Out With The Old, In With The New

The new normal. We've been hearing that phrase a lot lately, right? Things that we were used to doing a certain way and places we were used to going have been adjusted and shifted. A new normal has definitely been about looking at and learning a new way of doing things. For my brother and I though, a new normal started before the quarantine hit our nation. Our new normal started on January 18th of this year when our Mom passed away. We had to make adjustments and look at things with a different perspective. We've had to embrace our new normal, which is not always easy. Yet, we are still pressing day by day and taking steps forward in the right direction. So thankful to God for the progress we've made and the blessings we have! Now our nation is learning to embrace a new normal. We're seeing that's not always easy either. Since trips outside the house are limited or not at all, we are learning to pick up the phone more and call people to hear that voice. We are learning to be more intentional in our connections. We are learning to be more aware of what's going on around us as our senses have been more heightened and alerted. For some, you may be really enjoying your outside time in your yard or on your deck or porch. Maybe you were rushing in and out of the house so much before that you never took time to enjoy the fresh air or notice certain flowers blooming. But now you are really starting to notice! What if the new normal is really about getting a different perspective and noticing things that you never noticed before? What if it is about letting go of the old and embracing the new? What if God is using this new normal to help us get to the place He wants us to be at? I hope you know that God is allowing this quarantine season for a reason. So as difficult as it is, let's work on embracing the new normal. Get a new mindset with thoughts that line up with the Word of God. Get a new attitude that says I'm going to do my best and make the best of each moment. Find the bright spots and blessings in disguise daily. Work on a new skill or improving on a skill you have already have. Get a new idea or plan that could benefit others or yourself. Figure out a new way to save and budget money, shop and stretch meals. Try a new style or fashion trend. Get a new appreciation for the people in your life and life itself. What if that is what the new normal is all about? If it wasn't for the new normal, I would not have stepped out and tried the new hairstyle I did. I would not be wearing my natural curls right now. I had been thinking about it for a while, but never did until the new normal came along. I'm so glad I did because I absolutely love my new hairstyle! Out of it, I have learned how to do 2 strand twists to get my hair curly. It's given me a boost of confidence and allowing me to keep loving the woman I am and becoming. Maybe some of you have learned something new or learned how to do a new skill as well. Perhaps you've learned something new about your family members you live with or you got back to an interest or hobby or dream you once gave up on. God is about making all things new and giving us a fresh start. By not wanting to embrace the new, we could be missing out on the greatest blessings of our life! Yes- keep taking precautions and use wisdom and caution in your daily routines. Yes- I miss not being able to hug, talk to people up close and attend the gatherings and events I enjoy. But I also know that something great is coming after all of this is over. So how about it? Let's start seeing the new normal as a new start. Dream again. Love again. Forgive again. Get new ideas. Get back to working on goals you set aside. Start working on a brand new goal. Believe greater is on the other side. A greater appreciation for who and what we have. Believe your life will be changed for the better when it's all said and done. Believe that when the gatherings do start happening again, there will be so much joy and love shown like never before. Life will never be the same! So what do you say? New normal= new start!