Now is the time to consider what to add to those schedules and how to best invest in free time.Įckhart Tolle spoke truth when he wrote The Power of Now. It was a chance to pause, reflect and enjoy a break from the busyness that previously filled the schedule. Some have taken this time as an opportunity to slow down as calendars were emptied and there were fewer places to go. It seemed as if we could hardly remember what life was like before as we accepted and adapted to a new rhythm. However, over the course of weeks, we shifted and adjusted to each new piece of information we received. Beyond the external changes that had to be made in the name of safety, there were some internal pivots that we can now draw upon to enhance our resiliency to any crisis.Īt first the fear of the unknown gripped our consciousness as we considered the impact this disease would have on all aspects of our lives. It is as if we all woke up and began to look at our reality a little bit differently. As the world shrank and we retreated to our homes, so too did it expand as we utilized technology to reach out in new ways without boundaries.ĭespite all the challenges that these changes have created, there have also been some positive shifts that will hopefully last beyond the COVID-19 era.

Working from home may become an option for those who are able to do so and our meetings may remain virtual as we work with our staff, board and membership. Our travel habits have been altered and our commutes shortened. Sending out renewal invoices fills us with anxiety as we wonder how many may cancel their membership due to decreased finances. We wonder if we will ever see another hotel ballroom packed with members and vendors at our annual conference. Our psyche has changed as we watched the world shut down in a matter of weeks. “Back to normal” will be anything but what we used to define as normal. This pandemic has left a trail of misery, heartache, worry and fear in its path. Now is the time to decide how to carry on as the world returns slowly to what it was before. The last few months have reshaped how we approach our lives, both professionally and personally. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every person working in associations, from those on staff to board members and volunteers.

Eckhart tolle on the pandemic