It has been a while since I posted last. A lot has happened. We were in Ohio for the summer, and our internet connection was spotty. In fact, I use my phone as a hot spot since we haven’t decided on an internet provider. Sometimes it worked well and sometimes it didn’t want to work at all. Unfortunately, in the final weeks we were in Ohio, it didn’t want to work at all. So, I didn’t get to post.
Then a few days after we got home, circumstances aligned, and we realized we needed to go check on mom and very quickly saw she was having several stroke-like symptoms and needed to get to the hospital. She was indeed having a stroke. Fortunately, it ended up being a very minor one and she is home resting and doing well. But prayers are appreciated for her continued healing.
And then, I came down with Covid. And yesterday afternoon, my husband began getting sick. So…I haven’t posted for quite a while as it seems I was not meant to. My time was taken up with other things that needed me. I am sure you have quickly ascertained that life has thrown quite a few pivots my way in the midst of me trying to get other things accomplished. Which, BTW…those other things have been left undone for now.
And I think that is the point I got through all the events of the past few weeks. We make plans and then life happens and there is nothing we can do but pivot. And every time I have to pivot all I can see is the Friends episode where Ross is trying to direct his friends as they try to move a too large sofa up a narrow stairway. Ross keeps saying pivot as he directs them to turn a corner but all they get is stuck even as Ross continues to get louder saying: pivot! Pivot! PIVOT!
And then I think about the past few weeks where I have had to pivot quite a lot even as life continued. Nothing stopped. We made plans that got scrapped. We tried to see people and we didn’t go because we didn’t want anyone to get sick. We did what was necessary to take care of ourselves as we canceled all our plans. In essence: We pivoted.
Pivots can be those things that we complain about. We grumble because we didn’t get to go on the boat ride, or to the movie, or whatever. We are upset because we had to rearrange our plans, reschedule appointments, or whatever. But in the midst of the pivot, we sometimes get exactly what we need. For me that was rest. It was time with my husband doing nothing together. It was puttering around the house as I had energy. It was getting to spend time with my new kitten who thought it was pretty cool to have me available to give pets and scratches behind his ears with my older cat looking on still in disbelief that I brought that “thing” home. (He will get over it.)
And so, the life lesson I have learned throughout the years is the lesson on how to pivot. I can make all the plans I want but I will graciously pivot when needed. It does me no good to complain, or grumble. And sometimes “the pivot” gives me the space I need or sets me on a different path toward something better than I had planned.
“For I know the plans I have for you…” and sometimes those plans include a pivot or two.
Peace,
Beth
Beth's Blog 