Just Say When… Why Can’t They Just Tell Us?

Let’s talk about ‘when?’ for a minute. We’re so used to being able to just say when and get the result. But that’s not the case right now, and it’s knocking us off our game.

‘When?’ is the schedule question in the ever reliable who-what-where-when-why-and-how formula. It’s the “How long will it take?” or “Are we there yet?” question.

We simply are not able to know when and that’s very hard for us to accept.

But just the same, when depends largely on us. On what we’re willing to do, and on what many others are not willing to do.

Many aspects of the COVID-19 crisis have left us unsettled, to put it mildly.

In a world that’s always rushing, we believe we can just hurry things up. You know… Get. Them. Done. We believe our lives can be “crafted” on the go through a skillful combination of reacting and thoughtful planning. Usually more reacting.

I don’t mind sharing that I’m having a hard day today.

Last night I had dozed off while watching television. When I woke up around midnight, I decided to torture myself with more news before going upstairs. An hour and a half more to be precise.

I’ve seen the coronavirus crisis as serious from early on. I think it was the night I saw deserted streets in China on the evening news that made the first noticeable dent in my skull.

But this particular newscast became my deer-in-the-headlights moment.

What exactly created that feeling is not important. I’ve noticed stepping through a measured process of wrapping my head around the situation one level at a time. I’m pretty sure we’re all doing this in our own way.

And I know my hard day is relative. I know it pales in comparison. Tomorrow will be better in many ways and not in others. Still, I’m counting on feeling better. But, at a different level of understanding… of acceptance.

Back to that nagging question of ‘when?’

We’ll just have to see it through before anyone will know.

I wish I could remember who taught me this, but the best approach to not being able to know ‘when’ is to create an imaginary parking lot to keep those worries and concerns that are for the time being… out of your reach.

Actually Write. Each. One. Down. This puts your lizard brain at ease knowing you won’t forget. Then it can let go… so you can let go.

We have now… then we have just ahead… Both of these are real and manageable. And then we have what we won’t know for a while and what we cannot control. Park those in that lot and save them for another day.

Until then, take some time for the people you love and the activities that make you happy. The ones that fill you up instead of squeezing out that last drop of heart and soul. It’s about investing in the experiences that are important to you and to those close to you… in doing the things that matter most.

Let’s look forward to more of those times… they’ll be back soon.

So, do your best not to worry about ‘when?’ When will come.

Be well. Be patient. Be untucked.

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