Positivity
I bet, if you are like me, that the last 6-8 weeks has been unusual and revealing. The events surrounding the pandemic involve something we can't see. Most importantly, other than washing our hands and staying at home, we have no control over these events. Most of us are not the type of people who do well accepting we have no control. Coming to accept that has been the big breakthrough that has allowed me to see and experience life in a much more positive way. Coincidentally, in finding positives, and being positive, I have found the one thing I really can control. My attitude is much happier and my thoughts are more focused.
What Do You Mean That We Can Find Positive In A Pandemic?
Maintaining Health
In the first week of the stay at home orders Jennifer, our son, and me all decided we were not going to let the fact that our gym and school being closed cause us to become unhealthy. The 10-year-old treadmill was pulled out of mothballs and moved to a more attractive setting than a storage room. Our son started trolling through Ebay to find used weights. We owned some exercise mats and before we knew it, we had created our own little gym in our basement. Staying healthy was not going to take a hit during this time!
In fact, there is a good chance we are all going to come out of this healthier!
Family Dinners
With a high school aged son, and our busy lives, before the pandemic the three of us rarely ever sat down together for a meal. We now have dinner together every night. Sometimes Jennifer prepares a delicious meal and sometimes we support our local struggling restaurants. But, we all commune at the same time and eat.
I realized recently that in some ways we are living life like the 1950's again? Centered on finding contentment in our home, family, and a few neighbors. A reminder of how important real estate, particularly home, is to everybody. And even more so in this time.
People Helping People
Sure, this is not new. But it really seems to be happening in all walks of life now. We all are checking in on people who are alone or might need help. I find myself in many conversations about who needs help and how we can help. I read stories of goodwill each and every day on all the medias. It seems like we are all concerned more about our fellow humans than in the past.
Attitude
The dog gets walked every day. He is appreciative. Lots of dogs in our neighborhood are walked every day. I'm sure you are seeing the same thing. This is not really what is new. What I have noticed, each and every day, are people who I do not recognize, walking their dog or children, seem to be happy doing so. They look at me and we all wave ( appropriate social distancing of course) and exchange a pleasantry. This just makes me feel better and it is such a simple act.
Most importantly, it is truly different than before the pandemic. Sad, but I am absolutely certain people seem more friendly than just a couple of months ago.
Connections
Imagine if the pandemic happened in the 1980's! Not a huge revelation here but technology is a game changer. I know it is not quite the same as being in a room with another living person, but it has provided the ability to connect in a way not really experienced before.
We have gotten together on Zoom with all of our kids and their spouses and grandkids. On Easter we taught both Grandmas how to use Zoom and had a massive call. I was part of a Zoom happy hour with a bunch of my best friends from high school who live all over the country. We all are reaching out and connecting with loved ones and reconnecting with people who we have had much more limited communication.
Business
It all comes around to how we make a living. And I recognize this pandemic has hit all of us in different ways. Similar to the incredible house clean-out we have performed over the last weeks, our business has had some extra time to sort and implement. We are working on some projects that we did not always have time to consider. We have also found that we can use technology in even better ways than we were already accustomed.
When this passes, we should all be prepared for the tremendous opportunities that inevitably occur in a rebuilding. Just think about that and start asking yourself where do you want to be? Will expanding your real estate portfolio make sense? Or is it time to consider other investments? There is no right answer but today is a great day to begin planning.
Positivity and Reality
None of these examples are meant to diminish the scope of what is happening with a health crisis throughout the world. We are blessed to continue to stay well. I'm sure that not being sick makes it much easier to find the positive. Nor am I advocating any support for the continuation of stay-at-home policies as we are living it today.
What I hope is each of us learns something during this time that we want to make a permanent part of our lives. I do believe we can all make our own little difference in the world, even if we are not a medical professional. Staying positive and finding the beauty of each day is certainly a state of mind that requires practice. When you take a second to consider how there has been good in this time, it is easier to stay positive. It is easy to be negative and feel helpless. It is a harder decision to spread optimism and positivity!
There really is so much positive around us. Don't miss it!
Be kind to one another, stay safe, be healthy and STAY AT HOME so we can be together soon!
Joel Wilmoth and the WILMOTH Team | 
