Silver linings of lockdown during this time of unimaginable pain and suffering are there is you look for them.  Most of us are not emergency workers so there is time for new activities, hobbies and thoughts.

The COVID-19 has really brought to the fore what is really important in life and what is just trivial.  Our medical experts and teachers are at the forefront as well as good leaders.  It is hard to find any talk of celebrities, movie stars or other manufactured people.  They are simply not important and wouldn’t it lovely if we could keep it that way when all this is over.

One of the silver linings of lockdown is there is such a sense of unity in the air.  When I go for my daily walk or to the supermarket, there really is a feeling that we are all in this together. It seems to have brought us all closer.   I notice myself and others saying “hello” to strangers and passing a comment or two.  I do hope this continues into the future.

I love watching parents play with their small children on the beach (the one near me is not closed).  I am sure for a lot of families this time in isolation is bringing them closer together.  I know that for many, this time is causing untold pain but this article is about the positives.

There is time for those of us not directly involved in the pandemic to think.  To think about our lives, the direction we would like to take once the lockdown is over and what we believe in.  In the normal hustle and bustle of life, there really isn’t time to think about much except today and tomorrow.  But now with days, weeks and possibly even months in lockdown, there is plenty of time for our minds to wander.

I have been delighting in the innovative things people have been doing both here in Australia and overseas.  I love the way people show their appreciation for the medical workers by clapping them at a certain time each day.  I love the way musicians play their instruments outside their homes.  The way neighbours all stand outside their homes and sing and dance.  Not to mention the clever jokes and short videos that people post on social media about the COVID-19.  Such clever people to make up these jokes.  The human spirit cannot be extinguished.

There is time to try new things – for me I have been cooking more, learnt to Zoom with my grandson, held my first webinar and am exercising every day.  All positives.  I am sure a lot of other people are doing much greater things with their time such as learning a new language online.

Whatever you are doing with your time, make it constructive and enjoy this down time – the rat race will start again before we know it.  Stay well, look after yourself and those around you.