Right before the pandemic became widespread I had a profound change in my career. Without getting specific, I no longer was employed at the place I thought I would retire from when I had helped them reach 500 stores across the US. When I left, we had 360 stores. So close. But the change meant that I had to pivot. I did flounder a bit at the beginning. I felt sorry for myself wondering what I was going to do to earn money and support myself and my family. I was 59 years old and the number of jobs in my field was shrinking.
I let myself wallow for a couple of months and then decided to do something about it. I wasn’t going to let this set me back. After speaking with some close friends and colleagues, I decided to use my skills and talent in a new way. I became a consultant. I started calling people I knew in the industry to catch up and just let them know what I was up to. To my surprise, I started to get some inquiries into how I might be able to help their companies. The next thing I knew, I had landed two really good clients and was on my way.
As the year ended, I decided to look back on the 10 months of the pandemic. I wondered if I had more to be grateful for than to be sad about. It wasn’t hard to see that there were definitely some things to be grateful for this year despite all that was bad in the world. I decided to sit down and list them. When I finished it up on New Year’s Eve, I couldn’t believe how long the list was.
Here is my list. I hope that you too found some good things to be thankful for this year.
1. Good Health
During this pandemic, I was still able to keep up my running routine. At the same time, I was eating better and lost weight. I feel like I am in peak health and attribute it to the pandemic.
2. Money in the Bank
Even though I no longer have a regular paycheck, I feel fortunate to have money in the bank. I know that this makes me richer than most people on Earth.
3. Good Friends
I have found out who my true friends were as the pandemic stretched on. They were the ones who checked in on me regularly to just see how I was doing. I realize now that it’s the quality of my friendships, not the quantity.
4. Judaism
Being able to worship through Zoom and remain connected to my temple has helped me is so many ways. Even though it was different, at the same time it helped keep an established routine.
5. Your Parents
My parents are now in their 80s and I am thankful to still have them as part of my life.
6. Weekends
Even though one day melted into the next. I still looked forward to the weekend when my son and his wife would come over for a visit. We would share a meal and just spend time together which is the best way to feel connected in this time of isolation.
7. Having the Perfect Partner
This forced isolation and being out of work gave me time to be with my wife more than I ever have since we got married. It reminded me of why I was lucky enough to have her sharing my life.
8. Learning from Mistakes
I sometimes wish I had not and did not make so many mistakes both personally and professionally. But, if I never made mistakes, I wouldn’t learn from them and be able to grow as much as I have this year.
9. Having a Home
I am blessed to have a very comfortable home that is set up just the way we like it. And I now know more than ever that just having a place to call home is something to be thankful for.
10. Breathing Fresh Air
Through my running, I find comfort in just being able to step outside and breathe in the fresh air. I love the cool air of the mornings as I run. The fresh air reinvigorates me and gets me ready for the day.
11. Laughter
Those who know me know that I love to laugh. Without laughter, there is no joy in the world. And if we can’t laugh at ourselves, who can we laugh at.
12. Safety and Security
Even though the virus is a scary thing, I know that I can wake up without immense fear as I am taking the precautions to stay safe and healthy. This frees me up to really live my life to the fullest.
13. Sunshine
I like to sit out on my back porch and eat my lunch. I do this to enjoy the sun’s warmth. It helps to brighten my day.
14. Time
If this pandemic taught me anything, time is precious. Although I felt like there was too much time to fill each day, I soon realized that actually there almost wasn’t enough of it as I started to land clients.
15. Cell Phones
Cell phones made staying connected to family and friends easy. Sometimes a simple text just to remind someone you are thinking of them will brighten their day.
16. Books
For the first time in a long time, I had time to read. Books have always provided me an escape and also a way to learn. This pandemic provided me time to get back to reading and took my mind off of all the negativity the virus brought into our lives.
17. Art
As an artist, I know that our world would be less beautiful if it didn’t exist. I loved seeing all of the art on my Facebook page a people found ways to share their visual works.
18. Holidays
Even though we were in lockdown, we still celebrated all of the holidays both secular and Jewish. We felt that despite the pandemic celebrating holidays was something to be thankful for.
19. Tears
I did find that certain music, movies, or television shows brought tears to my eyes. Tears of happiness and sadness. I wasn’t sure if it was triggered by isolation, but I let them flow because it gave me release and seemed to calm my fears.
20. Waking up each day
Isn’t it wonderful to simply wake up and realize that you have another day to does something productive?
21. Wisdom that Comes with Age
Even though I am not sure I am actually gaining wisdom, I am thankful that I seem to be able to learn something new each day. I am definitely getting older and there is no stopping that.
22. Mountains
I loved going into the mountains whenever I can. Our December trip to Sedona allowed us to do some hiking in the hills that surround the town.
23. Eyesight
I am thankful for my eyesight. Even though it is weakening, I am still able to see the world’s beauty. We definitely saw some beautiful vistas in Sedona.
24. Sunrises and Sunsets
I love running along as the sun rises. The peacefulness of the world at that time is soothing. Watching the sunset reminds me to take stock of the day and realize that maybe the simple things in life are to be enjoyed.
25. Moon and Stars
There is nothing more beautiful than a very clear sky with a bright moon and stars. I get to enjoy them every morning as I run.
26. Music
I have been listening to more music than I had in the recent past. It brings me such joy and happiness I am thankful for the way that it helped to lift me when I was down.
27. Challenges
Even though I hated the fact that my career was forever changed without my having a say, I realized that without challenges in life, I wouldn’t be where I am now. I am happier and more fulfilled in what I am doing than I have been in a very long time.
28. Vaccines
Finally, I am most thankful for the fact that scientists were able to develop a vaccine that will hopefully get the pandemic and virus under control. If that happens, we will be able to hopefully get back to a more normal way of life.
Realizing all the things you should be thankful for is the first step, practicing gratitude is what you should start doing. I finished one more lap around the sun and covered 1,767.10 miles on the planet. I am going to stop posting for a while as I don’t think blogging is as popular as it once was. If I ever get back to racing, I might blog about my races. If I don’t blog again, I just want to thank you for following me and reading my ramblings. Just know that I will always be out there somewhere running and enjoying life.
Nov 23 – 4.70 miles (50:38, 10:47 pace) – Hill Repeats
Nov 24 – 3.10 miles (25:02, 8:03 pace) – Tempo Run
Nov 26 – 3.10 miles (23:36, 7:37 pace) – Speed Work
Nov 27 – 4.10 miles (37:34, 9:09 pace)
Nov 28 – 8.40 miles (1:21:30, 9:32 pace)
Nov 29 – 4.50 miles (42:13, 9:23 pace)
Nov 30 – 6.20 miles (1:05:14, 10:31 pace) – Hill Repeats
Dec 1 – 3.10 miles (24:15, 7:49 pace) – Speed Work
Dec 3 – 5.10 miles (46:38, 8:02 pace) – Tempo Run
Dec 4 – 4.50 miles (42:09, 9:22 pace)
Dec 5 – 9.50 miles (1:30:03, 9:29 pace)
Dec 6 – 4.50 miles (46:38, 8:52 pace)
Dec 7 – 5.10 miles (54:47, 10:45 pace) – Hill Repeats
Dec 8 – 3.10 miles (23:27, 7:34 pace) – Speed Work
Dec 10 – 5.10 miles (41:30, 8:08 pace) – Tempo Run
Dec 11 – 4.70 miles (42:16, 9:11 pace)
Dec 12 – 11.10 miles (1:46:13, 9:34 pace)
Dec 13 – 3.20 miles (29:50, 9:20 pace)
Dec 15 – 3.10 miles (28:28, 9:12 pace)
Dec 16 – 3.10 miles (28:28, 9:11 pace)
Dec 17 – 3.10 miles (28:25, 9:10 pace)
Dec 18 – 3.10 miles (27:53, 9:00 pace)
Dec 19 – 8.20 miles (01:17:10, 9:25 pace)
Dec 20 – 3.10 miles (30:28, 9:50 pace)
Dec 21 – 4.10 miles (40:20, 9:50 pace)
Dec 22 – 4.10 miles (38:49, 9:28 pace)
Dec 23 – 4.20 miles (39:52, 9:30 pace)
Dec 24 – 5.20 miles (49:03, 9:26 pace)
Dec 25 – 5.10 miles (49:54, 9:47 pace)
Dec 26 – 6.20 miles (1:00:47, 9:48 pace)
Dec 27 – 4.10 miles (37:44, 9:11 pace)
Dec 28 – 5.20 miles (56:03, 10:47 pace) – Hill Repeats
Dec 29 – 3.10 miles (49:54, 7:52 pace) – Speed Work
Dec 31 – 5.20 miles (42:44, 8:13 pace) – Tempo Run
Jan 1 – 5.10 miles (50:18, 9:52 pace)
Jan 2 – 8.50 miles (1:21:04, 9:32 pace)
Jan 3 – 4.50 miles (40:29, 9:00 pace)
Jan 4 – 5.80 miles (1:03:25, 10:56 pace) – Hill Repeats
Jan 5 – 3.10 miles (24:43, 7:58 pace) – Speed Work
Jan 7 – 3.10 miles (27:18, 8:47 pace) – Tempo Run
Jan 8 – 4.10 miles (37:13, 9:04 pace)
Jan 9 – 9.50 miles (1:34:30, 9:57 pace)
Jan 10 – 4.50 miles (41:00, 8:08 pace)
Total Miles: 163.30 miles
2020 Total Miles: 1,767.10 miles
Total Miles: 48.20 miles
2020 Total Miles: 48.20 miles
