Patience – A Virtue In A World Of Unknowns

“Those were the good ol’ days.”

Here we are, girls. Somewhere amid our 30s, 40s, and 50s. 

Did it ever cross your mind you would say these words before wrinkles, Depends and dentures? 

What crazy times we are living in. 

There are daily reminders of what our “new normal” is. And even that is so flippin’ fluid. So, we will refer to it as our “new reality” from here on out.

Mike and I recently experienced a healthy dose of reality when something went out on his truck. 

It only has 20,000 miles on it, so yeah, that definitely shouldn’t be happening. 

GMC had his truck for 8 weeks with no resolution because they couldn’t get the part. The manufacturer had been shut down for three months. 

We ended up having to buy a new truck and take a loss on the other one. Yeah, that sure sucks a bag of tootsie roll pops. 

As we were visiting with the manager, his comment “You know, this is our new normal, right?” really convicted me. 

There I was, extremely irritated that our life had been so disrupted and inconvenienced. Heck, I’d been irritated for 8 weeks… sister, that’s a long time to have your panties in a wad.

But you know what? He is right. 

This truly is our reality now. 

Prior to this whole COVID crap, our culture enjoyed a luxury of being able to snap out of disruptions. 

When life went bump, a phone call was made, an email was sent or shipping was expedited and viola, business as usual. 

Toto, we aren’t in Kansas anymore. 

It is necessary that we exercise some freakin’ patience, practice a little (or a lot) innovation… or maybe both. 

Maybe we make a comeback to what we once knew… and maybe we don’t. But today our circumstances call for a different type of response than we are used to giving. 

We can find other ways to push through the disruptions and continue to move forward. But first…

We must redefine our expectations to line up with our new reality. 

As women, mothers, caretakers, employers, business owners, etc., we need to recognize and understand our new reality as best we can.

Oh, I get it. The trend changes as often as junior high girls change boyfriends. 

Is the current status of our nation challenging? It absofreakinlutely is. But it’s not impossible. 

To set clear and realistic expectations for ourselves, our families, our business, our employees, we must shift our perspective and mindset to line up with the space we are living in today. 

I encourage you to recognize and acknowledge your new reality… then set those expectations accordingly. 

If adjustments need to be made along the way, then be willing to do that, too. 

Ah friend, it’s not the end of the world. It’s just a different one. 

If this message is among some of the things that make you go hmmmmm and you would like an opportunity to chat more about this over a virtual cup of coffee or glass of tea, I got you girl. 

You can get in touch with me here. I look forward to talking with you soon.