Recently, Governor Edwards extended the Stay-At-Home order for another two weeks in Louisiana, ending on May 15. This certainly brings bad news, good news, and hopefully continued opportunity. While many of us may be stuck at home and itching to get back to work, let’s not forget to find the silver lining in the new order.
Bad news, is of course that everything is going to remain almost the same for a little bit longer (except for the three changes that will be instated). For those who are struggling to get by financially, for our sick and lonely friends and family, and for those in abusive households, this is not necessarily the best news. Hopefully, all of these situations are being mitigated and will come to a happy end soon. These people should be kept in our thoughts, prayers, and potential charitable actions.
The good news is that everything is going to remain almost the same for a little bit longer. Those who are at risk may be breathing a sigh of relief and feel comfort in a sense of security due to the extension. Those who are enjoying a lightened work load or the long mental break will be able to continue to enjoy it for another two weeks. Those who are taking extra time to “smell the flowers,” so to speak, will be able to do so for longer. Hopefully, these people who have been able to really enjoy the Stay-At-Home period will come back to full society as a brighter presence in their own communities.
Lastly, the window of opportunity just opened up a little bit more. For those who are staying at home, the perfect time for self enrichment or community productivity just received a two week extension. To those who may have wasted a little more time than planned, such time has been replaced. Use it wisely. How about those who may have run out of things to do? Well, cleaning up the community can be a social-distancing event. Charitable donations are always received warmly, and could sure be helpful to many. If you are tired of working on yourself, you can always work on the community from a safe distance.
These trying times will soon be over. But trying times don’t necessarily have to be “bad” times. We can all find ways to grow in some form during the next two weeks. The choice to be bored, miserable, sad, etc. is up to us. The mindset we choose to have will affect how we finish up the SaH order. When it’s over, and it will be, we can continue to grow through positive habits, new knowledge, or even community engagement.
As a small side note, how weird has this year been? Worldwide pandemic, sports cancelled everywhere, Roger Goodell seemingly drunk or otherwise intoxicated during the first round of the NFL draft in his basement, oil prices going to negative (and pretty deep in the negatives at that), the United States government releasing videos regarding UFOs, and more. And we aren’t even half way through.
Bayou Observant 