections This Boomer's Life

I read a post on Facebook the other day about how we are not all in the same boat as we live through this Pandemic. The post was absolutely spot on as it explained that we are all experiencing this time from different boats. It’s a horrible virus that we are all sheltering from, but I can tell you my point of view is vastly different than anyone else’s point of view, and vice versa.

I am a Baby Boomer. I live alone. That means every day I am by myself all day long. Every. Single. Day. I am also an extrovert. Yes, it can drive you a little nuts.  I get energy from being around other people. Not much of that happening right now. However, this period of isolation has made me look at myself in new ways and I am learning new things about myself.

First, I can exist without other people around. It’s pretty lonely but I’m getting used to it. Do I want to live this way forever? Not a chance. I can’t wait for the day when I can see my family and friends again and hug them all! I miss them so much it hurts.

Second, I have clarified areas of life that are important to me. I am a Spiritual person, and I know God loves me no matter what. My faith is definitely helping me to stay strong right now.  I am an emotional person needing emotional connections with others and not just amicable interactions. I am a physical person needing activity in my life for keeping myself fit as well as keeping myself busy and challenged; harder these days to accomplish.

Third, you can do and achieve anything you set your mind on accomplishing no matter your age – it is just a number. A friend of mine said it best: “I was told I was crazy, I was told it couldn’t be done, I was told that I would injure myself, I was told that I was too old. I was told…and told…and told.  I’m here to tell you…that you’re not living to your potential unless people have called you crazy.  I’m here to tell you that the ones who tell you something is impossible are only stating their own limits. Not yours.  I’m here to tell you that you can push through all the challenges you face, and you’ll become stronger than you ever imagined. I’m here to tell you that you’re not too old, unless you use age as an excuse.  I’m here to tell you that there is only one person who needs to believe in your dreams. And it’s not the naysayers.”

So why not set some lofty goals for yourself? And if those goals don’t scare you, they are not lofty enough. We will come through this; each of us in our own unique boat. I have learned that I can rely on myself by myself for the first time in my life. I’m not sure what goals I will set for myself once we are no longer ordered to isolate, but I can tell you that I will have one that is really lofty.

I do know this: Living in isolation is not living. While I am grateful to be healthy, and financially I can get by right now, I know so many people with their own businesses who are really struggling to put food on the table and pay their mortgage/rent. Some may lose their businesses. It’s devastating to see how this virus has brought the world to its knees.

I hope we never experience this same kind of crisis again. God did not intend for us to have to live this way. My hope is that we all will be able to bounce back and be even better than we were before this Pandemic struck. I know it won’t happen overnight, but I’m praying it will happen sooner rather than later.