Here is what I learned during COVID-19 (with pictures) and I would love for you to share in the comment section what you have learned.

COVID-19 Brought out the Best and the Worst in People

The pandemic has been an interesting behavior study. I’ve got good news and bad news. First the bad news.

I learned how people reacted when panicked: 1) with the hoarding of toilet paper and other supplies for fear of not having enough and 2) how people are influenced by others to do the same… like hoarding toilet paper. ; ) Others are doing it, maybe I should too.

Neighbors Supporting Neighbors During COVID-19

On the flip side of the above, I learned about the goodness that can come from adversity by seeing and continuing to see many acts of kindness. People are helping their neighbors (who they had, sadly, never met before) and helping total strangers in so many ways.

I Learned How We All Need Each Other

I learned how significant and connected we all are. “Essential” workers became more than healthcare workers and grocery store personnel. The pandemic brought to my awareness all the jobs that are essential from farmers to the truck drivers, to train operators, to delivery people.

It brought to my awareness the industries that I took for granted like the travel industry, sports, and so many entertainment platforms. Then there are the companies that keep our communication services going, the Internet, phone service.

I would like to consider myself to be a very grateful person, but I didn’t realize how much of the services I depend on to live and the vast amount of people behind them that I took for granted.

I Learned How Much of our Culture is Made Up of Entertainment

There is nothing wrong with being entertained. We need entertainment to relax, to be inspired, to relieve stress, to feel a sense of belonging (playing a game or watching sports), to laugh, for people to express their talents, and for so many other reasons.

But when COVID-19 shut the world down, I didn’t realize how much of our culture is made up of so many forms of entertainment. Sports, travel, movies, television shows, music venues, restaurants, all forms of in person concerts, were all gone. The exception? Gaming. I’m not a gamer, but I read an article where gaming was predicted to gross $160 billion in revenue.

The millions of people affected by the loss of employment in these industries as well as the billions of dollars in revenue lost is almost unimaginable.

I stumbled on this quote from author, A. W. Tozier, in his book The Root of the Righteous, written in the 1950’s.

The present inordinate attachment to every form of entertainment is evidence that the inner life of modern man is in serious decline. The average man has no central core of moral assurance, no spring within his own breast, no inner strength to place him above the need for repeated psychological shots to give him the courage to go on living. He has become a parasite on the world, drawing his life from his environment, unable to live a day apart from the stimulation which society affords him.

This was decades before smart phones, social media, and thousands of apps and channels to watch. Makes you think.

I Learned How Creative People Got During COVID-19

One of my favorite shows for entertainment and inspiration, is CBS Sunday Morning. I hope you will click on this link to the Rube Goldberg Contraption Contest and Award winner. Talk about fun and creative! If you enjoyed playing the game Mouse Trap, you will love these real life and life-sized counterparts.

There were many driveway art projects throughout our neighborhood.

I got creative in the kitchen, pulling out all the recipes I had collected throughout the years and finally making them.

I Learned How Important Community Is Even through Technology

I learned how community is SO important – whether it’s keeping in touch with friends, attending worship services online, or being a part of a group. God created us to be in community.

Even though we are forced to be in community from afar, I am so grateful for technology during this time to stay connected.

Robert and I are very involved with our church and sing in the choir of 60 members. We miss getting together in person and singing together on Thursday nights for practice and Sunday mornings for worship. As for many, Zoom has been a great resource to stay connected along with email, texts, and phone calls.

I Learned the Each Day is a Gift

I learned that even though we say to “live each day like it’s your last,” each day is so precious. Each day is a gift. The Don Henley song lyrics say, “In a New York minute, everything can change.” Everything changed.

Through COVID-19 I Learned How Important My Faith Is

Especially important is having the peace of Christ in the midst of such uncertainty. In a world where it becomes increasingly hard to find the truth, we can trust in God’s Word. It is our constant beacon, leading us, encouraging us, comforting us, assuring us.

While the world is constantly changing, while we are changing (no one is getting younger), we can find comfort and strength in Psalm 46:1-2:

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change.

What have you learned from COVID-19? I’d love for you to share in the comment section below (it’s way below).