I guess we all needed to Unplug...my sabbatical has spread worldwide....

"We must never forget that we may also find meaning in life even when confronted with a hopeless situation, when facing a fate that cannot be changed"-Viktor E. Frankl I think the key phrase in this is that our situation "cannnot be changed." None of us no longer have control.

We are all streaming up shits creek! Beyonce's famous line "World Stop" has actually happened. The beauty of it all is that we are in it together. I'm currently sitting on the couch watching my Mother work from home while bopping my head to Johnnie Taylor. This is NOT our norm.

Normal is gone, and there is nothing we can do about it but surrender and adapt. Before the pandemic, I spent my days finding more about myself while subbing and indulging in a side hustle. I've since been laid off, so now I cook elaborate meals, listen to music, read, cry, and talk to family and friends. The tears aren't for self pity, but for the souls in the world who are facing worse calamities that I've ever seen. I was supposed to be ending my sabbatical in Bali. I was supposed to chase waterfalls, eat yummy veggies and fruit, walk terraces filled with the nature God intended us to have, and have my body caressed and massaged by those blessed by the best. Instead my flight was cancelled and I was instructed to quarantine with my family. At first it felt like a major loss...I'm starting however to see that there are blessings in each twist.

I teach a unit on the Holocaust every year to my 5th graders. The main question my girls have each time is how Anne Frank even had time to like a boy when so much bad stuff was happening outside to innocent people. I've always struggled to explain to children the various ways that people cope. Finding normalcy in a disaster is how some people get through it. And its ok!

I find myself wanting to plan the next year of my life. We are in a stage of uncertainty and having control over something soothes the human spirit. On top of that, I'm finding amazing recipes to cook so that I can get better at cuisine and art. I think this was a bad time for a sabbatical, but what can I do about it now?!? I'm in it with no job and no idea how the next months will play out, but I have peace. Can't explain it, just know that it could be worse and that is enough to sustain me.

If I can find time to smile so can you. I'm gonna leave this rant with a few tips on how to navigate these uncharted waters:

1. Indulge in a hobby that you normally don't have time for. Mine has been blogging. I now have the time to properly write down my thoughts before I form a post.

2. Try new recipes. I have been cooking yall!! I even went as far as making some fried shallots to put on my burger. It has been so much fun cooking and plating my food.

3. Clean out your closet! I’ve been going through my clothes organizing my attire. Whenever we get out of our quarantine I will be ready to rock some cute outfits. This would be a great time to try on things, sort, and create a donation pile.

4. Connect with loved ones. I have been doing a lot of FaceTime chats. I'm an extrovert and this social distancing is killing me. I like people. I love hanging and talking. I've been bugging everyone with calls. I just need to hear voices and see people's faces lol.

5. Enhance your education. There are a lot of amazing courses being offered right now through edX and Courera. I'm taking two courses my self to peak my interests. They are actually really good.

6. Work it out! There are so many amazing workout videos on YouTube and Instagram. I love them all. Just google the popular ones.

7. Journal or blog. It has truly been my best therapy. Getting those feelings out is the key period.

8. Edit photos or videos that have been stagnant in your photo gallery. I've been looking at so much stuff going down memory lane. It's actually soothing.

9. Create a budget. The Budgenista is amazing! Please google and follow her. She has so many cool tips.

10. Tik Tok. It seems like everyone is jumping on board to this site. I think I will check it out soon.

11. Create a vision board. This is the perfect time to write down goals that you have for your life. You can create a board with a poster or you can make one digitally. It will definitely get your juices flowing.

12. Color, Read, Paint, or do a Puzzle. You have time! The world is yours.

13. Attend one of the amazing Live parties on Instagram. Dj DNICE sets be lit I was literally dancing in my room and living room with a glass of wine for hours.

Ultimately we don't know how long this will last. We do know that we need all the positive energy to get through it. Try a suggestion or two and see how you feel. As always sending love and light....