MUSINGS and other writing by Mark Kolke

. . . . . . there is no edge to openness

TODAY'S MUSINGS

FEEDBACK / COMMENTS

MARK SPEAKS

MARK'S SPEAKING TIPS

ARCHIVED COLUMNS

ARCHIVE WINTER 2020-21

ARCHIVE AUTUMN 2020

ARCHIVE SUMMER 2020

ARCHIVE SPRING 2020

ARCHIVE WINTER 2019-20

ARCHIVE AUTUMN 2019

ARCHIVE SUMMER 2019

ARCHIVE SPRING 2019

ARCHIVE WINTER 2018-19

ARCHIVE AUTUMN 2018

ARCHIVE SUMMER 2018

ARCHIVE SPRING 2018

ARCHIVE WINTER 2017-18

ARCHIVE AUTUMN 2017

ARCHIVE SUMMER 2017

ARCHIVE SPRING 2017

ARCHIVE WINTER 2016/17

ARCHIVE AUTUMN 2016

ARCHIVE SUMMER 2016

ARCHIVE SPRING 2016

ARCHIVE WINTER 2015/16

ARCHIVE AUTUMN 2015

ARCHIVE SUMMER 2015

ARCHIVE SPRING 2015

ARCHIVE WINTER 2014/15

ARCHIVE AUTUMN 2014

ARCHIVE SUMMER 2014

ARCHIVE SPRING 2014

ARCHIVE WINTER 2013/14

CONTACT

MY REAL ESTATE LIFE

WHY I WRITE MUSINGS

SHORT STORY PROJECT

POETRY PROJECT

SELECTED OTHER WORK

     
 

WAKE UP CALL

Monday, January 4, 2021 - daily column # 6627
 
 
Living with COVID, living through COVID, living …
 
COVID is living in us, with us, around us, and sadly for way too many people – it’s killing them.
 
Just as we understand the best of times and the worst of times, it isn’t only those times we are living in/through and the safe-distanced experiences we are sharing or have in common.
 
This virus has taken up residence and doesn’t want to get out of the house. Just as house-guests often overstay their welcome, and it’s time we gave COVID the boot. That’s complex, involves submitting to medical/government rules and guidance, waiting for vaccines, better treatments, and miracle cures …
 
That whole bundle might keep us safe, but will it make us well?
 
If we successfully avoid COVID, what are we missing by being so distracted?
 
Aren’t we missing out on fresh ideas, dreams, experiments, adventures, invention, creativity, and bold initiatives?
 
Business unusual used to be a catchy phrase – one that would make you chuckle. We’ve had business unusual for nearly a year now thanks to COVID-19, with little hope we’ll return to anything usual anytime soon.
 
So what defines usual?
 
Why is unusual any kind of assessment guide?
 
Just as amendments to circumstances can change everything (a winning lottery ticket, a losing diagnosis, landing a great job or a big fish, falling flat, falling into our out of love), we have a collective 8.0 billion of us changing circumstances. Should we go with the flow, like those schools of fish, or not?
 
What is high risk?
 
What is low risk?
 
Waking up is a risk?
 
Failing to wake up is that other thing.
 
 

Reader feedback:
JUST STUFF
Most of the things I want to do this year are qualified by “If we can put this pandemic in the rear view mirror“.  Feels like the world is in standby mode, RH, Calgary, AB
PLEAS OF THE COMMON MALE
Happy New Year. Hi Mark. Wishing you all the best in 2021. Although it may be the year of Mad Max. I think i will have to revisit that movie. I came home March 9th from Mexico and into isolation for the rest of the year. I didn’t really mind it. I have the garden, pool and dogs so i was generally content and happy. I picked Brussels sprouts in a downpour for my hockey game pizza yesterday. I really enjoy having garden fresh food all year round. Had beets for Christmas dinner and the last of my Poblano peppers as well. Time to start the seedlings for spring. Retirement is peaceful and the days fly by. How are you doing? Big hugs, DB, Vancouver, BC

 


 
sign up to get Musings free daily

 


 
 


sign up to get Musings free daily


Comments are always welcome - please contribute to the discussion.  Reply to: kolke@markkolke.com

You can also connect with me on LinkedIn. This site is updated daily, each column is retained in the archive when the next day's column is loaded ...  


Copyright - all rights reserved - Mark Kolke, © 2003-2021