June 2020

A season of change, figuratively and literally. The US is in tumultuous times as June rolled by. We were all hoping for the light at the end of this Rona “tunnel” with part of the country re-opening. Then mass chaos as an uprising formed in the aftermath of George Floyd’s tragic death from police brutality. My family and I have had plenty of tough conversations and have felt many emotions as we wade through these times. We are a patriotic family, if ever there was one. Most members of our family have served in the military, and we take our freedoms seriously. It saddens my heart to see what is happening in cities across this country. I hope and pray that cool heads can come together and productively create the kind of change that makes our country great, and her people deserve. Is it perfect? No, how can it be, when we are all living lives by the flesh, rather than the Holy Spirit. Not to say Christians are holier-than-though. It’s a hard path to walk, when you live in the world, but are not “of the world”. When Godly morals and righteousness are said to be close-minded or judgmental by the masses. Why do so many think that skin color dictates your worth? We are all just shades of brown in the human race, loved by God. Jesus was born, lived, died, and rose again so that ALL may be saved. ALL means ALL! I have one small voice in this world, and I’m learning to use it to reach the hearts and souls of those whom I interact with, in real life (IRL) or virtually. You matter, and Jesus will save your soul if you ask him to.

 In June we also transitioned to the official summer season. Days are getting longer, weather getting sticky and everyone wants to be out of doors. And not just because we’ve been told to stay home since March. My in-studio instruction has begun again, with a slow start back that was to be expected, but wished it really wasn’t. Social distancing is do-able, cleaning is at an all-time high, you could practically eat off the mats. Outdoor morning mat sessions at the beach has been fun as well, no masks necessary! More than enough space and fresh air, usually with sunshine to boot. As the days got closer to re-opening I did have to check in with my emotions. They came flooding into my mind from both sides of the coin. Questions swirling in my head, if anyone even wanted to come back to my class? Can we just keep doing virtual a little while longer? Could I catch the virus, or spread it to someone else? I am truly going to miss all this time with my family. Am I going to feel as flustered for time, and tired as pre-covid? Is it even okay or valid for me to be feeling all this? I really am grateful daily, for all my blessings, and I did get to be home safe and healthy. Even when the pile of shoes at the front door would look like a ridiculous mess. But I had an epiphany… about the shoes. How could I be upset by the pile, when the fact that there WAS a pile, meant that we were all home. Our family has spent many occasions apart, especially for my husband’s job. The shoe cubby by the front door would hold very few pairs, because not everyone got to come home everyday. But now, NOW there are too many shoes for all of them to fit. We have the provision for more than one pair for each of us, that’s a blessing for sure! But to look at the silver lining of family being home, as messy as it seems, makes my heart joyful. How has Coivd-19 changed your outlook? Have you had to re-frame your thoughts or emotions for a better perspective? What are your plans now that summer is here? I hope you have been healthy and have felt safe where you are.

Thanks for reading,

Carla Bowling