I heard this phrase this past weekend while listening to a live online message Sunday. It has rattled around my head since.
I think it one of the resonant points is that we are always going to face challenges, and when we are, we have a choice. We can either be victimized by the challenge or we can learn something from the challenge.
In the case of the Coronavirus and social distancing, we can be victims by dwelling on a few things in our lives that have been impacted. For instance, not hanging out with our friends, cancelling vacations, eating out in restaurants, and missing high school graduation are a few of the common consequences.
We can respond by becoming lethargic, sitting around, and binge watching every show ever posted on Netflix.
I think next-level thinking challenges us to do more than that.
How often have we said, pre-coronavirus, that we do not have enough time? I hear it almost every day. Well, know we have time and plenty of it.
Below are a few questions and idea that may spark some thinking for you as it has done for me.
- Is there something I would like to learn?
- Is there something I can share with someone?
- Is there something I can teach someone?
- Would I like to dabble in the arts? Watercolor painting? Oil painting? Drawing? Sculpture?
- Is there a song I would like to write – either lyrics or music?
- What hobby would I like to start or really commit myself to?
- Who can I write a physical letter to?
- Can I volunteer somewhere in my community?
- Could I go read, sing or perform for retirement home residents?
- Can I create flyers about dental hygiene and share them with my neighbors?
- Are there some dishes I would like to cook?
- Would I like to plant flowers or vegetables?
- Can I get more exercise? Or any exercise?
- Can I take some time to write my own personal mission statement and plans for the next 5 years?
- Do I want to start learning another language?
- Can I clean my garage?
- Can I clean my closets?
- Can you come over and clean mine?
- Am I able to sew things, like masks to help others?
- Am I handy? Can I ask my neighbors if they need any help around the house?
- Can I go through and read the more the 500 posts on the world-no-so-famous Umenum blog?
- Can I go take pictures of friends or beautiful things in my community and state?
- Can I start eating a little bit healthier by preparing better food.
- Can I do 25 sit-ups every day?
- Can I do some genealogy work and learn about my family history?
Those are just a few. Please let me know if you have some more you would like to share.
I hope this post finds you and your family well!
Remember – you can GROW through it!
Peace.

Here are a few more posts you may enjoy:
CHICKEN ON THE MOUNTAIN
SQUAW PEAK OVERLOOK BACK TRAIL
NIGHT ON THE MOUNTAIN
A HIKING CORNUCOPIA
YOUR DIRECTION IS MOST IMPORTANT
ONE OF MY PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS
THE BIG TEST
TRIBUTE TO JOHN PRINE
BACK WITH THE FISHERMAN